Monica is standing strong with the upcoming release of her sixth studio album, “Still Standing.” After a four-year hiatus, the R&B singer is back in the spotlight with a new project that features productions by Polow Da Don, Bryan Michael Cox, Missy Elliott, Dallas Austin, Johnta Austin, Babyface and Jermaine Dupri. The album features collaboration by Ludacris as well as Monica’ sister on the vocals.
The 29 year-old singer and occasional actress was discovered in Atlanta by music producer Dallas Austin while she was performing Whitney Houston 1986’s “Greatest Love of All.” Amazed by her voice, Austin offered Monica her first record deal. Soon after, Queen Latifah became the songstress’s first manager and two year later Monica came to prominence following the release of her 1995 debut album “Miss Thang.”
Co-produced by Daryl Simmons and Soulshock & Karlin, “Miss Thang” received mixed reviews but eventually the album was able to land at # 36 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #7 on the Top R&B Albums chart as well as selling over three millions copies in the U.S. and producing three top ten singles.
The lead single “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)” and the second single “Before You Walk Out Of My Life”/”Like This and Like That,” a double-A-single, both entered the top ten of the official Billboard Hot 100 making Monica the youngest recording artist to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Singles chart.
Monica’ second album, “The Boy Is Mine,” released in 1998, was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin, Rodney Jerkins, among others and it featured guest appearances by Brandy, Outkast, and 112. The album spawned five singles including “The Boy Is Mine,” “Angel of Mine,” “The First Night,” “Right Here Waiting” and “Street Symphony.”
Unfortunately, Monica’s other releases were not as successful as her first two albums but it did not stop the singer from recording new material.
The album is out today, March 23rd.
Written by Valerie Varasse
