Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét | |
|---|---|
 Monét in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Victoria Monét McCants |
| Born | May 1, 1989 Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Associated acts | |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | www |
Victoria Monét McCants (born May 1, 1989)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She became involved in performing arts at a young age, singing in the youth choir at her church, and performing in a city dance team. She soon took to writing and began working with producer Rodney Jerkins. Previously signed to Atlantic Records, Monét released her debut EP Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 in 2014 and her follow-up EP Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2 in 2015. Monét would follow this with the Life After Love, Pt. 1 and Life After Love Pt. 2 EPs in February and September 2018 respectively. Part one of her debut album, Jaguar, was released on August 7, 2020.
Monét has written songs for a number of artists including Nas, Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, T.I., GOOD Music, Lupe Fiasco, Chrisette Michele, Coco Jones, Chris Brown, and Diddy — Dirty Money. In 2019, Monét received two Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year for her work on Grande's Thank U, Next and Record of the Year for "7 Rings".
Early life[]
Monét was born in Georgia and moved to Sacramento, California, as a child.[2] Her mother is L'Tanya Chestang-Cubit (née Lovett) and her maternal grandmother was Cassaundria Lovett of Mobile, Alabama. She has a half-brother named Michael Cubit, Jr.[3] In Catholic elementary school, she appeared on stage in holiday plays, and in church she sang in the youth choir. In junior high school she formed her own dance group; this led to teaching at two dance studios.[2] She attended Sheldon High School in Sacramento after pleading with her mother to change their address so that she could participate in Sheldon's performing arts program.[4]
Career[]
2010–2015: Songwriting and Nightmares & Lullabies[]
Outside of dance rehearsals, Monét began exchanging poetry with an older cousin and found a new passion. This soon translated into her writing her own music. Meanwhile, she had been educating herself on the production world, learning about producers, and making music at a local recording studio. She learned about Rodney Jerkins (aka Darkchild) and decided to add him on Myspace.[5] Shortly after that, he invited her to come to Los Angeles and audition for a new girl group he was forming, Purple Reign.[6][7] The group landed a record deal with Motown a year later, but was dropped before releasing any music. After the group's disbandment, Monet turned to songwriting to earn money while she waited for her own music career to build up.[8] The first song she worked on was a track for Diddy Dirty Money's 2010 album, Last Train to Paris.[9] She continued to write song hooks and sang the demos herself before sending them out. Her hope was that the labels would like her version enough that they would keep her on the track as a feature.[5][10]
Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman heard one of her demos in a meeting and offered her a record deal later that day.[2][5] Even though she was signed, Monet acknowledged that her songwriting "took off" before her music, while she was working on both.[8] Her songwriting remained her main form of income during the beginning of her music career.[10] On October 30, 2014, Monet released her debut EP Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 and on June 17, 2015, she released her follow-up EP Nightmares & Lullabies – Act 2 under Atlantic Records.[11][9] Monet chose the name as it represented the sound of the EPs: a dark beat mixed with soft melodies.[5]
2016–2018: Life After Love and touring[]
Following the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the Dallas Police shooting, Monét released "Better Days" with Ariana Grande on July 10, 2016.[12] Monét joined girl group Fifth Harmony on the North American leg of the 7/27 Tour, which began on July 25, 2016, as an opening act along with pop singer JoJo.[13] Grande joined Monet on one of the tour dates to perform "Better Days."[14] On September 22, 2016, Grande announced on Twitter that Monét will serve as an opening act along with British girl group Little Mix on the North American leg of the Dangerous Woman Tour. Monét also supported Grande on the European leg of the tour alongside rapper Bia.
In 2016, Monét released the promotional single "Do You Like It" which was followed by the single "Ready", which was released while on tour with Ariana Grande in April 2017. Both singles would later be included on Life After Love Pt. 2. On February 23, 2018, Monét released the first half of her "Life After Love" series, Life After Love, Pt. 1. The project features the single "Freak", which was released on February 9 with the project's pre-order. A remix of the song[15] featuring previous tour-mate Bia, was released on July 19, 2018 alongside a music video.[16] The latter half of the "Life After Love" series, Life After Love, Pt. 2, was released on September 28, 2018, and was preceded by the single "New Love".[17]
2019–present: Jaguar[]
On April 1, 2019, Victoria Monét and Ariana Grande released the single "Monopoly" while Ariana Grande was on her Sweetener World Tour.
In late 2019, Monét released the single "Ass Like That". The song served as the lead single to her upcoming debut project. In early 2020, Monét released the single "Moment" followed by the promotional single "Dive". Monét was announced as Apple Music's Up Next artist in February 2020.[18] On June 19, Monét released the single "Experience" with Khalid and SG Lewis and announced her debut project, Jaguar.[19] In an interview with Apple Music, Monét disclosed that Jaguar will be released in three separate parts which will eventually come together to form her debut studio album.[20] Part one of Jaguar was released on August 7.[21] On October 4, Monét released the song "Politics" exclusively on SoundCloud, leaving a portion of the song fully instrumental, so listeners could add their own feature verse to the song.[22] On October 8, Monét released a remix of the Jaguar track "Touch Me" featuring American singer-songwriter Kehlani.[23]
On February 1, 2021 and August 5, 2021, Monét released the singles "F.U.C.K." and "Coastin'", serving as the first and second singles to the second part of her debut project, Jaguar Pt. 2.
Songwriting[]
Monét has a long history of writing songs for other artists. In 2010, she helped pen "I Hate That You Love Me" by Diddy Dirty Money and went on to co-write songs such as "Be Alright", "Let Me Love You", "Thank U, Next", and "Monopoly" (featuring Monét) by Ariana Grande; "Memories Back Then" by T.I., B.o.B and Kendrick Lamar; "Drunk Texting" by Chris Brown; "Everlasting Love", "Them Girls Be Like", "Reflection", "We Know", and "No Way" by Fifth Harmony; "You Wouldn't Understand" by Nas; "Sin City" by GOOD Music; "Visual Love" by Chrisette Michele; "Live on Tonight" by T.I.; "Do It" by Chloe x Halle; "Rather Be" by Brandy; as well as "Ice Cream" by Blackpink and Selena Gomez.[24]
For her work with Grande she was nominated for two awards at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Record of the Year for "7 Rings" and Album of the Year" for Thank U, Next. The following year she was nominated in the Best R&B Song category for co-writing Chloe x Halle's single "Do It."
Personal life[]
Monét came out as bisexual in 2018.[25] In December 2020, she announced that she was pregnant with her first child.[26] On February 21, 2021, Monét gave birth to a girl named Hazel Monét Gaines.[27]
Discography[]
Extended plays[]
| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [28] |
US R&B [29] |
US Heat [29] |
US Ind. [30] |
UK R&B [31] | ||
| Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2 |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| Life After Love, Pt. 1 |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| Life After Love, Pt. 2 |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| Jaguar |
|
174 | 20 | 1 | 26 | 14 |
| A Jaguar Christmas: The Orchestral Arrangements |
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| Jaguar Pt. 2 | TBA | — | — | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||
Singles[]
As lead artist[]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [34] |
AUS [35] |
CAN [36] |
GRE Dig. [37] |
IRE [38] |
NLD [39] |
NZ [40] |
SCO [41] |
UK [42] | |||
| "Made in China"[43] (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) |
2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 |
| "90's Babies"[44] | 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2 |
| "Ready"[45] | 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Life After Love, Pt. 2 |
| "Freak"[46] (solo or remix featuring BIA)[A] |
2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Life After Love, Pt. 1 |
| "Monopoly"[48] (with Ariana Grande) |
2019 | 69 | 21 | 38 | 1 | 15 | 76 | 19 | 21 | 23 | Thank U, Next[B] |
| "Ass Like That"[50] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Jaguar | |
| "Moment"[51] | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Experience" (with Khalid and SG Lewis) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Touch Me" (Remix) (featuring Kehlani) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album single | |
| "F.U.C.K." | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | TBA |
| "Coastin'" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
As featured artist[]
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [52] |
CAN [53] | ||||
| "A Little More" (Machine Gun Kelly featuring Victoria Monét) |
2015 | —[C] | 81 |
|
General Admission |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Promotional singles[]
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Backyard" | 2015 | Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 |
| "High Luv"[55] | Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2 | |
| "See the Light"[56] | ||
| "Do You Like It"[57] | 2016 | Life After Love, Pt. 2 |
| "New Love" | 2018 | |
| "Dive"[58] | 2020 | Jaguar |
Guest appearances[]
| Title | Year | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "You Wouldn't Understand" | 2012 | Life Is Good | Nas |
| "Live on Tonight" | Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head | T.I. | |
| "Somewhere"[59] | 2013 | Born II Sing Vol. III | Eric Bellinger |
| "Stay" | 2014 | Paperwork | T.I. |
| "About My Issue" | T.I., Nipsey Hussle | ||
| "Fear Warning"[60] | 2015 | Trapnati | Hardo, Stevie B |
| "Losing"[61] | 2016 | Summer on Sunset | Wale |
| "Kill" | 2017 | Drogas Light | Lupe Fiasco, Ty Dolla $ign |
| "The Amazing Mr. Fuck Up" | 2018 | Dime Trap | T.I. |
| "Got Her Own" | 2019 | Charlie's Angels | Ariana Grande |
Production and songwriting[]
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "You Wouldn't Understand" | Nas, Victoria Monét | Life Is Good |
| "Sin City" | GOOD Music | Cruel Summer | |
| "Introduction" | T.I. | Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head | |
| "Live On Tonight" | T.I., Victoria Monét | ||
| 2013 | |||
| "Déjà Vu" | Coco Jones | Made Of | |
| "Visual Love" | Chrisette Michele | Better | |
| "Honeymoon Avenue" | Ariana Grande | Yours Truly | |
| "Daydreamin'" | |||
| 2014 | "Intro" | Ariana Grande | My Everything |
| "My Everything" | |||
| "Only 1" | |||
| "Cadillac Song" | |||
| 2015 | "Everlasting Love" | Fifth Harmony | Reflection |
| "Them Girls Be Like" | |||
| "Reflection" | |||
| "We Know" | |||
| "Double Tap" | Jordin Sparks, 2 Chainz | Right Here, Right Now | |
| "A Little More" | Machine Gun Kelly, Victoria Monét | General Admission | |
| "Intro" | Ariana Grande | Christmas & Chill | |
| "Wit It This Christmas" | |||
| "December" | |||
| "Not Just on Christmas" | |||
| "True Love" | |||
| "Winter Things" | |||
| 2016 | "Moonlight" | Dangerous Woman | |
| "Be Alright" | |||
| "Let Me Love You" | Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne | ||
| "Leave Me Lonely" | Ariana Grande, Macy Gray | ||
| "I Don't Care" | Ariana Grande | ||
| "Knew Better / Forever Boy" | |||
| "Step On Up" | |||
| "No Way" | Fifth Harmony | 7/27 | |
| 2017 | "I Want You" | Sara Evans | Words |
| 2018 | "Goodnight n Go" | Ariana Grande | Sweetener |
| "Pete Davidson" | |||
| "Thank U, Next" | Thank U, Next | ||
| 2019 | "7 Rings" | ||
| "Needy" | |||
| "NASA" | |||
| "Make Up" | |||
| "Ghostin" | |||
| 2020 | "Do It" | Chloe x Halle | Ungodly Hour |
| "Rather Be"[62] | Brandy | B7 | |
| "Ice Cream" | Blackpink, Selena Gomez | The Album | |
| "34+35" | Ariana Grande | Positions | |
| "Motive" | Ariana Grande, Doja Cat | ||
| "My Hair" | Ariana Grande | ||
| "Nasty" | |||
| "West Side" | |||
| "Love Language" | |||
| 2021 | "Test Drive" |
- ^ The solo version of "Freak" appears on Life After Love, Pt. 1 whilst the remix featuring BIA is a standalone single.[47]
- ^ "Monopoly" is only included on the Japanese deluxe edition of Thank U, Next.[49]
- ^ "A Little More" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Organization | Award | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Grammy Awards | Album of the Year | Thank U, Next | Nominated | [63] |
| Record of the Year | "7 Rings" | Nominated | |||
| 2021 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Song | "Do It" | Nominated | [64] |
References[]
- ^ "Victoria Monet's schedule for ASCAP EXPO". ascapexpo2015.sched.com. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Victoria Monet". ASCAP EXPO. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ February 12, 2009. "Cassaundria Lovett". Sacramento Bee.
- ^ Tonsall, Sonseeahray (February 9, 2018). "Victoria Monet Celebrates Dance with Sheldon High School Students". Fox 40. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c d YKIGS. "Interview: Victoria Monét Talks Nightmares & Lullabies Project, Working With Ariana Grande, & Signing With Atlantic Records". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ "Profile: Victoria Monet". Soul Train. December 12, 2014.
- ^ "Victoria Monét on her 'Friendship-Based' Writing Success With Ariana Grande". Billboard. June 13, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (January 10, 2020). "Singer-songwriter Victoria Monet is on Her Own Path to Greatness". Wonderland Magazine.
- ^ a b JUSMUSIC, DJ (October 30, 2014). "Atlantic Recording Artist Victoria Monet Drops 'Nightmares & Lullabies' ACT 1". Singers Room. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ a b Cragg, Michael (December 27, 2019). "Victoria Monét: the Ariana Grande songwriter making bed-quaking R&B". The Guardian.
- ^ ThisIsRnB (October 30, 2014). "New Music: Victoria Monet - Nightmares & Lullabies (Act 1) EP". THISISRnB. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 10, 2016). "Victoria Monet, Ariana Grande Respond to Recent Tragedies With 'Better Days'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Wendowski, Andrew (August 10, 2016). "Fifth Harmony bring 7/27 Tour to Camden, NJ". Music Mayhem Magazine.
- ^ Lee, Christina (September 11, 2016). "Ariana Grande Joins Victoria Monet On Stage To Open For Fifth Harmony's '7/27 Tour". Idolator.
- ^ Freak Remix, retrieved June 9, 2020
- ^ Victoria Monet - Freak (Remix) (Official Video) ft. Bia, retrieved June 9, 2020
- ^ a b "Life After Love, Pt. 2 by Victoria Monet on Google Play Music". Google Play Music.
- ^ "Victoria Monét Is Apple Music's Newest Up Next Artist". Teen Vogue. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (June 19, 2020). "Victoria Monét Shares New Song "Experience" With Khalid and SG Lewis: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Victoria Monét: On 'Jaguar' and Making the "Moment" Music Video in South Africa | Apple Music, retrieved August 10, 2020
- ^ Gracie, Bianca (August 7, 2020). "Interview: Victoria Monét on "Jaguar" and Her Solo Moment". Paper. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Politics, retrieved October 17, 2020
- ^ "Victoria Monet "Touch Me" Remix Feat. Kehlani Out Now". RESPECT. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez – Ice Cream, retrieved September 8, 2020
- ^ Starling, Lakin (May 8, 2020). "Victoria Monét On 'Jaguar' and Making It as a Solo Artist". The Cut. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Alter, Rebecca (December 5, 2020). "Victoria Monét Is Pregnant With Her First Child and the Announcement Is Art". Vulture. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Monét, Victoria [@VictoriaMonet]. "Hazel Monét Gaines 2/21/21
Mommy and Daddy love you so much!!!
Welcome to the world" (Tweet) – via Twitter. - ^ "Victoria Monet – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Victoria Monet – Chart history: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Monet – Chart history: Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 14 August 2020 – 20 August 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ "Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 – EP". Apple. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ "Life After Love, Pt. 1 by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Victoria Monét – Chart History: The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Victoria Monét – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ "Official Billboard Charts – Digital Singles Chart". Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Discografie Victoria Monét". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 5 April 2019 – 11 April 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ "Victoria Monét". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Made In China (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "90's Babies - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Ready - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Life After Love, Pt. 1 by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Freak Remix".
- ^ "Stories • Instagram". March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019 – via Instagram.
- ^ "アリアナ・グランデの大ヒット・アルバム『thank u, next』のデラックス・エディションが、日本のファンの為だけにリリース決定！その"特別な発売日"とは！？" [Ariana Grande's blockbuster album "thank u, next" deluxe edition is released only for Japanese fans! When is the special release date?]. Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ @VictoriaMonet (October 20, 2019). "Ass Like That // 10-22" (Tweet). Retrieved October 21, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Moment - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Chart History | Machine Gun Kelly | Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ "Chart History | Machine Gun Kelly | Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ "GOLD & PLATINUM". RIAA. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "High Luv - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "See the Light - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Do You Like It - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
- ^ "Eric Bellinger - Born II Sing Vol. 3". iTunes. April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- ^ "Hardo - Trapnati - Download & Listen [New Mixtape]". hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "Summer On Sunset". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ "Thank you so much everyone for the love. I'm so grateful.