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Victoria Monét has moved on from her days as a songwriter for celebrities and has now become a pop star. During our meeting at Sony’s London offices, she is perfectly put together with her long, straight blonde hair cascading down to her stiletto boots. She is accompanied by a team of makeup and hair stylists who are constantly making sure she looks flawless.
Before our conversation, the 34-year-old was nominated for seven Grammy awards, making her the second most-nominated artist of the year. Despite dealing with jetlag and hunger, she happily attends multiple press events and graciously declines the food provided by her team. She is still elated from meeting one of her idols the previous night: Janet Jackson. Monét compares this feeling to Christmas and expresses gratitude for the blessings she is currently receiving from God, including her two-year-old daughter who she always prioritizes in her busy schedule.
Despite appearing as a rising star, Monét has been a part of the music industry for a significant amount of time. She is a skilled songwriter, having spent over ten years writing for notable industry talents such as Selena Gomez and Blackpink, Chloe x Halle, and Brandy. Monét has also contributed to a considerable portion of Ariana Grande’s catalog, including popular singles like 7 Rings, 34+35, and Thank U, Next. However, her solo success can be attributed to her debut album, Jaguar II, and its lead single On My Mama. This song pays tribute to the women who paved the way for Monét and captivated listeners with its bold horns and irresistible swagger. Monét’s music is a fusion of various influences, with a strong presence of 70s Motown and a touch of delectable pop-R&B. Her lyrics celebrate womanhood, maturity, sexual confidence, and aim to encompass the diverse experiences and emotions of women.
While growing up, she remembers being taught to sit with crossed legs and good posture, and not to say certain words. These themes are often found in music by men, but she wanted to show that women also discuss, express, and experience these things. She is equally captivating on stage and in the recording studio, effortlessly conveying these themes. However, her secret to success is simple: years of dedicated hard work behind the scenes. Monét’s impressive breath control comes from daily rehearsals and even singing while on a treadmill. She reflects on her nomination for best new artist, acknowledging that while she may be new to some, she has been working towards this for a long time.
Victoria Monét McCants was born and raised as an only child in Sacramento, California. She was introverted and observant, describing herself as a “sponge” for the various types of music played by her extended family. Her grandparents introduced her to oldies like the Temptations and classic musicals like The Sound of Music and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her mother exposed her to more contemporary genres such as dancehall, merengue, and Miami bass.
Monét started learning dance in her early teens and eventually started composing her own songs. When she turned 18, she became fixated on the idea of moving to Los Angeles. In order to save up the $4,000 her mother said she would need to support herself if she left college, Monét worked at a bank and an electronics store at the same time.
Before achieving success, she had not yet reached that number. However, her breakthrough came when her songs on MySpace caught the attention of R&B producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, known for working with big names like Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child, and Michael Jackson. Jerkins was in the process of forming a girl group called Purple Reign and this was a dream come true for her. But the dream came crashing down when the group was dropped by their label, Motown, due to a change in leadership. This left the girls in a financially desperate situation. Monét remembers singing in front of In-N-Out Burger with her group, asking for donations just to make ends meet. In order to survive, she turned to songwriting as a temporary solution. Though she still pursued her own music, she had to divide her time and energy between that and writing songs to make a living.
Monét’s 10-year struggle to reach her full potential is a reflection of the larger failures in the music industry. Overcoming the label of “songwriter” can be a daunting task, especially for women. According to Monét, when female vocalists sound too much like the artists they write for, it becomes difficult for audiences to see them as separate individuals.
The problem can be made worse by external circumstances. “I believe that record labels may engage in deceptive tactics,” she states. “They want the songwriter to continue writing for the artists, so they may not provide as much support.” One lesson she has learned is: “Read your contracts. Ensure you are not being taken advantage of. I regret not recognizing my value sooner, as I have signed some unreasonable agreements that I had to navigate my way out of.”
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She credits her breakthrough to tenacity and, ultimately, patience. “It mostly works when the songwriter wants it bad enough,” she says. “I’m stuck in it because it is who I am; even if I tried, I couldn’t un-be myself. So I was happy to still pursue it, even when times were really hard.”
In the past, Monét’s fans have frequently expressed their frustration with her being labeled as “underrated,” which can often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Monét is understanding about this label and would rather be underrated than overrated. However, she wonders what it would take for people to change their perception of her. Would it require a Grammy nomination or a number one hit? While accolades do provide some validation, Monét is unsure if she will ever feel completely satisfied with her career.
A woman in her 30s, who has been in the music industry for over 10 years, Monét’s success is particularly meaningful; she symbolizes a potential change in outdated expectations for women like her. It is clear from her expressions of love for her daughter and motherhood that what used to be obstacles for women are now seen as strengths. “Becoming a mother has helped me mature greatly,” she explains. “I am now a better version of myself. I feel like I am truly discovering myself as a person and experiencing the joys of life, which will be reflected in my music.”
The latest version of Jaguar, Jaguar II, has been released.
Source: theguardian.com
