Nineties R&B fans had an exciting moment last week when rumors began circulating that vocal powerhouses Brandy and Monica are reportedly embarking on “The Boy Is Mine Tour” this fall. While no official announcement has been made yet, with Monica’s debut album “Miss Thang” celebrating its 30th anniversary next month, I thought it would be the perfect pick for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Discovered by music legend Dallas Austin when she was twelve years old, Moncia’s debut album differed from other young acts releasing music at the time. The first single, “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days was produced by Austin and co-written with Derrick Simmons. Set to a sample of LL Cool J’s 1993 bop Back Seat (Of My Jeep)”, which itself samples elements from the song “You’re Gettin’ a Little Too Smart” by The Detroit Emeralds, it was the perfect debut song.
Monica’s reflective vocal delivery expresses her frustration and desire for solitude, a sentiment many women can relate to. Austin uses songwriting to portray Monica’s vulnerability, helping her recognize her emotional state without blaming her partner. The song highlights communication as a vital component of relationships. Through the chorus, listeners understand that her emotional fluctuations reflect personal challenges rather than a lack of love for her partner.
The production duo Soulshock & Karlin created the next single, “Before You Walk Out of My Life,” co-written with Andrea Martin. This mid-tempo R&B ballad was initially intended for Toni Braxton, but it suited Monica better, especially considering she was just fifteen. Her vocal delivery captures regret and longing as she pleads with a partner not to leave, reflecting on past mistakes and expressing a desire to mend their relationship before it’s too late. The song resonated with teens experiencing their first love and, possibly, their first heartbreak.
The album’s third single, “Like This and Like That,” brought her back together with Dallas Austin and was crafted for the club scene. It features a sample from “Spoonin’ Rap” by Spoonie G. This relatable anthem for women addresses a man’s inconsistency and lack of commitment in a relationship. Monica expresses her willingness to move on if things do not improve.
R&B legend Daryl Simmons produced the album’s fourth single, “Why I Love You So Much,” another ballad that serves as a heartfelt dedication to a significant other who brings immense happiness and positivity to one’s life. The album’s final single, “Ain’t Nobody,” was another dedication song, with the key difference being that it was up-tempo and featured at Hot 16 from Treach.
The rest of the album explores the typical nineties R&B tropes, all of which Monica slays vocally. Two of the standouts are covers: The SOS Band’s “Tell Me If You Still Care” and Lattimore’s “Let’s Straighten It Out” (featuring Usher). A stronger album that some singers twice her, “Miss Thang”, was the perfect kick-off to Moncia’s career.
Final Grade: B+
“Miss Thang” is available on all streaming platforms.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.