I recently got a chance to catch up with Montu-Ra again and find out what’s new in his world these days. He made a significant career move at the end of 2023 by relocating to the Netherlands. This relocation was driven by his desire to dedicate all his time to his music, with a specific focus on enhancing his skills in DJing and integrating house and hip-hop music into his repertoire. This move for Montu-Ra helped immerse himself in a new environment, drawing inspiration for his musical development. The Netherlands, known for its vibrant electronic music scene and as a hub for many successful DJs and producers, offered him the perfect environment for his creative growth.
Montu-Ra’s (formally known as MPEEZE) recent interests and activities have moved him to deepen his artistic process and personal development. The name Montu-Ra is particularly meaningful in this context. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Montu was a deity associated with war, often depicted as a falcon-headed god. The addition of “Ra”, the name of the ancient Egyptian sun god, further emphasizes the name with a sense of power and divinity. This combination symbolizes strength, resilience, and a commanding presence, aligning with what Montu-Ra wants to convey with his music and creativity. Montu-Ra’s research into the meaning of his given name, Marcus, and delving into numerology, offers him a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world. Adding numerology gave him insight into a name that resonates with his personal journey and artistic vision. This transition reflects a significant phase of his life and career with a shift towards a more introspective, culturally rooted, and spiritually informed approach to his music.
Montu-Ra continued his creative journey in the Netherlands by immersing himself in reading about Tesla and exploring the 369 method, which is associated with ideas of energy, frequency, and vibration. His creative journey embraced seeking a deeper understanding of the fundamentals that influence his music creation.
The 369 method, often linked to Nikola Tesla’s fascination with these numbers, is sometimes referenced as related to personal growth, manifestation, and understanding of universal patterns. Montu-Ra revealed his exploration of these metaphysical and philosophical ideas to evolve his creative process. Montu-Ra’s integration of the 369 method alongside a focused dive into house music and hip-hop brings to light the expansion of his technical and stylistic range with a unique personal touch. This holistic and introspective approach to music-making leads Montu-Ra to create innovative and authentic artistic expressions, setting his work apart in the house and hip-hop music genre.
Fans get even more exciting news for Montu-Ra with the release of a new single on February 22nd and this single will also serve as an introduction to the kind of sound and themes in his upcoming tour. The tour promises Montu-Ra’s connection with his fans and new music influenced by house, hip-hop, and his Egyptian and Ethiopian heritage. Can’t wait to hear more from Montu-Ra!
Check out the links below to follow all things Montu-Ra!
Montu-Ra’s Podcast
3-6-9 – Single
Follow Montu-Ra on IG
Montu-Ra follows a vegan diet and his food experiences in the Netherlands perfectly align with his preference for healthier, cleaner eating habits and whole, less processed foods. He particularly loves a vegan tray bake with plant-based cheese that makes for a delicious and healthy meal option. The availability of fresh, chemical-free foods provides Montu-Ra with a wide variety of diverse and flavorful ingredients for vegan dishes. I loved the vegan tray bake idea from Montu-Ra and while researching ideas for inspiration, I came upon a delicious recipe from The Lazy Cat Kitchen. The basil cream sauce in the recipe to follow is addictive to both vegans and non-vegans alike. A creamy cashew sauce infused with basil, roasted garlic, and white miso paste combined for a perfect dipping sauce for fresh, roasted veggies. Check out the recipe below!
Vegan Tray Bake with Veggies & Basil Cream Sauce
Ingredients for Tray Bake
- 2 1/2 cups golden mini potatoes, scrubbed clean and sliced in half
- 2 tbsp EVOO
- 1 cup broccolini
- 1 cup asparagus spears
- 1 12 oz package of Extra Firm Tofu, sliced
- 2 spring onions,only white and light green parts
- 4 garlic cloves, skin on
- 1 tbsp capers, chopped
- zest of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper, taste
- 1 tbsp Kinder Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning (feel free to use seasoning of choice here)
Ingredients for Basil Cream Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for one hour
- 1/2 cup water
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 15 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1/2 tbsp white miso paste
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Preheat the oven to 375° F and prep a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Coat your potatoes in 2 tsp of EVOO.
- Arrange them on the baking tray, cut side down, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Coat broccolini, asparagus, spring onions, and unpeeled garlic cloves in a small amount of EVOO.
- After 15 minutes in the oven, flip the potatoes to the other side. Season the tofu with the Kinder seasoning and then add tofu, spring onions, and garlic cloves to the tray. Roast veggies for 15 minutes.
- Take potatoes off the tray (keep them warm) to make room for the veggies. Remove garlic cloves and spring onions from the tray too.
- Place broccolini and asparagus spears on the tray next to tofu.
- Bake for another 15 minutes. While the veggies are baking, make the cream.
- Add potatoes back to the tray, spread chopped capers on everything, and season with salt and pepper and lemon zest. Serve with a side of basil cream.
Basil Cream Sauce Directions
- Place roasted spring onions, squeezed-out roasted garlic cloves, drained cashews, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of water in a small blender. Blend until smooth.
- Blend in basil, capers, miso, nutritional yeast, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with your roasted veggies for dipping and it keeps for about 4 days in the fridge.
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