MonoNeon

Dywane Eric Thomas Jr., known professionally as MonoNeon, was born on August 6, 1990, in Memphis, Tennessee. Raised in Orange Mound, he emerged from a musical family; his father, Dywane Thomas, was a bassist who played with The Bar-Kays and Pops Staples, while his grandfather, Charles Thomas, was a jazz pianist. MonoNeon began playing bass at age four, self-taught, often performing in church and practicing in his grandmother’s living room. By age 11 or 12, he was performing bass solos with The Bar-Kays. His early career also included mentorship from gospel singer Shea Norman at 16. During a period at Berklee College of Music, he studied microtonality and collaborated with David Fiuczynski, which significantly influenced his unique musical direction. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his distinctive approach to bass playing and musical composition.

MonoNeon’s career progressed with several significant milestones and collaborations. In 2010, he played bass on Ne-Yo’s “Libra Scale” album and Forest Won’s “Directions.” The same year, he contributed to GospelChops Bass Sessionz Vol.1 alongside notable bassists. In 2012, he released his solo avant-garde album, “Down-to-Earth Art,” under the MonoNeon moniker and joined David Fiuczynski and Planet Microjam. The year 2013 saw the release of his microtonal album “Southern Visionary” and “Uncle Curtis Answered The Lobster Telephone.” A significant turning point occurred in 2015 when Prince hired him as his bassist, making MonoNeon one of the last musicians to work with Prince before his passing in 2016. During this period, Prince produced MonoNeon’s single “Ruff Enuff.” In 2017, MonoNeon joined the Miles Electric Band and performed at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Kat Graham. His work on Nas’s 2020 album “King’s Disease” earned him a Grammy Award for his contributions as bassist and additional producer on “All Bad,” credited as ‘MnoNeon’.

Beyond his collaborations, MonoNeon has cultivated a distinct personal brand and expanded his influence through signature products and continued musical output. He is known for his experimental compositions and playing style, which incorporates microtonality, as seen in his custom quarter-tone bass built by Tim Cloonan of CallowHill Guitars. His visual aesthetic, characterized by vibrant quilted outfits, high-visibility colors, and crochet masks, mirrors his unconventional musical approach. In 2022, Fender released the MonoNeon Jazz Bass V Signature, reflecting his impact on the music industry. Following this, DigiTech collaborated with him on the MonoNeon Whammy pedal, featuring unique octave blend modes and HyperSonic pitch shifting. MonoNeon continues to release original music, including his 2024 album “Quilted Stereo,” and has produced music for comedian Katt Williams, further showcasing his diverse artistic range. His commitment to innovation and distinctive style has earned him recognition from peers like Flea, who referred to him as “the greatest fucking electric bass player.”