She’s a Multi-Platinum selling artist, Grammy Award winning singer, Mom of two, actress and newlywed. 30 year –old Monica has indeed “been through the storm” and triumphed on the other end stronger than ever.
Growing up in College Park a suburb of Atlanta, GA she got her start singing gospel in church. When she was 6, Monica was crushed when her parents split, leaving her caught in between two very different worlds, her mother the church going-god fearing woman and her dad the street smart man. But, by the age of 12 she found stardom with her hit single, (Don’t Take It Personal) “Just One of Them Days” .
Monica has had to fight through some devastating tragedies in life that would probably make most young women give up all together. She doesn’t just sing about life’s highs and lows, relationship woes and loss, she’s not only lived through it but has chosen to turn loss into lessons.
Unfortunately, Monica is no stranger to heartbreak. In 2000, she was witness to her boyfriend taking his life right before her eyes. She then suffered the loss of her best friend and cousin to a brain aneurism, then had her first love rapper C-Murder incarcerated on murder charges. Most recently, she experienced yet another heartache while engaged to the father of her two boys, Rapper Rocko but the relationship didn’t work out due to him being unfaithful on several occasions.
To date Monica has had 7 studio albums, and has been one of the most successful female R&B vocalist. Almost every album has debut at number one on the charts, but like any other Artist she’s been through career slumps. In 2002 her album, “All Eyez on Me” was leaked before production and only ended up being released overseas.
However, she has continued on and kept moving inspiring us with songs like, “Still Standing” and “Gone Be Fine.” Monica has the ability to really reach us with her powerful lyrics and relates to her fans through her music by sharing her personal experiences, lessons learned and her grounded down to earth spirit. Monica makes number one commitment to her two boys, which she keeps even all the while still managing a successful career recording and touring. Throughout her life she turned to her spirituality first and foremost, family and close friends like Kelly Rowland, Missy Elliot, Ciara to help her during severe periods of depression.
Relaying much of her difficulties and experiences through her music, having an outstanding career and keeping family first are all reasons Monica is definitely a Girl Who Gets It.
With 2001's Songs in A Minor, Alicia Keys convinced an entire generation hooked on Britney, boy bands and backup dancers that the simplicity of a woman and her piano can have pop appeal. Her blend of R&B, hip hop and classical music has sold more than 20 million albums and earned Keys nine Grammy Awards.
