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The Best Monica Songs to Listen to Ahead of Her Brandy Verzuz Battle
Monica's been a chart-topper since she was 15.
Monica found the spotlight young, releasing her debut album Miss Thang at just 15 years old and suddenly becoming the face of a coming R&B; revolution. Hits like "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" and "Before You Walk Out of My Life" made her a household name, and 25 years later she remains an important figure. Her triple platinum debut Miss Thang ruled the charts in the mid-'90s, and she ascended to an even higher plane of fame when she and Brandy teamed up for "The Boy is Mine."
Unlike many of her peers who leaned towards a more easily digestible pop sound, the Atlanta native was always comfortable in the world of hip-hop, working with a variety of rappers and building rhythms around her melodies that felt more inspired by contemporary rap than anything else ("Like This and Like That," "Ain't Nobody"). That's continued as her career has progressed, though she's also grown into a compelling vocalist capable of holding her own on collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Tyrese, Keyshia Cole, and, of course, Brandy.
Over the last few decades, Monica has built a robust discography featuring tender love songs ("For You I Will"), steely-eyed breakup tracks ("It All Belongs to Me"), and feel-good jams, too ("Everytime Tha Beat Drop").
It's been five years since Monica's last album, Code Red, and though rumors of a project called Chapter 38 emerged last year, nothing ever came to fruition. Even so, her catalogue remains worth a deep dive, at once nostalgic and comforting while also showcasing some forward-thinking ideas that were ahead of the R&B; curve.
Before of her hotly anticipated Verzuz battle with friend and collaborator Brandy on August 31, here are the 12 best Monica songs to listen to, including some of her most popular hits.
Monica and Brandy's update on the tug-of-war love song was one of the biggest hits of the '90s, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks. The two trade verses about the object of their shared affection, vocal riffs coiling and intertwining atop the thick bass and percussion. "The Boy is Mine" was groundbreaking, and it showcases every ounce of charisma possessed by its two young stars.
Monica's first solo single "Don't Take It Personal" was a colossal hit, positioning her as a candid, authentic voice in a sugary pop world. Unlike many teenage stars, Monica's debut single had a genuine edge to it, thanks to shrewd samples of LL Cool J and Public Enemy that give the song its throwback breakbeat.
One of several hit singles taken from the Space Jam soundtrack, "For You I Will" is a powerhouse ballad, the kind that instantly takes you back to the '90s when you catch even a few notes flipping stations. The slow pace of the track gives Monica's vocals room to roam, and she offers up with some of her most memorable falsetto riffs.
One of the bigger hits from Monica's era working with Jermaine Dupri, "U Should've Known Better" is a powerfully delivered slow-burner about having faith in a partner to stay invested through adversity. "You should've known better / Than to think I would leave / You should've known better / Than to doubt me," she sings. The video, which features G-Unit rapper Young Buck as Monica's love interest, strongly suggests the song is about staying with someone through a prison sentence.
Built around a chopped up sample of Doug E. Fresh's classic "La Di Da Di," Monica's "Before You Walk Out of My Life" is another simmering love song dressed up like a mellow rap record filled with DJ scratches. "Remembering the good times / From a portrait hung up high / It's filled with so much color / And the laughter we left behind," she reflects.
Inspired by the slick '80s pop production of Quincy Jones (and sampling "P.Y.T."), Monica and producer Rodney Jerkins made a pretty irresistible record in "All Eyez on Me." The single was supposed to be the title track from her third LP, but after heavy bootlegging and mixed reviews, All Eyez on Me was rerecorded and turned into After the Storm.
Monica's foray into the '00s snap rap trend produced the Atlanta ode "Everytime Tha Beat Drop," which saw her reunite with Jermaine Dupri and his acolytes in Dem Franchize Boyz. Though she delivers her verses with icy restraint, "Everytime" is actually a song about not being too cool to dance in the club.
Another top 10 hit from Miss Thang and one of Monica's most tender records to date, "Why I Love You So Much" is a syrupy song about a partner hitting all the right notes. "You mean the world, and everything that I want for / Since I've been your girl, oh, my whole life has been much better than ever before," she sings over warm bass and soaring keyboard chords.
Originally recorded by U.K. pop group Eternal, Monica made "Angel of Mine" a stateside hit in 1998, eventually topping the Hot 100. The melody sounds tailor-made for Monica, and her vocal performance here is among her most impassioned,
Monica teamed with Naughty By Nature's Treach for "Ain't Nobody," a cheeky record about all the things you can provide for a partner. Once again, Monica showcases her ability to fit seamlessly over harder, hip-hop instrumentals.
Monica is tired of waiting around on"Like This And Like That." The song, which sees her harmonizing and finding unique rhythmic pockets over a Spoonie Gee sample, is all about demanding commitment before things get too far gone. Mr. Malik streaks by for a nimble, memorable guest verse.
Monica and Brandy's first collaboration since "The Boy is Mine" doesn't quite live up to the hype of their first world-conquering duet, but "It All Belongs To Me" is a wry, empowering song that serves as a suitable sequel. Instead of fighting over a man, the two R&B stars are kicking a freeloader to the curb, and reminding him that they're the ones who've been affording him such a lavish lifestyle.
Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. He has written for Billboard, Complex, and i-D, among other outlets.
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