The Victorious Transformation of Victoria Monét

      Victoria Monét's music has evolved significantly. Once characterized by rich, honeyed tones that flowed through sultry beats and orchestral arrangements, her new music now ascends to new heights. She describes this transformation as trading her claws for butterfly wings. In early May, during a brief moment of downtime between rehearsals, I was greeted by her signature sugar-dipped voice, familiar from countless plays of "On My Mama" on the radio and at vibrant parties in New York City. This hour was the only time she could spare amidst a packed rehearsal schedule leading up to her participation in The Romantic Tour with Bruno Mars, which kicks off later this month in Saint-Denis, France. Since winning three awards at the 2024 Grammys, including Best New Artist, Monét has been in a whirlwind of activity, and she understands fans’ curiosity about her relative quiet over the past two years.

      For those new to Monét's music, brace yourselves. She has been establishing herself in the industry for over 15 years, primarily as a hit songwriter and collaborator for well-known artists like Ariana Grande, Chlöe x Halle, and Fifth Harmony before embarking on a solo career. After six studio albums, 26 singles, and 36 award nominations, Monét is now undergoing a metamorphosis, shedding the pressure of expectations and accolades to write a new chapter in her journey. I met her just a few days after her 37th birthday, which she has marked as the start of a fresh and refined phase in her life. In a bold statement, she deleted every photo before May 1 from her Instagram profile—even those showcasing her significant awards—sending a strong message that her value isn’t defined by her past accomplishments but by who she is today.

      Curious about her social media reset, I ask if it's indicative of a new album or a bad breakup. Fortunately for her fans, it’s the former. Monét reveals that her upcoming album is her most extensive work to date, with a release date and title she’s keeping tightly under wraps. However, listeners have already been treated to her smooth new single "Let Me," which was the top-added song on R&B radio during its debut week. "I wanted to start fresh, using my birthday as a launch point," she explains softly. Her upcoming music will introduce listeners to a world of monochrome nostalgia, influenced by childhood memories of dancing in front of her grandmother's old TV in Mobile, Alabama, while reflecting her renewed perspective on life.

      Winning three Grammys changed how the world sees her, and while she appreciates the recognition ("It's a peer-voted award"), she felt a sense of disillusionment in the aftermath of the ceremony. "After such an accolade, people often look for ways to undermine its legitimacy," she shares, a note of sadness in her voice. It’s a familiar scenario of having support until success reveals others’ insecurities. Monét acknowledges that reaching this level makes one realize the isolation that can accompany success.

      Despite the online discourse, the awards brought her personal pride and increased media attention, rapidly opening new doors for her. However, she admits that these opportunities rarely led her into a recording studio. "After the Grammys, I was so busy that I hardly spent time in the studio, which I dislike," Monét states. Her life became a whirlwind of rehearsals, festival appearances, and press events. "I had long awaited these opportunities, so my team was saying yes to everything," she recalls. While she doesn’t blame anyone for it, the experience taught her valuable lessons. Yet, she felt the pull away from what initially earned her recognition. "This is one reason the album has taken longer," she explains. "If I receive another Grammy, I think I would do the opposite and focus solely on the studio,” she muses, as she anticipates life beyond what I’m referring to as Victoria Monét 7 for now. She describes the demanding content creation side of her career as a non-stop task, feeling disconnected from her initial vision of the music industry. "But I'm on board because I want the music to reach its fullest potential," she adds. She ardently considers her upcoming album her very own Thriller, drawing inspiration from Michael Jackson's iconic record.

      "When he created Thriller, he aimed to transcend his expected image," she elaborates, highlighting Jackson’s genre-blending approach as a pivotal motivator for her new project. "The album doesn't conform to a specific genre, featuring surprising sonic explorations alongside natural evolutions from Jaguar." This influence is apparent in the seven tracks I previewed, which mix vintage guitar and violin sounds with synths and smooth vocals. The opening track evokes nostalgic images of VHS tapes and memorable Disney princesses, recalling cherished moments in her grandmother's living room where Monét first encountered music. Classic films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins greatly influenced her