Songwriter and producer Victoria Monét has built a powerhouse career in contemporary pop and R&B, highlighted by her extensive work on Ariana Grande’s Grammy-nominated 2019 album Thank U, Next. According to Billboard, Monét co-wrote several of the record’s defining tracks, including the chart-topping singles “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings,” cementing her status as a premier architect of modern pop hits before launching her own critically acclaimed solo career.
The Collaborative Foundation Behind Thank U, Next
Working alongside Ariana Grande, Tayla Parx, and producer Tommy Brown, Victoria Monét spent intense studio sessions crafting the vulnerable and rapid-fire tracklist for Thank U, Next. According to Variety reporting, the creative team wrote and recorded major portions of the album in just two weeks following a tumultuous period in Grande’s personal life. Monét’s deep creative partnership with Grande yielded massive commercial success, earning the album a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
Beyond the title track and “7 Rings,” Monét’s songwriting credits on the project extended to fan favorites such as “NASA,” “Needy,” and “Ghostin.” According to ASCAP database records, her contributions focused heavily on melodic phrasing and conversational lyricism, helping translate Grande’s real-life experiences into universally relatable radio anthems that dominated the Billboard Hot 100.
Transitioning to Solo Stardom
While establishing herself as a go-to writer for artists like Grande, Fifth Harmony, and Chloe x Halle, Monét simultaneously pursued her own solo artistry. According to Pitchfork, her breakthrough came with the release of her 2020 project Jaguar, which drew widespread critical praise for its lush, 1970s-inspired funk and R&B production. The momentum continued when she released its full-length follow-up, Jaguar II.
At the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024, Monét’s solo efforts culminated in historic wins. According to the Recording Academy, she took home the award for Best New Artist, alongside trophies for Best R&B Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Industry analysts noted that the wins validated a decade-long industry grind that began firmly behind the mixing boards and songwriting pads of Los Angeles recording studios.
Legacy in Modern R&B Songwriting
Monét’s trajectory represents a shifting paradigm in the music industry, where top-tier songwriters increasingly step into the spotlight as primary recording artists. According to Rolling Stone, her ability to balance elite commercial songwriting with a distinct personal artistic vision has established a blueprint for modern R&B creators. Collaborators frequently cite her meticulous ear for vocal arrangement and harmony as a defining influence on the soundscape of late-2010s and 2020s pop music.
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