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Monica (singer)

January 06, 2023

Monica Denise Arnold (formerly Brown; born October 24, 1980)[1] is an American singer, rapper and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, she began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir at the age of ten. Monica rose to prominence after she signed with Rowdy Records in 1993 and released her debut album Miss Thang two years later. She followed it with a series of successful albums, including the global bestseller The Boy Is Mine (1998) as well as the number-one albums After the Storm (2003), The Makings of Me (2006) and Still Standing (2010). Throughout her career, several of Monica's singles became number-one hits on the pop and R&B charts, including "Before You Walk Out of My Life", "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)", "Like This and Like That", "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy), "The First Night", "Angel of Mine", "So Gone", and "Everything to Me".

Monica
Monica during an interview in 2019
Born
Monica Denise Arnold

(1980-10-24) October 24, 1980 (age 42)
College Park, Georgia, U.S.
EducationNorth Clayton High School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • actress
Years active1993–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2010; div. 2019)​
Children3
RelativesPolow da Don (cousin)
Ludacris (cousin)
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labels
Websitemonica.com

Monica's popularity was further enhanced by her roles in television series such as Living Single (1996), Felicity (2001), and American Dreams (2003), and films including Boys and Girls (2000), Love Song (2000), and Pastor Brown (2009). A contributor to the NBC talent show The Voice, in 2008, she appeared in the Peachtree TV reality show special Monica: The Single which tracked the recording of the song "Still Standing" along with her personal life and resulted in her own highly rated BET series Monica: Still Standing, containing a similar concept. Separated from rapper Rodney "Rocko" Hill, father of her first two children, Monica married professional basketball player Shannon Brown in November 2010. Their first child together, a daughter, was born in 2013.[2]

Monica has sold 5.3 million albums in the United States[3] and she is recognized as one of the most successful urban R&B female vocalists to begin a career in the mid to late 1990s.[4] According to Billboard, she is the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the Billboard Top R&B Singles chart, as well as the first artist to top the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart over the span of three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s).[5] In 2010, Billboard listed Monica at number 24 on its list of the Top 50 R&B and Hip Hop Artists of the past 25 years.[6] A four-time nominee, she won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for her contribution to "The Boy Is Mine" alongside Brandy, at the 41st awards ceremony and has been the recipient of one Billboard Music Award, one BET Award, and two BMI Pop Awards.

Early life

Monica Denise Arnold was born in College Park, Georgia, the only daughter of Marilyn Best, a Delta Air Lines customer service representative and former church singer of African American descent, and M.C. "Billy" Arnold Jr, who is African American with Indian and Irish ancestry and was a mechanic for an Atlanta freight company.[7] She has a younger brother, Montez (born in 1983), and a half brother, Jermond Grant, on her father's side.[8] Monica also is a cousin of record producer Polow da Don,[9] and is related to rapper Ludacris through her mother's second marriage to Reverend Edward Best, a Methodist minister.[10]

At the age of 2, Monica followed in her mother's footsteps with regular performances at the Jones Hill Chapel United Methodist Church in Marilyn's hometown Newnan, Georgia.[10] While growing up in the modest circumstances of a single-parent home after her parents' 1984 separation and 1987 divorce, Monica continued training herself in singing and became a frequent talent-show contestant, winning over 20 local singing competitions throughout her early teenage years.[11] When she was 10 years old, she became the youngest member of "Charles Thompson and the Majestics", a traveling 12-person gospel choir.[8] She attended North Clayton High School with rapper 2 Chainz. She graduated from high school in 1997 at age 16, having skipped ahead scholastically by studying year-round with a private tutor.[12]

Career

1991–2000: Miss Thang and The Boy Is Mine

In 1991, at the age of eleven, Monica was discovered by music producer Dallas Austin at the Center Stage auditorium in Atlanta, performing Whitney Houston 1986's "Greatest Love of All". Amazed by her voice, Dallas offered her a record deal with his Arista Records-distributed label Rowdy Records and consulted rapper Queen Latifah to work as Monica's first manager.[13] Shortly afterwards Dallas and then staff producers Tim & Bob entered the studio with Monica to start writing and producing her debut Miss Thang, which was eventually released in July 1995 and reached number thirty-six on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number seven on the Top R&B Albums chart.[13] To date the album has sold 1.5 million copies in the United States.[14] In January 2000 it was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for three million shipped units .[15] The album produced three top ten singles, including debut single "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" and "Before You Walk Out of My Life", which made Monica the youngest artist ever to have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[16] Miss Thang subsequently won Monica a Billboard Music Award and garnered her an American Music Award nomination in the Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist category.[17]

After a label change to Clive Davis' Arista Records, Monica's mainstream success was boosted, when "For You I Will", from the Space Jam soundtrack (1996) became her next top ten pop hit.[17] The song was written by Diane Warren. The following year she was asked to team up with singer Brandy and producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins to record "The Boy Is Mine", the first single from both of their second albums. Released in May 1998, surrounding highly publicized rumors about a real-life catfight between both singers,[18] the duet became both the biggest hit of the summer and the biggest hit of 1998 in general in America,[19] spending thirteen weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It earned the pair a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" and garnered multi-platinum sales (to date, it remains as one of the top twenty most successful American singles in history based on Billboard chart success).[19]Jermaine Dupri, David Foster and Austin consulted on the album The Boy Is Mine, which was released later that year and it eventually became Monica's biggest-selling album; selling over 2,016,000 copies.[3] In June 2000 , the album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for three million shipped units.[20] It yielded another two U.S. number-one hits with "The First Night" and "Angel of Mine", a cover of Eternal's 1997 single, as well as a remake of Richard Marx' "Right Here Waiting". Rolling Stone proclaimed it "closer to soul's source... harking back past hip-hop songbirds like Mary J. Blige and adult-contemporary sirens like Toni Braxton",[21] while AllMusic called the album an "irresistible sounding [and] immaculately crafted musical backdrop [...] as good as mainstream urban R&B gets in 1998."[22] Monica has also made guest appearances on several television shows such as Living Single (1996), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997, 1999) and the Cartoon Network special Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak (2000).

2000–2005: All Eyez on Me and After the Storm

In 2000, Monica made her film debut in the third drama from MTV Films, Love Song, as Camille Livingston, a young woman torn between the life her parents have planned for her and the world she experiences after meeting a musician from the wrong side of the tracks. The film debut the song "What My Heart Says" with the promotion of her third album All Eyez on Me (2002). The film was released on April 30, 2002, and in Felicity (2001) and American Dreams (2003) playing Mary Wells, singing "My Guy".

In 2000, Monica contributed chorus vocals for "I've Got to Have It", a collaboration with Jermaine Dupri and rapper Nas. Released as the Big Momma's House theme song, the song saw minor success in the United States only. The following year, she released the Ric Wake production track "Just Another Girl", recorded for the Down to Earth soundtrack, as a single. A year later, Monica channeled much of her heavily media-discussed experiences into the production of her third studio album, All Eyez on Me, her first release on mentor Clive Davis newly founded J Records label. "I just wanted to give the people back something that had personal passion, instead of just, 'Oh, let's dance to this record'," she said about the issues worked into the tracks.[2] The first single "All Eyez on Me", a Rodney Jerkins-produced R&B-dance track, saw minor to moderate success on the international charts but failed to enter the higher half of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.[2] A follow-up song, "Too Hood", also got a lukewarm response and as a result, the album's tentative release was pushed back several times.[2] "I don't think people wanted to hear a big fun record from me, after knowing all the things that I had personally experienced," Monica second-guessed her new material which saw both early and heavy bootlegging via internet at that time.[2]

After the Japan-wide release of All Eyez on Me, Monica was asked to substantially reconstruct the record with a host of new producers, and as a result she re-entered recording studios to start work with songwriters Kanye West, Jazze Pha, Andre "mrDEYO" Deyo, Bam & Ryan and Dupri – replacing executive producer Missy Elliott.[23] Released in June 2003, After the Storm debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 185,500 copies.[24] This was Monica's first and only time reaching number-one on the chart.[24] It eventually received a gold certification, and has sold 1,023,000 copies to date.[3] Media reception of the CD was generally enthusiastic, with AllMusic saying the album "has all the assuredness and smart developments that should keep Monica's younger longtime followers behind her — all the while holding the ability to appeal to a wider spectrum of R&B and hip-hop fans."[25] The album's lead single, Elliott-penned "So Gone", was one of Monica's biggest commercial successes in years, becoming her first top ten single since 1999's "Angel of Mine". In addition, it reached the top position of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks and Hot Dance Club Play charts.[26] Subsequently, After the Storm spawned another three singles, with final single "U Should've Known Better" reaching number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[27]

2006–2010: The Makings of Me, Still Standing, and reality television

 
Monica performing at the DC Black Pride in 2007

Towards the end of 2006, Monica released her next studio album The Makings of Me. Titled after Curtis Mayfield's recording "The Makings of You", it saw her particularly reuniting with producers Elliott, Dupri, and Bryan Michael Cox; they had previously contributed to After the Storm.[28] The album received a positive reception from most professional music critics, with AllMusic calling it a "concise and mostly sweet set of songs",[29] and Entertainment Weekly declaring it "a solid addition" to Monica's discography.[30] While it debuted at number one on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and at number eight on the official Billboard 200, it widely failed to revive the success of its predecessors.[31] Singles such as snap-influenced "Everytime tha Beat Drop" featuring Atlanta hip hop group Dem Franchize Boyz and Elliott-produced "A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)" failed to reach the top forty of the regular pop charts.[32] The same year, she made a cameo appearance in the American comedy-drama film ATL, playing the Waffle House waitress.

In August 2008, Monica appeared in the Peachtree TV reality show special Monica: The Single, which tracked the recording of the song "Still Standing" for her same-titled sixth studio album.[33] The following year, she lent her voice to the ballad "Trust", a duet with Keyshia Cole, that peaked in the top five on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and joined the cast of Rockmond Dunbar's drama film Pastor Brown.[34] In 2010, with the success of the 2008 one-hour special, Monica joined the production of the BET network for her own series Monica: Still Standing, producing a spin-off her Peachtree show, containing the same concept. It focused on finding a hit single for the album's release while balancing her personal life as a full-time mother and dealing with her troubled past. The premiere and encore episode garnered 3.2 million total viewers, while the show itself was made the second-highest series debut in BET history behind the debut of Tiny & Toya,[35] and was given a B rating by Entertainment Weekly.[36]

Featuring production by Stargate, Ne-Yo, and Polow da Don, Still Standing was released in March 2010 and garnered a generally positive response by critics, who perceived its sound as "a return to the mid-'1990s heyday" of contemporary R&B,[37] The album debuted atop on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and number two on the Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 184,000 copies, becoming her highest-charting album in years. Lead single "Everything to Me" scored Monica her biggest chart success since 2003's "So Gone", reaching the top position of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks charts for seven weeks. The album was certified gold by the RIAA with domestic shipments of 500,000 copies within a single month.[38] With it success, the album and "Everything to Me" were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, presented at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011.[39] In March 2010, it was announced that Monica and Hill had split in October 2009, surrounding rumors that he cheated.[40] Monica and NBA player Shannon Brown met in June 2010 when while they shot her music video for her second single "Love All Over Me".[41] On November 22, 2010, Monica married Brown in a secret ceremony at their Los Angeles home,[42] follow by a second wedding in front of close family on July 9, 2011.[43] Also in 2010, Monica joined Trey Songz on his Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour, her first North American concert tour in ten years.[44]

2011–2016: New Life and Code Red

 
Monica performing in 2014

In 2011, Monica joined the debut season of the reality talent show The Voice as an adviser to musician coach Cee Lo Green.[45] In April 2012, her seventh studio album, New Life, was released. It marked her first release with RCA, following the disbandment of J Records in October 2011.[46][47] Reception for the album was generally mixed;[48] AllMusic complimented the album's "saucy, spirited, and soulful vibe"[49] while Adam Markovitz of Entertainment Weekly criticized its "cheesy choruses and outdated tunes".[50] Commercially, New Life debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[51] The album spawned two preview singles, "Anything (To Find You)" and "Until It's Gone", both of which peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Lead single "It All Belongs to Me", another duet with singer Brandy, charted similarly, reaching number 23 on the same chart.[52] The same year, Monica along with Fred Hammond was featured on gospel music recording artist James Fortune and FIYA's single "Hold On" which became a top five hit on the Christian Songs chart and garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Song at the 54th awards ceremony.[53]

In October 2013, Monica appeared on the soundtrack of Malcolm D. Lee's Christmas comedy-drama The Best Man Holiday with her Jermaine Dupri-produced rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".[54] In December 2015, her eighth studio album Code Red was released.[55] Upon its release, the album received generally mixed reviews from most music critics, and debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[56] Leading single "Just Right for Me", a collaboration with Lil Wayne, reached number twelve on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart but failed to impact elsewhere, resulting in lackluster sales in general and the release of no further singles. In support of the album, Monica embarked on her first solo concert tour in years, The Code Red Experience to promote Code Red. In November 2016, Monica announced her departure from her longtime label RCA Records after two decades.[57]

2018–present: New music and Verzuz

In December 2018, Monica released the ballad "Be Human" to introduce The Be Human Foundation, a non profit organization founded by herself.[58] The same month, she previewed music from her ninth studio album Trenches when she appeared on the seventh season of the VH1 reality series T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.[59][60] In January 2019, she released "Commitment", the first single on her own label, Mondeenise Music.[61] A sleeper hit, "Commitment" reached number one on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs in the week ending July 21, 2019, becoming her first chart topper in nine years.[62] This was followed by the release of "Me + You" in April 2019 and title track "Trenches" featuring Lil Baby.[59] The release of "Trenches" coincided with Monica and Brandy's appearances on the webcast battle series Verzuz which took place on August 31, 2020, at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.[63][64] At least 1.2 million people tuned in for the battle.[65]

On July 15, 2022,[66] Monica released a new single, "Friends", featuring Ty Dolla $ign.[67][68]

Artistry and influences

Monica possesses an alto vocal range,[69][70] which Billboard's Erika Ramirez described as "impeccable".[71] Elysa Gardner of the Los Angeles Times likened her "husky, dramatic alto" to that of singer Toni Braxton.[72] Writing that the singer arguably possesses "the best alto of her generation", PopMatters contributor Tyler Lewis said Monica has "always been able to elevate even the most generic material ... with conviction and the sheer beauty of her voice", despite believing she uses "a little too much vibrato at times".[73]

Monica has said many times that Whitney Houston is her biggest inspiration and influence since childhood. Another big influence is Mary J. Blige. Other artists she looks up to are Betty Wright, Gladys Knight and Anita Baker.[74][75]

Personal life

Monica's career slowed down in 1999 due to having problems in her relationship with ex-boyfriend Jarvis Weems.[2] In July 2000, the couple were together at the gravesite of Weems's brother, who had died in an automobile accident at age 25 in 1998. Weems then, without warning, put a gun to his head and committed suicide.[2] "Afterward, I felt, 'What else could I have done?' You replay that situation over and over and you switch it around: Maybe if I had said this, or if I would have done that,'" Monica said in an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer the following year. "It's just something that it's never possible for me to go back and change."[2] Monica briefly dated rapper, C-Murder, until he was incarcerated for a murder in 2003.[76]

Monica met rapper Rodney "Rocko" Hill, a former SWA officer and real estate manager, shortly after Weems's suicide, a time which she described as her "weakest".[77] While the pair soon began dating in the fall of the same year, they ended their relationship in 2004. A few months later, Monica and Hill reunited and she became pregnant with their first child. On May 21, 2005, she gave birth to their son, Rodney, who performs under "Rodneyy" as a SoundCloud rapper.[77][78] Monica and Hill then became engaged on Christmas Eve 2007, shortly before the birth of their second child. On January 8, 2008, their son named Romelo Montez Hill, after Monica's younger brother, was born.[79] The couple split in early 2010.[80]

In June 2010, Monica met NBA player Shannon Brown while she was looking for someone to play the love interest in her video for the song "Love All Over Me".[41] In October 2010, she announced her engagement to Brown via her Twitter account, posting a photo of a rose-cut diamond ring.[81] On November 22, 2010, the couple married in a secret ceremony at their Los Angeles home. Their wedding, however, did not become a matter of public record until January 21, 2011, when Brown told the Hip-Hop Non-Stop TV-Show.[82] A second wedding ceremony was held for family and friends to attend in July 2011.[83] On September 3, 2013, Monica gave birth to her third child, Laiyah Shannon.[84] After eight years of marriage, Monica filed for divorce from Brown in March 2019.[85] In October 2019, their divorce was finalized.[86]

Discography

Main articles: Discography, videography, and recorded songs by Monica

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Monica

Filmography

List of television and films credits
Year Title Role Notes
1996 New York Undercover Herself Episode: "If This World Were Mine" (Season 2, Episode 26)
Living Single Marissa Episode: "Kiss of the Spider Man" (Season 3, Episode 24)
1997 Soul Train Musical Guest Episode: "Johnny Gill/Monica/Premiere" (Season 26, Episode 14)
Beverly Hills, 90210 Herself Episodes: "Mother's Day" (Season 7, Episode 29)
"The End of the World as We Know It" (Season 9, Episode 23)
1999 All That Musical Guest Episode: "Monica" (Season 5, Episode 5)
2000 Boys and Girls Katie Film debut
Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak Musical Guest Cartoon Network musical TV special
Love Song Camille Livingston TV movie
2001 Felicity Sarah Robinson Episode: "Miss Conception" (Season 4, Episode 4)
2003 American Dreams Mary Wells Episode: "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" (Season 2, Episode 2)
American Juniors Herself / Guest Judge Episodes: "Episode #1.13" and "Episode #1.14"
2006 ATL Waffle House Waitress
2009 Pastor Brown Lisa Cross
Monica: Still Standing Herself Reality series
2010 Kourtney & Kim Take Miami Herself Episode: "Picture Perfect"
2011 Khloé & Lamar Herself Episode: "Unbreakable"
The Voice Herself / Adviser Episode: "The Battles, Part 1"
2016 Almost Christmas Waitress
2016 The Real Herself (Guest Co-Host)
2017 Star Announcer Episode: "Showtime"

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  64. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 23, 2020). "Brandy and Monica announce epic Verzuz battle: 'Get ready for the queens!'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  65. ^ Vera, Amira (September 1, 2020). "Kamala Harris makes cameo appearance in record-breaking Brandy vs. Monica Verzuz battle". cnn.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
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External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monica.

January 06, 2023
monica, singer, monica, denise, arnold, formerly, brown, born, october, 1980, american, singer, rapper, actress, born, raised, college, park, georgia, began, performing, child, became, part, traveling, gospel, choir, monica, rose, prominence, after, signed, wi. Monica Denise Arnold formerly Brown born October 24 1980 1 is an American singer rapper and actress Born and raised in College Park Georgia she began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir at the age of ten Monica rose to prominence after she signed with Rowdy Records in 1993 and released her debut album Miss Thang two years later She followed it with a series of successful albums including the global bestseller The Boy Is Mine 1998 as well as the number one albums After the Storm 2003 The Makings of Me 2006 and Still Standing 2010 Throughout her career several of Monica s singles became number one hits on the pop and R amp B charts including Before You Walk Out of My Life Don t Take It Personal Just One of Dem Days Like This and Like That The Boy Is Mine with Brandy The First Night Angel of Mine So Gone and Everything to Me MonicaMonica during an interview in 2019BornMonica Denise Arnold 1980 10 24 October 24 1980 age 42 College Park Georgia U S EducationNorth Clayton High SchoolOccupationsSinger rapper actressYears active1993 presentSpouseShannon Brown m 2010 div 2019 wbr Children3RelativesPolow da Don cousin Ludacris cousin AwardsFull listMusical careerGenresR amp B soul hip hop soulInstrument s VocalsLabelsMonDeenise Music RCA J Arista RowdyWebsitemonica wbr comMonica s popularity was further enhanced by her roles in television series such as Living Single 1996 Felicity 2001 and American Dreams 2003 and films including Boys and Girls 2000 Love Song 2000 and Pastor Brown 2009 A contributor to the NBC talent show The Voice in 2008 she appeared in the Peachtree TV reality show special Monica The Single which tracked the recording of the song Still Standing along with her personal life and resulted in her own highly rated BET series Monica Still Standing containing a similar concept Separated from rapper Rodney Rocko Hill father of her first two children Monica married professional basketball player Shannon Brown in November 2010 Their first child together a daughter was born in 2013 2 Monica has sold 5 3 million albums in the United States 3 and she is recognized as one of the most successful urban R amp B female vocalists to begin a career in the mid to late 1990s 4 According to Billboard she is the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart topping hits on the Billboard Top R amp B Singles chart as well as the first artist to top the US Billboard Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart over the span of three consecutive decades 1990s 2000s and 2010s 5 In 2010 Billboard listed Monica at number 24 on its list of the Top 50 R amp B and Hip Hop Artists of the past 25 years 6 A four time nominee she won a Grammy Award for Best R amp B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for her contribution to The Boy Is Mine alongside Brandy at the 41st awards ceremony and has been the recipient of one Billboard Music Award one BET Award and two BMI Pop Awards Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 1991 2000 Miss Thang and The Boy Is Mine 2 2 2000 2005 All Eyez on Me and After the Storm 2 3 2006 2010 The Makings of Me Still Standing and reality television 2 4 2011 2016 New Life and Code Red 2 5 2018 present New music and Verzuz 3 Artistry and influences 4 Personal life 5 Discography 6 Awards and nominations 7 Filmography 8 References 9 External linksEarly life EditMonica Denise Arnold was born in College Park Georgia the only daughter of Marilyn Best a Delta Air Lines customer service representative and former church singer of African American descent and M C Billy Arnold Jr who is African American with Indian and Irish ancestry and was a mechanic for an Atlanta freight company 7 She has a younger brother Montez born in 1983 and a half brother Jermond Grant on her father s side 8 Monica also is a cousin of record producer Polow da Don 9 and is related to rapper Ludacris through her mother s second marriage to Reverend Edward Best a Methodist minister 10 At the age of 2 Monica followed in her mother s footsteps with regular performances at the Jones Hill Chapel United Methodist Church in Marilyn s hometown Newnan Georgia 10 While growing up in the modest circumstances of a single parent home after her parents 1984 separation and 1987 divorce Monica continued training herself in singing and became a frequent talent show contestant winning over 20 local singing competitions throughout her early teenage years 11 When she was 10 years old she became the youngest member of Charles Thompson and the Majestics a traveling 12 person gospel choir 8 She attended North Clayton High School with rapper 2 Chainz She graduated from high school in 1997 at age 16 having skipped ahead scholastically by studying year round with a private tutor 12 Career Edit1991 2000 Miss Thang and The Boy Is Mine Edit In 1991 at the age of eleven Monica was discovered by music producer Dallas Austin at the Center Stage auditorium in Atlanta performing Whitney Houston 1986 s Greatest Love of All Amazed by her voice Dallas offered her a record deal with his Arista Records distributed label Rowdy Records and consulted rapper Queen Latifah to work as Monica s first manager 13 Shortly afterwards Dallas and then staff producers Tim amp Bob entered the studio with Monica to start writing and producing her debut Miss Thang which was eventually released in July 1995 and reached number thirty six on the U S Billboard 200 and number seven on the Top R amp B Albums chart 13 To date the album has sold 1 5 million copies in the United States 14 In January 2000 it was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for three million shipped units 15 The album produced three top ten singles including debut single Don t Take It Personal Just One of Dem Days and Before You Walk Out of My Life which made Monica the youngest artist ever to have two consecutive chart topping hits on the U S Billboard Hot R amp B Singles chart 16 Miss Thang subsequently won Monica a Billboard Music Award and garnered her an American Music Award nomination in the Favorite Soul R amp B New Artist category 17 After a label change to Clive Davis Arista Records Monica s mainstream success was boosted when For You I Will from the Space Jam soundtrack 1996 became her next top ten pop hit 17 The song was written by Diane Warren The following year she was asked to team up with singer Brandy and producer Rodney Darkchild Jerkins to record The Boy Is Mine the first single from both of their second albums Released in May 1998 surrounding highly publicized rumors about a real life catfight between both singers 18 the duet became both the biggest hit of the summer and the biggest hit of 1998 in general in America 19 spending thirteen weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart It earned the pair a Grammy Award for Best R amp B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and garnered multi platinum sales to date it remains as one of the top twenty most successful American singles in history based on Billboard chart success 19 Jermaine Dupri David Foster and Austin consulted on the album The Boy Is Mine which was released later that year and it eventually became Monica s biggest selling album selling over 2 016 000 copies 3 In June 2000 the album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for three million shipped units 20 It yielded another two U S number one hits with The First Night and Angel of Mine a cover of Eternal s 1997 single as well as a remake of Richard Marx Right Here Waiting Rolling Stone proclaimed it closer to soul s source harking back past hip hop songbirds like Mary J Blige and adult contemporary sirens like Toni Braxton 21 while AllMusic called the album an irresistible sounding and immaculately crafted musical backdrop as good as mainstream urban R amp B gets in 1998 22 Monica has also made guest appearances on several television shows such as Living Single 1996 Beverly Hills 90210 1997 1999 and the Cartoon Network special Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak 2000 2000 2005 All Eyez on Me and After the Storm Edit In 2000 Monica made her film debut in the third drama from MTV Films Love Song as Camille Livingston a young woman torn between the life her parents have planned for her and the world she experiences after meeting a musician from the wrong side of the tracks The film debut the song What My Heart Says with the promotion of her third album All Eyez on Me 2002 The film was released on April 30 2002 and in Felicity 2001 and American Dreams 2003 playing Mary Wells singing My Guy In 2000 Monica contributed chorus vocals for I ve Got to Have It a collaboration with Jermaine Dupri and rapper Nas Released as the Big Momma s House theme song the song saw minor success in the United States only The following year she released the Ric Wake production track Just Another Girl recorded for the Down to Earth soundtrack as a single A year later Monica channeled much of her heavily media discussed experiences into the production of her third studio album All Eyez on Me her first release on mentor Clive Davis newly founded J Records label I just wanted to give the people back something that had personal passion instead of just Oh let s dance to this record she said about the issues worked into the tracks 2 The first single All Eyez on Me a Rodney Jerkins produced R amp B dance track saw minor to moderate success on the international charts but failed to enter the higher half of the U S Billboard Hot 100 chart 2 A follow up song Too Hood also got a lukewarm response and as a result the album s tentative release was pushed back several times 2 I don t think people wanted to hear a big fun record from me after knowing all the things that I had personally experienced Monica second guessed her new material which saw both early and heavy bootlegging via internet at that time 2 After the Japan wide release of All Eyez on Me Monica was asked to substantially reconstruct the record with a host of new producers and as a result she re entered recording studios to start work with songwriters Kanye West Jazze Pha Andre mrDEYO Deyo Bam amp Ryan and Dupri replacing executive producer Missy Elliott 23 Released in June 2003 After the Storm debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of 185 500 copies 24 This was Monica s first and only time reaching number one on the chart 24 It eventually received a gold certification and has sold 1 023 000 copies to date 3 Media reception of the CD was generally enthusiastic with AllMusic saying the album has all the assuredness and smart developments that should keep Monica s younger longtime followers behind her all the while holding the ability to appeal to a wider spectrum of R amp B and hip hop fans 25 The album s lead single Elliott penned So Gone was one of Monica s biggest commercial successes in years becoming her first top ten single since 1999 s Angel of Mine In addition it reached the top position of the Billboard R amp B Hip Hop Tracks and Hot Dance Club Play charts 26 Subsequently After the Storm spawned another three singles with final single U Should ve Known Better reaching number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 27 2006 2010 The Makings of Me Still Standing and reality television Edit Monica performing at the DC Black Pride in 2007 Towards the end of 2006 Monica released her next studio album The Makings of Me Titled after Curtis Mayfield s recording The Makings of You it saw her particularly reuniting with producers Elliott Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox they had previously contributed to After the Storm 28 The album received a positive reception from most professional music critics with AllMusic calling it a concise and mostly sweet set of songs 29 and Entertainment Weekly declaring it a solid addition to Monica s discography 30 While it debuted at number one on Billboard s Top R amp B Hip Hop albums chart and at number eight on the official Billboard 200 it widely failed to revive the success of its predecessors 31 Singles such as snap influenced Everytime tha Beat Drop featuring Atlanta hip hop group Dem Franchize Boyz and Elliott produced A Dozen Roses You Remind Me failed to reach the top forty of the regular pop charts 32 The same year she made a cameo appearance in the American comedy drama film ATL playing the Waffle House waitress In August 2008 Monica appeared in the Peachtree TV reality show special Monica The Single which tracked the recording of the song Still Standing for her same titled sixth studio album 33 The following year she lent her voice to the ballad Trust a duet with Keyshia Cole that peaked in the top five on Billboard Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart and joined the cast of Rockmond Dunbar s drama film Pastor Brown 34 In 2010 with the success of the 2008 one hour special Monica joined the production of the BET network for her own series Monica Still Standing producing a spin off her Peachtree show containing the same concept It focused on finding a hit single for the album s release while balancing her personal life as a full time mother and dealing with her troubled past The premiere and encore episode garnered 3 2 million total viewers while the show itself was made the second highest series debut in BET history behind the debut of Tiny amp Toya 35 and was given a B rating by Entertainment Weekly 36 Featuring production by Stargate Ne Yo and Polow da Don Still Standing was released in March 2010 and garnered a generally positive response by critics who perceived its sound as a return to the mid 1990s heyday of contemporary R amp B 37 The album debuted atop on Billboard s Top R amp B Hip Hop albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 184 000 copies becoming her highest charting album in years Lead single Everything to Me scored Monica her biggest chart success since 2003 s So Gone reaching the top position of the Billboard R amp B Hip Hop Tracks charts for seven weeks The album was certified gold by the RIAA with domestic shipments of 500 000 copies within a single month 38 With it success the album and Everything to Me were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R amp B Album and Best Female R amp B Vocal Performance presented at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011 39 In March 2010 it was announced that Monica and Hill had split in October 2009 surrounding rumors that he cheated 40 Monica and NBA player Shannon Brown met in June 2010 when while they shot her music video for her second single Love All Over Me 41 On November 22 2010 Monica married Brown in a secret ceremony at their Los Angeles home 42 follow by a second wedding in front of close family on July 9 2011 43 Also in 2010 Monica joined Trey Songz on his Passion Pain amp Pleasure Tour her first North American concert tour in ten years 44 2011 2016 New Life and Code Red Edit Monica performing in 2014 In 2011 Monica joined the debut season of the reality talent show The Voice as an adviser to musician coach Cee Lo Green 45 In April 2012 her seventh studio album New Life was released It marked her first release with RCA following the disbandment of J Records in October 2011 46 47 Reception for the album was generally mixed 48 AllMusic complimented the album s saucy spirited and soulful vibe 49 while Adam Markovitz of Entertainment Weekly criticized its cheesy choruses and outdated tunes 50 Commercially New Life debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums 51 The album spawned two preview singles Anything To Find You and Until It s Gone both of which peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart Lead single It All Belongs to Me another duet with singer Brandy charted similarly reaching number 23 on the same chart 52 The same year Monica along with Fred Hammond was featured on gospel music recording artist James Fortune and FIYA s single Hold On which became a top five hit on the Christian Songs chart and garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Song at the 54th awards ceremony 53 In October 2013 Monica appeared on the soundtrack of Malcolm D Lee s Christmas comedy drama The Best Man Holiday with her Jermaine Dupri produced rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 54 In December 2015 her eighth studio album Code Red was released 55 Upon its release the album received generally mixed reviews from most music critics and debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard 200 chart 56 Leading single Just Right for Me a collaboration with Lil Wayne reached number twelve on the Billboard Adult R amp B Songs chart but failed to impact elsewhere resulting in lackluster sales in general and the release of no further singles In support of the album Monica embarked on her first solo concert tour in years The Code Red Experience to promote Code Red In November 2016 Monica announced her departure from her longtime label RCA Records after two decades 57 2018 present New music and Verzuz Edit In December 2018 Monica released the ballad Be Human to introduce The Be Human Foundation a non profit organization founded by herself 58 The same month she previewed music from her ninth studio album Trenches when she appeared on the seventh season of the VH1 reality series T I amp Tiny The Family Hustle 59 60 In January 2019 she released Commitment the first single on her own label Mondeenise Music 61 A sleeper hit Commitment reached number one on the US Billboard Adult R amp B Songs in the week ending July 21 2019 becoming her first chart topper in nine years 62 This was followed by the release of Me You in April 2019 and title track Trenches featuring Lil Baby 59 The release of Trenches coincided with Monica and Brandy s appearances on the webcast battle series Verzuz which took place on August 31 2020 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta 63 64 At least 1 2 million people tuned in for the battle 65 On July 15 2022 66 Monica released a new single Friends featuring Ty Dolla ign 67 68 Artistry and influences EditMonica possesses an alto vocal range 69 70 which Billboard s Erika Ramirez described as impeccable 71 Elysa Gardner of the Los Angeles Times likened her husky dramatic alto to that of singer Toni Braxton 72 Writing that the singer arguably possesses the best alto of her generation PopMatters contributor Tyler Lewis said Monica has always been able to elevate even the most generic material with conviction and the sheer beauty of her voice despite believing she uses a little too much vibrato at times 73 Monica has said many times that Whitney Houston is her biggest inspiration and influence since childhood Another big influence is Mary J Blige Other artists she looks up to are Betty Wright Gladys Knight and Anita Baker 74 75 Personal life EditMonica s career slowed down in 1999 due to having problems in her relationship with ex boyfriend Jarvis Weems 2 In July 2000 the couple were together at the gravesite of Weems s brother who had died in an automobile accident at age 25 in 1998 Weems then without warning put a gun to his head and committed suicide 2 Afterward I felt What else could I have done You replay that situation over and over and you switch it around Maybe if I had said this or if I would have done that Monica said in an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer the following year It s just something that it s never possible for me to go back and change 2 Monica briefly dated rapper C Murder until he was incarcerated for a murder in 2003 76 Monica met rapper Rodney Rocko Hill a former SWA officer and real estate manager shortly after Weems s suicide a time which she described as her weakest 77 While the pair soon began dating in the fall of the same year they ended their relationship in 2004 A few months later Monica and Hill reunited and she became pregnant with their first child On May 21 2005 she gave birth to their son Rodney who performs under Rodneyy as a SoundCloud rapper 77 78 Monica and Hill then became engaged on Christmas Eve 2007 shortly before the birth of their second child On January 8 2008 their son named Romelo Montez Hill after Monica s younger brother was born 79 The couple split in early 2010 80 In June 2010 Monica met NBA player Shannon Brown while she was looking for someone to play the love interest in her video for the song Love All Over Me 41 In October 2010 she announced her engagement to Brown via her Twitter account posting a photo of a rose cut diamond ring 81 On November 22 2010 the couple married in a secret ceremony at their Los Angeles home Their wedding however did not become a matter of public record until January 21 2011 when Brown told the Hip Hop Non Stop TV Show 82 A second wedding ceremony was held for family and friends to attend in July 2011 83 On September 3 2013 Monica gave birth to her third child Laiyah Shannon 84 After eight years of marriage Monica filed for divorce from Brown in March 2019 85 In October 2019 their divorce was finalized 86 Discography EditMain articles Discography videography and recorded songs by Monica Miss Thang 1995 The Boy Is Mine 1998 All Eyez on Me 2002 After the Storm 2003 The Makings of Me 2006 Still Standing 2010 New Life 2012 Code Red 2015 Awards and nominations EditMain article List of awards and nominations received by MonicaFilmography EditList of television and films credits Year Title Role Notes1996 New York Undercover Herself Episode If This World Were Mine Season 2 Episode 26 Living Single Marissa Episode Kiss of the Spider Man Season 3 Episode 24 1997 Soul Train Musical Guest Episode Johnny Gill Monica Premiere Season 26 Episode 14 Beverly Hills 90210 Herself Episodes Mother s Day Season 7 Episode 29 The End of the World as We Know It Season 9 Episode 23 1999 All That Musical Guest Episode Monica Season 5 Episode 5 2000 Boys and Girls Katie Film debutBrak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak Musical Guest Cartoon Network musical TV specialLove Song Camille Livingston TV movie2001 Felicity Sarah Robinson Episode Miss Conception Season 4 Episode 4 2003 American Dreams Mary Wells Episode R E S P E C T Season 2 Episode 2 American Juniors Herself Guest Judge Episodes Episode 1 13 and Episode 1 14 2006 ATL Waffle House Waitress2009 Pastor Brown Lisa CrossMonica Still Standing Herself Reality series2010 Kourtney amp Kim Take Miami Herself Episode Picture Perfect 2011 Khloe amp Lamar Herself Episode Unbreakable The Voice Herself Adviser Episode The Battles Part 1 2016 Almost Christmas Waitress2016 The Real Herself Guest Co Host 2017 Star Announcer Episode Showtime References Edit Report Monica and NBA s Shannon Brown Married Since November EURweb com January 19 2011 Archived from the original on October 16 2013 Retrieved October 8 2013 a b c d e f g h Mumbi Moody Nekesa June 27 2003 Monica Triumphs Over Tragedy After the Storm Enquirer Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 1 2007 a b c Trust Gary August 6 2010 Ask Billboard As Years Go By Billboard Archived from the original on January 5 2016 Retrieved May 11 2022 Trust Gary January 28 2010 Ask Billboard As Years Go By Billboard Retrieved October 2 2010 Trust Gary August 10 2010 Ask Billboard Olympics Monica Smokey Robinson Billboard Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 22 2010 The Top 50 R amp B Hip Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years Billboard November 18 2010 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved January 29 2010 Seymour Craig October 1 2002 Monica Pain Is Love Vibe Retrieved June 19 2010 via Google Books a b Dougherty Steve July 14 2003 Life After Death People Archived from the original on September 17 2008 Retrieved June 19 2010 Polow Da Don s Surprise Gift for Monica Rap Up April 9 2010 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 19 2010 a b Exclusive Interview With Monica ConcreteLoop com September 5 2006 Archived from the original on October 28 2006 Retrieved June 19 2010 Starling Kelly August 1 2000 Monica On Growing Up amp The Pregnancy Rumors Ebony Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 19 2010 via FindArticles com MONICA GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL MTV News June 13 1997 Retrieved January 17 2022 a b Ewey Melissa September 1 1998 Monica Miss Thang Grows Up Ebony Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved October 22 2010 via FindArticles com Murphy Keith April 7 2012 Monica Has a Fresh Start on RCA With New Life Billboard Retrieved May 11 2022 Gold amp Platinum RIAA Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved May 11 2022 Bland Bridget October 25 2009 Monica Still Standing With New BET Reality Show And Forthcoming Music Entertainment Newsire Archived from the original on October 31 2014 Retrieved April 3 2010 a b Jet Monica Proves She Has Staying Power With Hit Album The Boy Is Mine February 25 2006 Archived from the original on February 25 2006 Nero Mark Edward Artist Bio R amp B Singer Monica About com Guide Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 2 2007 a b RIAA Gold amp Platinum Searchable Database Recording Industry Association of America Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved January 28 2011 Gold amp Platinum RIAA Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved May 11 2022 The Boy Is Mine album review Rolling Stone Archived from the original on December 14 2006 Retrieved June 2 2007 Erlewine Stephen Thomas Review The Boy Is Mine Monica AllMusic Retrieved June 2 2007 Wiederhorn Jon March 31 2003 Missy DMX Tyrese To Give Monica s New LP Extra Oomph VH1 Archived from the original on October 1 2007 Retrieved January 28 2011 a b Mayfield Geoff July 5 2003 Monica Storms to First No 1 Album Billboard Prometheus Global Media Retrieved May 11 2022 Kellman Andy Review After the Storm Monica AllMusic Retrieved May 31 2007 Chart Beat Bonus Gone Good to Go Billboard June 20 2003 Archived from the original on September 22 2014 Retrieved July 31 2008 U Should ve Known Better A Charts Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved August 10 2008 Rodriguez Jayson September 8 2006 Monica Overcomes Pregnancy Rumors Ex Boyfriend s Suicide To Form Makings of Me VH1 Archived from the original on February 19 2007 Retrieved May 28 2007 Kellman Andy Review The Makings of Me Monica AllMusic Retrieved May 28 2007 Dombal Ryan September 29 2008 The Makings of Me review Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved May 28 2007 Trust Gary August 10 2010 Ask Billboard As Years Go By Billboard Retrieved September 22 2010 St Fleur Patrick March 16 2010 Monica Interview Still Living Still Strong Still Standing WordofSouth com Archived from the original on March 24 2010 Retrieved April 3 2010 Crosley Hillary December 15 2008 Monica Gets Busy On Sixth Album Billboard Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved December 17 2008 Keyshia Cole Chart History Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved May 7 2020 Seidman Robert October 28 2009 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards And The Series Premiere Of Monica Still Standing Bring In Big Numbers TVByTheNumbers com Archived from the original on May 24 2010 Retrieved November 25 2010 Tonight s Best On TV Entertainment Weekly November 21 2010 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved November 25 2010 Wood Mikael March 17 2010 Still Standing review Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved January 28 2011 Monica s Still Standing Certified Gold ThatGrapeJuice April 22 2010 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 19 2010 Exclusive Q amp A Monica Reacts to Grammy Nominations Rap Up December 1 2010 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved December 3 2010 Hope Clover March 22 2010 Monica Addresses Rocko Breakup Cheating Rumors I Never Felt So Confused Vibe Archived from the original on May 31 2010 Retrieved June 19 2010 a b Video Monica Love All Over Me Rap Up January 29 2011 Archived from the original on July 20 2010 Retrieved July 15 2010 LA Lakers Shannon Brown Secretly Weds R amp B Singer Monica New York Post January 21 2011 Retrieved January 21 2011 Eggenberger Nicole January 29 2011 Monica Shares Shannon Brown Engagement News OK Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved January 21 2011 Thomas Rebecca September 17 2010 Trey Songz Makes Audience Swoon On NYC Tour Stop MTV News Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 22 2010 Scarpa Gina May 2 2011 Monica Joins NBC s The Voice Vibe Retrieved November 7 2012 Rap Up TV Interviews Monica Part I Rap Up com September 20 2010 Archived from the original on September 23 2010 Retrieved September 22 2010 Scarpa Gina December 15 2010 The Voice Exclusive Interview With Monica RealityWanted com Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved May 31 2011 New Life Reviews Ratings Credits and More at Metacritic Metacritic Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved April 10 2012 Collar Matt New Life Monica AllMusic Review Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved April 10 2012 Markovitz Adam April 10 2012 New Live review Monica Review Entertainment Weekly No 1202 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved April 10 2012 Rap Up TV Monica Talks Album Sales New Single Without You Rap Up April 20 2012 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved November 6 2012 Brandy and Monica Duet It All Belongs to Me Due Next Month Rap Up January 17 2012 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved February 5 2012 2013 Christian Grammy winners Christian Today February 11 2013 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved May 15 2013 The Best Man Holiday liner notes Various Artists RCA Records 2013 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Monica Preps New Album with Big Name Producers Rap Up October 10 2012 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved January 6 2013 Monica s New Life Makes Top 5 Debut Rap Up April 18 2012 Archived from the original on April 20 2012 Retrieved December 29 2015 Monica Leaves RCA Records Rap Up November 17 2016 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved February 25 2017 Monica Creates The Be Human Foundation to Create Positive Change in Society Releases New Video YouKnowGotSoul com January 12 2018 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved February 25 2017 a b Monica Returns with New Single Trenches Featuring Lil Baby Rap Up August 31 2020 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 1 2020 New Music Monica Commitment Rap Up com Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved January 14 2018 Commitment Single iTunes US Retrieved January 12 2018 Anderson Trevor July 23 2019 Monica s Commitment to True R amp B Rewarded With Fourth No 1 On Adult R amp B Songs Billboard Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 1 2019 Get ready for the queens 4everBrandy and MonicaDenise on VERZUZ Monday August 31st 8PM EST on our IG and Apple Music Drinks by ciroc Twitter August 22 2020 Retrieved August 23 2020 Cordero Rosy August 23 2020 Brandy and Monica announce epic Verzuz battle Get ready for the queens Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved August 23 2020 Vera Amira September 1 2020 Kamala Harris makes cameo appearance in record breaking Brandy vs Monica Verzuz battle cnn com Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 1 2020 Folk Antwane July 8 2022 Monica Announces Release Date for New Single Friends Rated RnB Retrieved July 15 2022 New Song Monica Friends featuring Ty Dolla ign That Grape Juice July 14 2022 Retrieved July 15 2022 Pierre Mekishana July 12 2022 Monica Opens Up About Her 9th Studio Album and Breaking Into Country Music With Open Roads Exclusive Entertainment Tonight Retrieved July 15 2022 Take it Personal Metro Weekly May 23 2007 Retrieved July 5 2022 Croom Phyllis At Nissan Monica Steals Carter s Show The Washington Post Retrieved July 5 2022 Ramirez Erika April 10 2012 Monica New Life Track By Track Review Billboard Retrieved July 5 2022 Gardner Elysa August 8 1998 Next From the Diva Machine It s not entirely coincidence that Monica seems poised to follow in the footsteps of Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston Los Angeles Times Retrieved July 5 2022 Lewis Tyler December 1 2010 MONICA STILL STANDING PopMatters Retrieved July 5 2022 The Story of Miss Thang Part 1 Southside Monica Arnold On Mary J Blige BET via YouTube Stewart Allison August 12 2003 22 Going on 40 or Not The Village Voice Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved September 6 2019 a b Checkoway Laura October 1 2006 Through The Fire Vibe Retrieved June 19 2010 via Google Books Angel H D The Browser 5 A Q amp A with Rodneyy Finals blog Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved April 30 2021 Monica Welcomes Second Son EURweb com January 9 2008 Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved June 19 2010 Hope Clover March 22 2010 Monica Addresses Rocko Breakup Cheating Rumors I Never Felt So Confused Vibe Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved February 19 2017 Hensel Amanda October 18 2010 Monica Engaged to Shannon Brown AOL Music Archived from the original on October 22 2010 Retrieved October 18 2010 LA Lakers Shannon Brown Secretly Weds R amp B Singer Monica New York Post January 21 2011 Retrieved January 21 2011 Monica marries again in lavish ceremony The Marquee Blog CNN com Blogs Marquee blogs cnn com Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved July 30 2014 Eggenberger Nicole September 6 2013 Monica and Shannon Brown Welcome Baby Girl Us Weekly Archived from the original on October 21 2021 Retrieved December 3 2016 Nelson Jeff March 27 2019 Monica Files for Divorce from Shannon Brown After 8 Years of Marriage Report People Archived from the original on March 28 2019 Retrieved March 29 2019 Nelson Jeff October 22 2019 R amp B Star Monica Finalizes Divorce from Shannon Brown Report People Archived from the original on October 23 2019 Retrieved November 2 2019 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monica Official website Monica at Billboard com Monica at IMDb Monica at AllMusic Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Monica singer amp oldid 1130537291, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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