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Victoria Monet finally looks to the future. “I’m still trying to be better,” the singer-songwriter and hitmaker told us on a Tuesday in December, just a month after the Grammy nominations were announced. “I think that was the plan from the beginning. It’s just to be a better artist. And it was the day before.”
In case you missed it, Monét had quite the last 12 months after having quite the last 12 years. The “On My Mama” hitmaker has penned hits for some of the biggest acts in the industry, writing for artists like Brandy, Chloe x Halle, and collaborating on tracks like “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” and “34 +35” with her close friend Ariana Grande. While making a name for herself as one of the game’s brightest writers, Monét continued to develop her own craft as a singer and performer, releasing EPs such as the “Life After Love” series and “Jaguar,” all loved by her dedicated fans.
With her debut album “Jaguar II”, Monét both delighted critics and fans alike, garnering rave reviews and a staggering seven Grammy nominations. Fusing smart, contemporary lyricism with lush soundscapes inspired by ’70s R&B and funk, his signature style truly feels unique. It’s got the kind of records you can play at a house party with your friends, in the bedroom, or in the car, with delicious hooks that stay in your brain for months and months. To newcomers, Monét’s success may seem like some kind of rapid, meteoric rise, but to longtime fans, this is clearly a hard-earned moment for an artist dedicated to perfecting her craft at every level. .
“In my sessions, when I work with artists, the goal is the same as when I work for myself: it is to create the most authentic and surprising song for you in that moment, in that moment,” he explained to us. . “When I write for others, it is through their experiences in the story they want to tell and the sounds they want to portray. You have my opinions to consider. For me, I’m in my own head and talking to myself about what to do. “I’m speaking from my perspective.”
As for those multiple Grammy nominations, Monét shared with us that this particular moment is “affirming” for her. “When I was making the album and listening to it, I felt like it was very special and in my heart I felt like it was worthy of a Grammy. But, even when things are of a certain caliber in your heart, sometimes they just don’t get there. You never know”.
The mother of one explained that she “was very proud of the project” and what her team accomplished, but also made sure to “try not to get too attached to the praise of it all.”
“I’ve worked with so many people who believed from a point where it wasn’t as obvious, you know, it wasn’t as easy or as cool. You know, we had to work. “I put in a lot of legwork to get to this point, so it really feels affirming that some of those parts are coming true.”
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Monet, what is openly bisexual, also shed light on his journey as an artist in R&B as his representation continues to break boundaries in an already evolving genre. At first, she felt “very hidden” and somewhat restricted” due to uncertainty about how authentic she could be and “what was appropriate or inappropriate and what people would accept.”
“It takes all those thoughts out of the equation to just be free, to be able to come out and then be welcomed with open arms by a community that is ready to engage with you and not judge you, and that is actually looking for someone. to represent their perspective.”
“It has been an honor to be able to do that,” he insisted to us. “I know that not all stories are like that. When they come out, they may not have a community that accepts them. So I think in some way my music has to be a hug for them, and I love being that space, being able to create it so that my music is something that people can lean on, whether they do or not. to have that community of love.”
Her transition not only excites Monét, but the “freedom” she has to write how she writes and what she wants to write about is “incredible even to see.”
As for what’s next? The singer tells us that she is “always” thinking about that. “I’m trying to be prepared for what’s next, think about the future and have a plan. I’m also trying to enjoy this moment at the same time, because if I think about my past self, these are the things I wanted then and have worked so hard for. So I’m trying to learn the balance between being in the moment and just receiving and living in gratitude.”
“I really want to get back in the studio,” he joked. “A lot of people say that the second album after a really successful one is harder, so it’s about knowing it, but also forgetting it and just being myself completely naturally and creating what feels right to me. “I want to tour again next year and I want to collaborate with other artists.”
Monét suggests “exploring” other opportunities in the future, such as writing for film, television, a book or screenplays to see how your “pen can grow” and where it will take you. “I also want to venture into different avenues of writing,” she added.
Victoria Monét’s debut album “Jaguar II” is now available for streaming.
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