The Untold Story of Victoria Monét

The Untold Story of Victoria Monet

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring Victoria Monét’s journey from aspiring performer to Grammy winner.

On the evening of February 4th, 2024, Victoria Monét's name echoed triumphantly as she clinched the title of “Best New Artist” at the Grammys. Adding to her glory, she also secured awards for “Best R&B Album” and “Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.” With numerous other nominations under her belt, she trailed only behind SZA as the second most nominated artist of the night. But her journey to Grammy success didn't start there. From her early days harmonizing in her local youth choir to leading her own dance troupe, her path to stardom was paved with dedication and talent. Even if you've only just heard her name at the Grammys, chances are you've already come across her work. Let's rewind and explore the captivating rise of Victoria Monét.

Our story begins in Atlanta, Georgia, where a young Monét found her passion for performance early on, gracing holiday play stages and singing in her local church youth choir. Transitioning to junior high, she built up her own dance troupe, igniting her love for the art even further. Determined to pursue her dreams, Monét convinced her family to move to Sacramento, where she could fully immerse herself in the arts scene at Sheldon High School. It was there that she discovered a new passion for songwriting, inspired by trading verses with her cousin. While she initially felt more comfortable as part of a group, whether singing in a choir or dancing with others, these experiences helped her develop the skills she needed to stand out on her own.

Monét kickstarted her music journey online, sharing tracks on MySpace and catching the eye of R&B heavyweight Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, known for his work with Aaliyah, Brandy, Monica, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child, and many others. After privately messaging Jerkins, she was invited to audition for his new girl group. Monét became one-third of the ill-fated Purple Reign. Despite having an album ready, the group’s dreams were crushed when Motown Records, their label, changed hands. This also marked the end of Monét’s collaboration with Jerkins. Nevertheless, she credits the group’s songwriter, LaShawn Daniels, for helping her fine-tune her own songwriting skills. So, with Purple Reign’s erm, reign cut short before it even started, Monét turned to songwriting to make ends meet. However, it wasn’t all bad news. Even if it would take a little longer to get into the spotlight, Monét still looks back at this period as a life-altering experience since it got her in the room with the right people.

Not just in the room but staying at the home of renowned music producer D’Mile while recording for what should’ve been Purple Reign’s debut album. Known for his work with Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Dirty Money, and others, D’Mile became one of Monét’s dream collaborators. Though it may have seemed like just a fantasy at the time, it would eventually become a reality— more on that soon.

Monét’s name may be relatively new to some, but we assure you her talents are not. Are you a fan of Blackpink and Selena Gomez’s “Ice Cream”? How about Dirty Money’s “I Hate That You Love Me” or “Do It” by Chloe x Halle? How many times have you listened to Brandy’s “Rather Be”? Guess what these songs have in common? Yep, they all have writing credits by Monét. With an impressive and extensive list of hits already under her belt, it’s no surprise she’s making waves in her own right.

If you’re an Arianator, you should definitely know who she is. She’s worked closely with Ariana Grande since her 2013 album “Yours Truly” and has contributed to many others, including the Grammy-nominated “Thank U, Next.” They even co-released a track called “Monopoly” in 2019 reportedly inspired by Monét’s dislike for the board game (apparently, Monét turns Grande down whenever she suggests they play). So, in case it’s not obvious, they’re not just collaborators; they’re what they call “soul-friends.” It seems like their close bond is the perfect foundation for creating hits, and clearly, it’s a winning formula.

After working behind the scenes for roughly ten years, Monét decided it was time to take another shot at the spotlight. Collaborating with Grande on “Monopoly” certainly provided an effective launchpad. Still, she's been making waves since her first EP “Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1,” dropped in 2014, followed by “Act 2” the next year. She shared that the title was a reflection of her turbulent journey in the biz so far. Monét continued expanding her fanbase by opening for Fifth Harmony and Grande on their tours across North America, and she even once joined her “soul friend” in Europe. Grande also featured on her song “Better Days,” released in 2016 in response to a series of events linked to police brutality. Then, in 2017, Monét released the first part of her EP “Life After Love, Pt. 1,” with bops like “Do You Like It” and “Ready.” “Part 2” came out in 2018, promoted by her single “New Love.” Also, who could overlook this jam from her 2020 “Jaguar I” album?

Bringing us back to Monét’s inaugural Grammy-winning era, she stands out as the second most nominated artist at the “66th Annual Grammy Awards” in 2024. Let’s begin with her “Record of the Year” nominated track, “On My Mama,” featured on her Grammy-winning album “Jaguar II” and produced by D’Mile (yes, dreams do come true). Even former President Obama listed it among his favorite bops of the year. The song shows off Monét’s skills as a songwriter, singer, and dancer, and it’s also inspired by her experiences as a new mom. In fact, the music video even features her mother and daughter, Hazel, who became the youngest Grammy nominee ever.

Beyond motherhood, Monét takes inspiration from artists like Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Brandy, and Alicia Keys. They’ve influenced her music and the legacy she hopes to leave future generations. Despite the challenges of releasing “Jaguar I” in 2020 amidst a world at a standstill, Monét’s talent shined through and scored her new fans. With her first album, “Jaguar II,” she finds her groove, blending modern R&B with ’70s soul, while her newfound confidence and allure attract a fresh wave of fans. She also draws from Earth, Wind, and Fire, who are also featured on her album alongside artists like Lucky Daye, Buju Banton, and Kaytranada. Monét’s music is deeply influenced by her culture, defining the voice she wants to share with the world.

Though Monét is spending more time focusing on her own career, she hasn’t completely shut the door on writing songs for others. However, while she continues to build her own name, her days of songwriting for the stars will be taking more of a backseat. Still, Monét is reawakening a part of R&B that perhaps we’ve all slept on for far too long. Still, we’re happy to see that it’s getting its revival in such excellent and talented hands, and we can’t wait to watch what this rising star does next.

When did you first become a Victoria Monét stan? Let us know in the comments.