7 Songs Victoria Monét Wrote for Other Artists
Singer-songwriter Victoria Monét may still be carving out her own lane as a solo act, but she’s already helped create hits for several other artists.
Singer-songwriter Victoria Monét may be one of the newest faces in contemporary R&B, but you’ve definitely heard her music before.
A natural-born performer, Monét joined her church’s youth choir, participated in school plays, and even formed a dance team at her junior high school. In her early 20s, Monét began writing and exchanging poetry with a relative, which prompted her to start writing her own songs. While learning about music production and recording at a Sacramento, California studio, she connected with producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins on Myspace. Jerkins invited Monét to Los Angeles to audition for a girl group he was forming. Although the group landed a record deal with Motown, they were dropped from the label before releasing any music.
Still living in Los Angeles, Monét turned to songwriting to support herself financially. She often wrote hooks and sang on the demos herself hoping the label would like her voice enough to keep her on the track as a featured artist. In 2014, Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman heard one of those demos and offered Monét a record deal. She went on to release a series of solo EPs, but continued to write for pop artists including Jojo, Jordin Sparks, and Fifth Harmony, as well as her friend and frequent collaborator, Ariana Grande.
On August 25, Monét released her debut studio album Jaguar II. Powered by her catchy lyrics and creative use of samples, the record effortlessly blends hip-hop, R&B, pop, and dancehall styles. Before diving into Monét’s latest batch of ear candy, check out the hits she’s written for other artists below.
“I Hate That You Love Me”
by Diddy – Dirty Money
The first song Monét helped pen was “I Hate That You Love Me” for Diddy – Dirty Money, a collaborative act featuring Bad Boy Entertainment label boss Sean “Diddy” Combs, and singers Kalenna Harper and Dawn Richard. The group released a single album in 2010 — the critically acclaimed Last Train To Paris, which featured European-influenced dance beats and a star-studded guest list.
“Memories Back Then”
by T.I.
“Memories Back Then” is a 2013 single by T.I. featuring Kendrick Lamar, labelmate B.o.B, and singer Kris Stephens. The song, on which Monét contributed the hook, was originally meant to be included on T.I.’s eighth studio album, but didn’t make the final tracklist due to sample clearance issues.
“Reflection”
by Fifth Harmony
After finishing in third place on the second season of The X Factor (US), girl group Fifth Harmony released their debut studio album in 2015. Monét wrote the album’s title track, “Reflection,” a self-empowerment anthem in which the singers compliment themselves.
“On The Way”
by Twenty88
Twenty88 is a hip-hop duo comprised of rapper Big Sean and singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko. In 2016, the pair released a collaborative album influenced by jazz standards, ’90s R&B, and ’70s rock and soul. Monét wrote “On The Way” about a couple who express their yearning for each other.
“Ice Cream”
by BLACKPINK
Monét wrote “Ice Cream” for international K-pop sensation BLACKPINK’s 2020 debut album. The track, which features pop singer Selena Gomez, combines playful lyrics and dessert-related double entendres with bubblegum pop and trap styles.
“Do It”
by Chloe x Halle
Before Chloe Bailey embarked on a solo career and her sister Halle played the live-action Ariel in The Little Mermaid, the pair gained popularity as a musical duo. Monét co-wrote “Do It” with the sisters for their second studio album, Ungodly Hour. The song earned the Baileys their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, thanks to its party-oriented lyrics, upbeat melody, and viral TikTok dance.
“34+35”
by Ariana Grande
After the success of 2019’s Thank U, Next (on which Monét co-wrote several songs, including “7 Rings”), singer Ariana Grande collaborated with Monét again on her sixth studio album, Positions. This time, Monét co-wrote six of the album’s tracks, including the playfully tongue-in-cheek “34+35.”
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