Victoria Monét photographed for JAGUAR II.
JAGUAR II is set to signal a new era for Victoria Monét. The artist is launching her debut album with a featured artist lineup including Earth, Wind & Fire, Buju Banton, Lucky Daye, and her daughter Hazel Monét.
As no stranger to the music industry, Monét is excited for her community to enjoy new sounds she’s carefully curated for over three years–inspired by all she’s learned from the industry. “I created JAGUAR II as a continuation of all the love my EP JAGUAR received. I wanted to expand on the meaning, essence, and definition behind the original album,” says Monét. Songs from JAGUAR like “We Might Even Be Falling in Love (Interlude),” “Experience,” “Moment,” and “Ass Like That” have left listeners longing for more.
The Message Behind JAGUAR II
The title JAGUAR for Monét is inspired by the black jaguar—an animal that often lives and lurks behind the bushes until it's ready to pounce. Monét has found herself to be a jaguar in the industry, starting as a songwriter and producer then jumping into the forefront as an artist. She is notorious for her work with Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Brandy, BLACKPINK, and others. However, artistry has been Monét’s vision from the very beginning. And her journey has been riddled with some inspiring moments that have laid the foundation for some of the messages in her new tracks.
Album cover for Victoria Monét's JAGUAR II.
“Smoke” celebrates the acceptance and vibrancy created by recent marijuana laws, “Party Girls” illuminates new and old school-inspired tones featuring the iconic Jamaican artist Buju Banton, “On My Mama” celebrates listeners’ family lineages and gives fraternities and sororities a new step sound, and “Hollywood” expands on the love and aspirations of those evolving or hoping to evolve in the Hollywood. The album additionally features heavy bass-line sounds in songs like the Kaytranada-produced “Alright,” smooth melodic tones in “How Does It Make You Feel,” and illuminates moving string and wind melodies in “Cadillac.”
The beauty of the album is its mix of old and new school sounds spanning generations and genres in a form that’s unique by Monét who leverages true instrumentation to add texture to the music in a way that weaves the listener into the messaging. The album is also colored by beautiful reprises and transitions that leave listeners without realizing they’ve just sat through a half an hour of music.
The Process And Team Lifting the Album
Monét’s art is one that has been paralleled by a rich work ethic and inspiring team. The album is produced by Monét and Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II. D’Mile is notorious for his GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning producing for artists like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Silk Sonic, H.E.R, Justin Bieber, Diddy, Janet Jackson, and Lucky Daye, to list a few.
In addition to an action-packed production and representation team—and Monét’s stellar songwriting abilities—is her timed approach to sharing her production with the public by releasing songs from the album in increments with moments for listeners to join in on the fun. Visual releases included a tutorial for dancers globally to learn the steps from “Party Girls,” the Jamaica-shot music video pulling in nearly 4M viewers and counting, a moment highlighting fraternities and sororities strolling with “On My Mama” as the backing track, and opportunities for listeners to shout out their mamas in tributes over the song. “Smoke” was also released in parallel with the nationally acclaimed day “04/20” to celebrate the occasion.
Along with the content shared leading up to the full album’s anticipated release, Monét’s multifaceted talent has also shone brightly, including her revered dance skills and stamina while singing–which lives within the ranks of some of today’s most noted artists. And while Monét has worked to perfect her craft from childhood–in holiday plays and school performing arts programs—to today—as a songwriter, producer, and more—she has been huge on shining a light on others. From her manager to choreographer, pole dance teacher, makeup artists, hair stylists, tour fashion designers, other artists, friends, and family, having known what it’s been like to scale within the industry, she’s continuously lifting as she rises.
Inspiring The Next Generation of Artists
If there’s anything we’ve learned from Monét, it’s the great level of commitment and precision that goes into producing a work of art. More importantly, to back that art is the years of collective wisdom fueling how the art is curated, presented, and all around received.
In order to thrive, Monét has leaned into living out the following over the course of her journey, which she shares as inspiration for the next generation of artists:
- The road may be long... keep going, hone your craft: “Each experience is a stepping stone adding to your arsenal of wisdom. At different moments elements of those experiences will have an opportunity to shine. Those experiences will enable you to be strategic in your decision-making and strengthen you in the industry.”
- Take your time, and feel out the moment when your work is complete: “With the creation of JAGUAR II there was a moment where I felt that something was missing and wanted to bring more to the compilation of music for listeners. Instead of ignoring it, I leaned into that feeling until I felt the work of art was rounded. Be open to feedback, but listen to that inner voice guiding you, it’s your art.”
- Share gratitude and kindness. Shout out those across the aisle from you, there’s room for everyone: “Each person has a story to be told and is traveling a journey where you never know if and when your paths may cross and a need may emerge. Greet every person and opportunity with humility and possibility. Some of your greatest allies and teachers can come from any experience big or small.”
JAGUAR II will be available on all streaming platforms on August 25th. Monét will also be traveling on a tour that sold out within minutes of launching to perform the album internationally and nationally, in over 15 states, beginning September 6th in Detroit.
