After nearly five years away from the mic, Jamaican-born, Atlanta-raised IAmTheGenius is back—and he’s coming in hard. With the drop of his first single in half a decade, “Ex On My Text,” IAmTheGenius isn’t just returning as an artist; he’s also spotlighting his trailblazing work as a successful black entrepreneur in the independent music space.
“I believe rap has undergone a significant reset,” he reflects, explaining his decision to break his hiatus. “Music, in general, is a sport to me, and it requires immense dedication to compete at a high level. Even during my hiatus, I was relentlessly working in the studio to improve.” With over 500 recorded tracks in his vault, IAmTheGenius is convinced that the current digital landscape—with its evolving platform algorithms—is ripe for artists who can consistently deliver.
But the return to the recording booth is only part of his story. Over the last five years, IAmTheGenius has been busy building an empire with Monopoly Distribution—a platform he envisioned as a means for artists and labels to build sustainable businesses and generate real revenue. “I’ve witnessed too many talented artists work tirelessly on their music, only to struggle financially,” he explains. Starting with a focus on marketing, the platform has since evolved into a full-fledged distribution service, complete with a suite of tools designed to help independent artists scale their careers.
Building Monopoly Distribution into a powerhouse was a hurdle to climb. “Navigating the landscape of streaming and the music industry is no small feat,” he says. “Many artists aspire to be independent but lack the understanding of how to build an independent business. Educating them, especially those transitioning from major label systems, has been a significant challenge.” His personal experience as an artist, combined with the hurdles of funding and rapidly changing technology, has been instrumental in shaping the success of his platform.
Coinciding with his musical return, IAmTheGenius strategically launched Monopoly Grow last month (in March 2025). “It was definitely a strategic move to return to music at the same time,” he explains. “I now possess all the necessary tools to grow my career without intermediaries. I can effectively use the platform we’ve created as a case study with my own music.” With AI rapidly transforming the music industry, he believes there’s never been a better time for an all-in-one solution that empowers independent artists.
Balancing the dual roles of artist and label head presents its own set of challenges, but for IAmTheGenius, the synergy between the two is undeniable. “When I get frustrated with business matters, I can channel that emotion into making music,” he confides. “It’s also a valuable experiment—I can analyze the data to see what resonates with my audience and create more music in that vein. Balancing both roles is challenging but also incredibly rewarding and fun for me.”
As “Ex On My Text” marks his long-anticipated return, IAmTheGenius makes it clear that this is just the beginning. “This is definitely the start of a new era. I’m now able to be more personal and vulnerable in my music. Without the pressure of needing music to survive, it alleviates a lot of creative constraints. I don’t feel obligated to create a hit single; I can simply be myself, GENIUS.”
With a fresh single, a groundbreaking platform, and an empire that’s redefining independent music, IAmTheGenius is proving that the best is yet to come—both in the studio and in the boardroom.
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Photo Credit: Provided by IAmTheGenius
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