MonoNeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dywane Thomas Jr.
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Dywane Thomas Jr. ("MonoNeon", formerly known as "Polyneon")
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| Birth name | Dywane Eric Thomas Jr. |
| Also known as | MonoNeon Polyneon Dwayne Thomas DJ |
| Born | August 6, 1990 Memphis, Tennessee |
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Dywane Eric Thomas Jr. (born August 6, 1990), known by his stage name MonoNeon, is an American bassist, singer, and songwriter. He is famous for his unique style of playing and his experimental music. Experimental music means creating sounds and songs that are different from what you usually hear.
MonoNeon has gained a large online following for his creative projects. He has worked with many famous artists, including the legendary musician Prince. In fact, MonoNeon was the last bass player Prince hired before he passed away in 2016. He also played bass on the song "Makin' A Movie" by Ne-Yo and on an EP by Georgia Anne Muldrow.
He is well-known for his popular online videos where he plays bass along with viral videos. He is also known for using microtonality, which involves playing the notes that are "in-between" the standard notes on a piano. In 2025, MonoNeon produced and performed on the song "God Reason," which featured Katt Williams, George Clinton, and James Fauntleroy.
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Early Life and Learning
Thomas grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, in a family full of musicians. His father was also a bass player. He started playing the bass guitar when he was only four years old and taught himself how to play. By the time he was 11 or 12, he was already performing on stage with the famous funk group, the Bar-Kays.
Later, he attended the Berklee College of Music for a short time. There, he played with the musician David Fiuczynski. After leaving Berklee in 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to perform with Fiuczynski.
Unique Musical Style
MonoNeon has a very special way of playing the bass that makes him stand out. His creative style is not just in his music but also in his fashion, as he often wears brightly colored outfits and masks.
How He Plays the Bass
Even though MonoNeon is right-handed, he plays a right-handed bass guitar upside down, as if he were left-handed. This allows him to bend the strings in a powerful way. His slapping technique is also unique because he does it upside down. He uses his thumb for slaps and his fingers for pops, but in a way that's different from most players.
Sometimes, he even uses mistakes he makes while playing. If he plays a wrong note by accident, he can quickly turn it into a cool and interesting part of the music. Famous bassists like Marcus Miller have praised his one-of-a-kind talent.
Experimental Music and Art
MonoNeon is inspired by avant-garde art movements like Dadaism, which used everyday objects to create art. He does something similar with his instruments, which he calls "readymade bass." He often covers the top of his bass (the headstock) with a sock and decorates the body with colorful tape and other items.
His music often uses ideas from conceptual art, where the idea behind the music is as important as the sound itself. For example, he has created music by playing his bass along with a random AM/FM radio station. His work with microtonal music, using notes that are not on a standard keyboard, also shows his experimental side.
Working with Prince
In 2015, MonoNeon's career reached a new level when he started playing bass for Prince. He performed with Prince and his band at Prince's famous home and studio, Paisley Park.
In January 2016, they released an instrumental track called Ruff Enuff. The track was recorded and released in just four and a half days. Prince produced the song and played keyboards on it. A note released with the song said that MonoNeon and the band "murder the funk!" and that their sound was irresistible. Playing with Prince was a major highlight of MonoNeon's career.
Career Highlights
- In 2009, he was featured in a special project called GospelChops Bass Sessionz Vol.1 with other great bass players.
- In 2010, he played bass on the album Libra Scale by the Grammy-winning artist Ne-Yo.
- His popular YouTube videos, like his bass cover of the Green Hill Zone theme from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game, have been watched by thousands of people.
- In 2014, he performed with the band Screaming Headless Torsos at a jazz festival in Mexico.
- He received a Grammy nomination for his work on Cory Henry's album "Operation Funk." He was a writer, guitarist, and bassist on two of the songs.
Selected Discography
MonoNeon has released many albums and has worked with a wide range of artists.
Solo Albums
- Down-to-Earth Art (2012)
- Southern Visionary (2013)
- A Place Called Fantasy (2017)
- I Don't Care Today (Angels & Demons in Lo-Fi) (2018)
- Banana Peel on Capitol Hill (2021)
- Supermane (2021)
- Put on Earth for You (2022)
- Quilted Stereo (2024)
Collaborations
