In this episode of pplpod, we sit down with Mon Rovîa (Janjay Lowe), the genre-bending artist defining Afro-Appalachian folk music. We trace his incredible path from his birthplace in Monrovia, Liberia, to his adoption and upbringing in the mountains of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he first discovered the power of the ukulele and guitar.

We dive deep into his artistic evolution, moving from early hip-hop influences to the acoustic sounds that fueled his viral success on TikTok and led to his recognition as a Spotify "Juniper Artist to Watch". Mon Rovîa breaks down his conceptual four-part EP series based on the hero's journey—including Act 3: The Dying of Self and Act 4: Atonement—and discusses his missio ...