When Monica entered the music business in the early ’90s, she was just 11-years-old with a voice unmatched.
Despite her tender age, the Atlanta native’s voice would carry her to the top of the Billboard charts with classic hits like “Don’t Take It Personal,” “Before You Walk Out of My Life,” and “Why I Love You So Much.” All three hits are from her classic debut album, Miss Thang.
By 1998, Monica was a teenager and a Grammy award-winning singer with her duet with Brandy on “The Boy is Mine,” which is among the greatest R&B duets of all time.
Throughout her career, she has remained true to herself while still experimenting with different sounds. With other timeless hits like “So Gone,” “U Should’ve Known Better,” “Everything To Me,” and “Love All Over Me,” to name a few, Monica has helped shape the genre we love — R&B.
It’s no secret that R&B music has been swept under the rug in the world of mainstream music. However, with Monica’s eighth studio album, Code Red, due on Dec. 18, she celebrates her love and dedication to the genre.
“I’m fully immersed in this necessary movement for R&B Music,” she said. “There’s no greater feeling than doing what you love with authenticity.”
Executive produced by Polow Da Don and Monica, Code Red will include previously shared tracks “Just Right For Me” featuring Lil Wayne, “I Know,” “Hustler’s Ambition” featuring Akon, “Alone in Your Heart” and the title track featuring Missy Elliott and Laiyah (Monica’s daughter).
While at her second-to-last stop of her Code Red Experience Tour in Baltimore, Monica sat down with Rated R&B for a candid interview.
The R&B veteran discussed her most memorable moment on tour, the meaning behind Code Red and how she picked featured artists for the album. She also ‘decoded’ three tracks from Code Red, including “All Men Lie” featuring Timbaland, “Ocean of Tears,” and “Deep.”
Check out excerpts from our interview with Monica and watch the full Q&A below.
On the most memorable moment on Code Red Experience:
It’s funny because there are so many memorable moments on tour. I think some of them are the ones you don’t see, like behind the scenes. I enjoy watching my boys run meet and greet, and my daughter is usually my hype woman before I get on stage…
On Code Red:
I’m just saying let’s fight for a genre of music that’s special, that’s everlasting and that’s timeless and let’s introduce a whole ‘nother generation to it.
The inspiration behind the title track:
The title track was inspired by the sound that lived in Atlanta, especially in the ’90s.
On “All Men Lie”:
“All Men Lie” is hilarious. I think funny ‘cause I don’t believe that all men lie. I believe that the majority and the majority wouldn’t have sounded as good in the song…I think what’s dope about “All Men Lie” is that it was written and kind of created by a man [Timbaland]. So that says a lot for a man to sit down and pen down such a bold statement like that.
On “Ocean of Tears”:
When I think about that record, it’s strictly based on emotion and how you feel when you’re connected to someone that’s just not treating you the way you should be treated.
On “Deep”:
This record is really chill, laid-back, and straight to the point about how deep the love between me and my husband is. So, the record is really, really one of my favorites on the album.
Watch our interview with Monica, where she discusses Code Red, below.
Pre-order Code Red on iTunes now!
Gotta love Mo