Victoria Monét, a seven-time nominee for the 66th annual Grammy Awards, has journeyed from a songwriter to an emerging artist over several years. Despite releasing four EPs since 2014’s Nightmares & Lullabies – Act 1, including 2020’s JAGUAR, she felt her efforts didn’t garner the attention she desired.
In a recent conversation with Variety on January 31st, Monét opened up about her struggles in the industry, considering giving up on music despite her success in penning hits for Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, and Fifth Harmony. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “At the time, I questioned it so much: Like, what is it about me that’s so lackluster? Why aren’t people seeing me? It was even to the point where I would sing demos and try to sound really great so rappers would keep me on the hook.”
Monét emphasized the challenges she faced and the need to prove herself. She remarked, “I feel like maybe even that is a part of what was so hard. I had something to prove. It wasn’t just handed to me. So it’s all a part of why I think things are coming to fruition now: It’s just time. It’s almost like, ‘Alright, girl — you didn’t give up. We’re going to give you something.’”
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In 2023, Victoria Monét’s major label debut album, JAGUAR II, received well-deserved acclaim. The track “On My Mama” secured her first No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, while songs like “Alright” and “Smoke” featuring Lucky Daye became cherished by fans.
During the conversation, Monét candidly discussed her journey to embrace her bisexuality. After coming out in 2018, she confirmed her relationship with Kehlani in 2023, addressing her past apprehensions. Monét shared, “I thought that conforming would make me go further. Being picturesque, straight… It almost felt like you didn’t want to add any more [weight]to your ankles trying to win a race. It’s like, ‘You’re already a woman, you’re already Black — you’d better pick a struggle.’”
