Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét McCants is an American singer and songwriter. 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 of 2018 respectively. Part one of her debut album, JAGUAR, was released on August 7, 2020.

Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét 2020
Background information
Birth nameVictoria Monét McCants
BornGeorgia, U.S.
OriginSacramento, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2008–present
Associated acts

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 to an African American mother and French father, and moved to Sacramento, California, as a child.[1] She was fascinated with performing arts, taking an interest in singing and dancing. Her first onstage experience came when she sang in her Catholic school holiday plays. She also sang in the youth choir at her local church but it was dance that initially gave her a sense of herself as a performer. By the time she became a student at the local performing arts high school, Monét had developed a grueling rehearsal schedule. She taught at two different dance studios and rehearsed with a local dance group, Boogie Monstarz, at Step One Dance Studios in Sacramento while working at a local bank.

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.[2] Shortly after that, he invited her to come to Los Angeles and audition for a new girl group he was forming, Purple Reign.[3] 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.[4] The first song she worked on was a track for Diddy Dirty Money's 2010 album, Last Train to Paris.[5] 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.[2][6]

Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman heard one of her demos in a meeting and offered her a record deal later that day.[1][2] Even though she was signed, Monet acknowledged that her songwriting "took off" before her music, while she was working on both.[4] Her songwriting remained her main form of income during the beginning of her music career.[6] 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.[7][5] Monet chose the name as it represented the sound of the EPs: a dark beat mixed with soft melodies.[2]

2016–2018: Life After Love and touring

Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, the death of Christina Grimmie, the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the Dallas Police shooting, Monét released "Better Days" with Ariana Grande on July 10, 2016.[8] 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.[9] Grande joined Monet on one of the tour dates to perform "Better Days."[10] 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[11] featuring previous tour-mate Bia, was released on July 19, 2018 alongside a music video.[12] 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".[13]

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.[14] On June 19, Monét released the single "Experience" with Khalid and SG Lewis and announced her debut project, Jaguar.[15] 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 first debut studio album.[16] Part one of Jaguar was released on August 7.[17]

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" and "Thank U, Next" 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 "Monopoly" by Ariana Grande (featuring Monét).

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.[18]

Personal life

Monét came out as bisexual in 2018.[19]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Jaguar
  • Released: August 7, 2020
  • Label: Tribe Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Album details
Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1
  • Released: October 30, 2014[20]
  • Label: Victoria Monét Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2
  • Released: June 17, 2015[21]
  • Label: Victoria Monét Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Life After Love, Pt. 1
  • Release: February 23, 2018
  • Label: Victoria Monét Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Life After Love, Pt. 2
  • Release: September 28, 2018[13]
  • Label: Victoria Monét Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist
List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions and originating album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[22]		 AUS
[23]		 CAN
[24]		 GRE
Dig.
[25]		 IRE
[26]		 NLD
[27]		 NZ
[28]		 SCO
[29]		 UK
[30]
"Made in China"[31]
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign)		 2014 ————————— Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1
"90's Babies"[32] 2015 ————————— Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2
"Ready"[33] 2017 ————————— Life After Love, Pt. 2
"Freak"[34]
(solo or featuring BIA)[upper-alpha 1]		 2018 ————————— Life After Love, Pt. 1
"New Love" ————————— Life After Love, Pt. 2
"Monopoly"[36]
(with Ariana Grande)		 2019 69213811576192123 Thank U, Next[upper-alpha 2]
"Ass Like That"[38] ————————— Jaguar
"Moment"[39] 2020 —————————
"Experience"
(with Khalid and SG Lewis)		 —————————
List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and originating album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[40]		 CAN
[41]
"A Little More"
(Machine Gun Kelly featuring Victoria Monét)		 2015 —[upper-alpha 3]81 General Admission

Promotional singles
List of promotional singles, showing year released and originating album
Title Year Album
"Backyard" 2015 Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1
"High Luv"[43] Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 2
"See the Light"[44]
"Do You Like It"[45] 2016 Life After Love, Pt. 2
"Dive"[46] 2020 Jaguar

Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and originating album
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"[47] 2013 Born II Sing Vol. III Eric Bellinger
"Stay" 2014 Paperwork T.I.
"About My Issue" T.I., Nipsey Hussle
"Fear Warning"[48] 2015 Trapnati Hardo, Stevie B
"Losing"[49] 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 Album
2012 "You Wouldn't Understand"
(featuring Victoria Monét)		 Nas Life Is Good
"Sin City" GOOD Music Cruel Summer
"Introduction" T.I. Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head
"Live On Tonight"
(featuring Victoria Monét)
2013
"Malice In Wonderland" Victoria Monét
"Déjà Vu" Coco Jones Made Of
"Visual Love" Chrisette Michele Better
"Honeymoon Avenue" Ariana Grande Yours Truly
"Daydreamin'"
2014 "Would You Wait" Victoria Monét
"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"
(featuring 2 Chainz)		 Jordin Sparks Right Here, Right Now
"A Little More"
(featuring Victoria Monét)		 Machine Gun Kelly 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"
(featuring Lil Wayne)
"Leave Me Lonely"
(featuring Macy Gray)
"I Don't Care"
"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"[50] Brandy B7
  1. The solo version of "Freak" appears on Life After Love, Pt. 1 whilst the remix featuring BIA is a standalone single.[35]
  2. "Monopoly" is only included on the Japanese deluxe edition of Thank U, Next.[37]
  3. "A Little More" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[42]

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Work Result Ref.
2020 Grammy Awards Album of the Year Thank U, Next Nominated [51]
Record of the Year "7 Rings" Nominated
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References
  1. "Victoria Monet". ASCAP EXPO. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  2. YKIGS. "Interview: Victoria Monét Talks Nightmares & Lullabies Project, Working With Ariana Grande, & Signing With Atlantic Records". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  3. "Profile: Victoria Monet". Soul Train. December 12, 2014.
  4. Kaplan, Ilana (January 10, 2020). "Singer-songwriter Victoria Monet is on Her Own Path to Greatness". Wonderland Magazine.
  5. JUSMUSIC, DJ. "Atlantic Recording Artist Victoria Monet Drops 'Nightmares & Lullabies' ACT 1". Singers Room. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  6. Cragg, Michael (December 27, 2019). "Victoria Monét: the Ariana Grande songwriter making bed-quaking R&B". The Guardian.
  7. ThisIsRnB. "New Music: Victoria Monet - Nightmares & Lullabies (Act 1) EP". THISISRnB. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  8. Kreps, Daniel (July 10, 2016). "Victoria Monet, Ariana Grande Respond to Recent Tragedies With 'Better Days'". Rolling Stone.
  9. Wendowski, Andrew (August 10, 2016). "Fifth Harmony bring 7/27 Tour to Camden, NJ". Music Mayhem Magazine.
  10. Lee, Christina (September 11, 2016). "Ariana Grande Joins Victoria Monet On Stage To Open For Fifth Harmony's '7/27 Tour". Idolator.
  11. Freak Remix, retrieved June 9, 2020
  12. Victoria Monet - Freak (Remix) (Official Video) ft. Bia, retrieved June 9, 2020
  13. "Life After Love, Pt. 2 by Victoria Monet on Google Play Music". Google Play Music.
  14. "Victoria Monét Is Apple Music's Newest Up Next Artist". Teen Vogue. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  15. Yoo, Noah (June 19, 2020). "Victoria Monét Shares New Song "Experience" With Khalid and SG Lewis: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  16. Victoria Monét: On ‘Jaguar’ and Making the “Moment” Music Video in South Africa | Apple Music, retrieved August 10, 2020
  17. Gracie, Bianca (August 7, 2020). "Interview: Victoria Monét on "Jaguar" and Her Solo Moment". Paper. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  18. "2020 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS". Grammys.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  19. Starling, Lakin (May 8, 2020). "Victoria Monét On 'Jaguar' and Making It as a Solo Artist". The Cut. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  20. "Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 – EP". Apple. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  21. "Life After Love, Pt. 1 by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  22. "Victoria Monét – Chart History: The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  23. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  24. "Victoria Monét – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  25. "Official Billboard Charts – Digital Singles Chart". Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  26. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  27. "Discografie Victoria Monét". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  28. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  29. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 5 April 2019 – 11 April 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  30. "Victoria Monét". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  31. "Made In China (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  32. "90's Babies - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  33. "Ready - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  34. "Life After Love, Pt. 1 by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  35. https://open.spotify.com/album/4epvIuL8vjGOcBaEslxT5p?si=LKlAglyMRpmiQS3FdyjZEQ
  36. "Stories • Instagram". March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019 – via Instagram.
  37. "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.
  38. @VictoriaMonet (October 20, 2019). "Ass Like That // 10-22" (Tweet). Retrieved October 21, 2019 – via Twitter.
  39. "Moment - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  40. "Machine Gun Kelly". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  41. "Machine Gun Kelly". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  42. https://www.billboard.com/music/Machine-Gun-Kelly/chart-history/HBU
  43. "High Luv - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  44. "See the Light - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  45. "Do You Like It - Single by Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  46. "Victoria Monet on Apple Music". iTunes.
  47. "Eric Bellinger - Born II Sing Vol. 3". iTunes. April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  48. "Hardo - Trapnati - Download & Listen [New Mixtape]". hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  49. "Summer On Sunset". HotNewHipHop.
  50. "Thank you so much everyone for the love. I'm so grateful. 🙏🏾 @HEYDJCAMPER and @VictoriaMonet I appreciate y'all ♥️ you too Tone #ratherbe #b7". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020 – via @4everBrandy on Twitter (confirmed account).
  51. "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.

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