It’s been quite a whirlwind of a year for the Sacramento, California raised singer and songwriter Victoria Monet. Just prior to dropping JAGUAR II, her long-awaited follow-up to it’s 2020 counterpart, it felt like she was on the cusp of really breaking out. It’s safe to say that became a reality, as the project went on to take home three GRAMMY awards (Best New Artist, R&B Album, and Engineered Album, Non-Classical). Unfortunately, those major wins have been followed up by painful loss. She has recently been dealing with a painful breakup from boyfriend and father to her daughter, John Gaines.
She expressed her emotions beautifully in a recent statement, saying how it’s essentially been a struggle but not messy by any means. Still, she’s making sure they are both moving on from each other in a healthy manner. Making music for most artist’s is a great way to escape from the stresses, and Victoria Monet dropping the deluxe of JAGUAR II could help her too. It may not be one of the reasons, but it does drop at an opportune time for her. It’s also here because of the incredible success of the original 11-song set. Monet has 10 new songs to share, including some older cuts such as “SOS” with USHER and “We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet)” with Bryson Tiller. Both highlight how in tune she is with her sexual and sensual side, as she leans into full erotica and super cuddly moments as well.
Over on X (formerly Twitter), Victoria revealed the forthcoming album’s release date, writing: “ JAGUAR II DELUXE is otw!! 10/4! It’s available for pre-order right now. go do that please .”
Back in February during an appearance on iHeart Radio’s The New Hit List, Victoria confirmed she begun working on the project but was hesitant to share any further details. Now, supporters have a better understanding of what’s to come thanks to a sit down with Apple Music’s New Music Daily, we know Jaguar II will feature several new tracks within the parameters of the Jaguar musical universe.
So far, Victoria has released one new track, “SOS (Sex On Sight)” with Usher, which is slated to appear on the upcoming body of work. Over on the Apple Music pre-save page, eight unnamed tracks will join “SOS (Sex On Sight),” and Victoria’s Bryson Tiller duet “We Might Even Be Falling In Love” to make up the Jaguar II Deluxe‘s official tracklist.
But this project is bittersweet moment for Victoria’s superfans. Victoria has made it clear that Jaguar II Deluxe marks the end of this era sonically. However, there’s still more to come.
Artwork
Jaguar II Deluxe is out 10/4 via RCA. Find more information here.
Victoria Monet, veteran R&B singer and songwriter, really put a lot of people on notice after nabbing a massive GRAMMY win. At this year’s award show, the Atlanta, Georgia native took home the hardware for Best R&B Album. Her fifth overall project JAGUAR II, the sequel to the 2020 tape, dropped in late August 2023 and featured quite a few standout tracks. You have the horn backed “On My Mama”, “Smoke” with Lucky Daye, among others. The album won over some very respectable competition as well, including Summer Walker, Babyface, Coco Jones, and Emily King. However, the nominations do not stop there. She is also getting recognized by BET for the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. With all of this well-deserved success, it seems to be trickling down to other areas of her career. For example, Victoria Monet is getting tons of praise for the music video for “Alright”.
One of the other hits from JAGUAR II, “Alright” has been a winner for Victoria Monet due to its bouncy and intoxicating vibe. Part of the credit goes to KAYTRANADA, who produced the banger. In the visuals, fans have been pointing out that she made some nods to artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, as well as Beyonce. “The ode to Janet’s “Feedback” and “Alright” & Michael’s “Smooth Criminal” was so dope! I love the modern elements!”, one user writes. The inspiration is definitely there, and it is all sold well due to the incredible choreography. The moody tone of the video also complements “Alright”, as well as the album, to a tee. All of these standout qualities are why Monet has the number six video on trending right now.
In two months, Victoria Monét will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her debut album Jaguar II. The era attached to that album is far from over as “Alright” was recently enlisted as the fourth single from the album, joining “Smoke,” “Party Girls,” and the Grammy-nominated “On My Mama.” As if that wasn’t enough, Monét has also answered fans’ numerous request for an “Alright” music video. The Kaytranada-produced track finally received the visual treatment in an absolute spectacle that Monét used to honor Janet Jackson with dance moves undeniably inspired by the legendary singer’s 1990s and 2000s era. Look no further than the black-and-white fedora and suit that Monét dons in the visual.
The video was directed by Dave Myers and choreographed by Sean Bankhead who is also responsible for the choreography in Monét’s “On My Mama” video. Aside from the Janet Jackson-inspired moves, Monét is nothing short of dazzling in the “Alright” video. She brings the fire and bears the elements and some skin in the three-minunte performance that should go down as one of the best visuals of the year.
Monét’s video for “Alright” is hopefully a sign of her return to good health after she was forced to cancel multiple festival performances last month. They included Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic and this past weekend’s Governors Ball in New York. “Candidly I have been dealing with some ongoing health issues that have to be addressed right now, but I will be back out there soon, that’s a promise!” Monét said in a statement at the time. “Please know it wasn’t an easy call but it’s definitely for the best. All other shows are still moving forward as planned. See you soon.”
After over a decade of conquering the underground R&B scene, Victoria Monét has broken through to the mainstream. Thanks to Victoria’s breakout hit, “On My Mama” (co-produced by Deputy), critically acclaimed debut studio album Jaguar II, and her snagging multiple Grammy Awards (including Best New Artist), the public is eager to see what’s next.
Although Victoria’s time on the road via her international TheJaguar Tour has ended, supporters can catch her at the 2024 Roots Picnic. But what else is up her animal print sleeve? According to her latest interview, the answer is new music. So, when should we expect it?
When Does Victoria Monét’s Jaguar II Deluxe Album Come Out?
After expressing that she would be ending the Jaguar series, fans could get one last offering by way of a Jaguar II deluxe album. On February 23, during the “Hollywood” singer’s appearance on iHeart Radio’s The New Hit List, Victoria Monét teased the idea.
As she confirmed to host Angelina that Jaguar III is no longer happening, Victoria did spill details about a Jaguar II deluxe project. “I do want to put out a deluxe to ‘Jaguar II,’” she said. “So, we’re working on that…it will be [released] this year.”
The wait is sure to be worth it. Perhaps it will include the never-released tracks with her bestie Ariana Grande.
Victoria also spoke about her future songwriting plans. “I feel like there’s more of an open timeline on writing songs for other people,” she said. “So, I’m more focused on my artistry right now. My schedule doesn’t really allow for much else. But I do want to eventually get back into collaborating… writing with and for other people. Right now, it’s Victoria Monét world. I’ve done a lot of writing previously, so now I’m flipping into a new chapter.”
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Humility is often painted as a superpower that has its strength in being a cornerstone for one’s success. For it to work best, it’s sad that other dominant qualities must be submissive in its presence. Confidence works hand-in-hand with it while pride takes a back seat. The alleged beauty behind humility has been professed in numerous ways by many for centuries upon centuries. Confucius called humility the “solid foundation of all virtues” while Rick Pitino said it’s the “true key to success.” Though these examples are not wrong per se, a more accurate one, arguably, can be credited to William Law who said humility is “nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves.”
The “right judgment” portion of that quote is as subjective as ever and on her new album Jaguar II, Victoria Monét declares her own judgment of self and the world around her. The irony here is that through the project’s 11 songs, Monét’s right judgment of self actually sheds the humility that has lived beside her in a career that’s lasted over a decade. For years, Monét was known for her songwriting as she penned records for Diddy, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony, Chloe X Halle, Blackpink, and more – all while working on her own music. It wasn’t until recently that the scales of both seemed to even out, something she wished for back in 2020. “[My] songwriting took off before my [own music] so it wasn’t like I made a decision, I was trying to do both,” she explained in Wonderland Magazine interview. “Now I’m just trying to even the playing field.”
Successful songwriters are often left to live in the shadows of the background making for a disconnect between that and their own releases. That hasn’t been the case as of late for Monét. If her 2020 EP Jaguar was the connection and spark, her debut album Jaguar II is the electric field and bright lights that rightfully resulted. Monét shines with blinding radiance on songs that find her as confident as ever from start to finish on her latest release. Whether it be through the shimmering dance number that is the Kaytranada-produced “Alright,” or the sexy and uplifting “Party Girls,” Monét finds a way to be simultaneously jaguar-like in her fearless approach and as sleek and classy as the luxury vehicle that shares her album’s namesake
At the very center of this album, comes multiple swipes at humility. Monét specifically calls out the extinction of humility in her world moments into “On My Mama.” She pierces through each line with unfiltered cockiness while allowing not an inch of doubt to creep into her statements so as to not invalidate them. More indirectly, we see Monét pop the collar of her fur coat on “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem) while mocking the idea that women can’t be pimps. The tone of disgust is prominent on “Stop (Asking Me 4Shyt)” as she’s in disbelief at the requests a man makes to her for money and other items. Lastly, in what is one of the best moments on the album, Victoria Monét paints herself as a flawless gem on “I’m The One,” perfect in all ways and specifically crafted for a lover who fails to see her as this fairytale love story. Humility often calls for a level of timidness and reservation in how one presents themselves, but for Monét this moment had been over a decade in the making. There isn’t room for dimming the light that she wired tirelessly to make shine.
The Victoria Monét that lives throughout Jaguar II isn’t new by any means. Her bold approach was at the center of Jaguar where records like “Ass Like That” and “Moment” marvelously presented her worth as a diamond in the rough. Much of the same is present on Jaguar II, just refined and crafted to a level that makes the multitalented singer’s artistry more pristine than ever. With heavy production from D’Mile, who has laced irresistible and pleasing records for the likes of Ty Dolla Sign, Snoh Aalegra, Lucky Daye, HER, Mary J. Blige, Silk Sonice, and more Victoria Monét had the necessary tools, both internal and external, to achieve that excellence that is Jaguae II. As she boldly proclaimed on her latest project, Victoria Monét is the one. So yes, humility to the wind and everything else like it. Her blinding radiance looks better and makes for the ideal ingredient in her recipe for success.
Jaguar II is out now via RCA Records/Lovett Music, Inc. Find out more information here.
After a series of delays, Jaguar II, Victoria Monet’s follow-up to 2020’s Jaguar EP is here. The 11-track project is labeled as her “debut album,” enjoying greater publicity and marketing than its predecessor. Released in 2020, Jaguar brought Monét’s shimmery party staples to the bedroom in the midst of a worldwide lockdown. On Jaguar II, however, the songwriter encourages listeners to venture out into the world. Compromised of sharper hooks and sexier lyrics, Monet offers a more shapely, rounded sound.
With each project, Monét continues to garner greater support from dedicated listeners and newcomers, expanding her tight-knit fandom. Jaguar II is simultaneously her most hedonistic and authoritative release to date. Acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, and Kaytranada help push the envelope of her sultry, dance sound — introducing a more confident Monét to the world. Themes of success, sexuality, love, and motherhood are littered all around Jaguar II. In addition to these, a variety of genres proudly call Jaguar II home.
Monét’s debut album is an ode to golden-age disco, as well as R&B. In a remarkable feat, the album transports listeners through a number of decades musically. The maturity in her vocals is also a highlight. Victoria Monet needn’t sing circles around her contemporaries. Her voice’s fullness emits a self-discovery and assurance that compliments every facet of her music.
The Lucky Daye-assisted “Smoke” was the first track sent out into the airwaves. It offered just a glimpse of the golden shimmer that would remain constant all through the project. Monét and Daye comfortably croon about their affinity for the bliss of marijuana. Both singers produce the same laid-back charm that floated on 2018’s “Little More Time.” With five years gone since their initial collaboration, there’s a distinct maturity in both their tones, owing to their respective evolution as artists.
While Jaguar II borrows elements from a plethora of genres, every track circles back to R&B. On “Party Girls” ft. Jamaica’s Buju Banton, Monét drifts over a dancehall and reggaeton beat. The singer’s rapport with club-ready bangers is brilliantly showcased on this track. However, “Party Girls” glows brighter than most because of its timelessness. The song’s nostalgic sound is reminiscent of the rise of the dancehall scene of the 1970s. Furthermore, its modern, sleek production allows for a futuristic twist that keeps it fresh, despite its vintage components.
The third single off Jaguar II is “On My Mama,” the braggadocious Southern banger, is sure to light up any cookout. Monét interpolates Chalie Boy’s classic, “I Look Good,” laced with her signature brassy inclusions. The music video for “On My Mama” is a love letter to the South. It also has all the markings of a 2000s Video of the Year contender. Sean Bankhead’s choreography is a remarkable highlight, with Monét and her dancers in their most swagged out so far. Cameos from Monét’s mom, “Mama Monét,” her daughter Hazel, and Chalie Boy greatly elevate the visuals. Furthermore, the video pays homage to the likes of Ciara and Black culture as a whole.
Victoria Monét is the most determined she’s ever been on Jaguar II. She takes a handle on the narrative of her sexuality on the female empowerment track, “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem).” Songs like “How Does It Make You Feel” breeze through waltz-y ballroom instrumentals and coruscating melodies. The Kaytranada-backed “Alright” is sure to keep the club’s speakers thumping all night, with fierce epicureanism at its core. Even the young Hazel is heard cooing on “Hollywood.” Also featuring Earth, Wind & Fire, the soft, illustrious track is centered around fame. The album’s closer, “Good Bye” is a twinkling, jazzy number. Here, Monét is backed by lush, comforting instrumentals, for a heavenly bow-out. The soulful exit is another perfect example of her growth as a musician. Monét blends antique 80s soul music, with the swing blues and jazz of the 30s and 40s.
Monét amps up the sensuality on Jaguar II, but not at the expense of the songwriting. After all, her first foray into the industry was behind the scenes as a songwriter. Even though she may sometimes use either cutesy or raunchy one-liners to drive home her point, her pen game is never lazy. Jaguar II is a testament to the singer affirming her musical self-discovery. At 11 tracks long, the album is tight, precise, and bold. Romantic ballads sit side by side with dark, canal lyricism, stamping Monét’s security within R&B, pop, and disco music.
As many of our favourite male MCs have made note of lately, the women of hip-hop and R&B have been holding it down in 2023. Things have definitely heated up for the men in the latter half of the year, but the fairer sex has consistently been dropping hits and conquering the charts in both genres. This weekend, it’s Victoria Monet’s debut JAGUAR II album that’s taking the spotlight, with features from Lucky Daye and Buju Banton previously arriving as singles.
The former opens the 11-track project with “Smoke,” while the latter appears on “Party Girls.” Besides those two titles, “On My Mama” has also been all over social media this summer, especially now that Monet has graced us with an accompanying visual. Elsewhere on JAGUAR II, the songbird connected with Earth, Wild & Fire as well as her 2-year-old daughter, Hazel, on “Hollywood” before closing the LP out with “Good Bye.”
Victoria Monet’s Debut Album Will Take You to “Hollywood”
During an interview with Teen Vogue, the mother of one spoke candidly about her creative process as an artist. “I definitely, internally, always am in competition with no one but myself,” Monet explained. “I guess it’s healthy to want to be better and progress, but I try to keep it out of my mind when I’m actually in the studio because your brain gets busy, so I try to stay in that moment. But now that the project’s done, I can sit back and be like, ‘Yes, I think it’s better than Jaguar.’”
Get a taste of Victoria Monet’s JAGUAR II album with “Hollywood” in the video above. If you’re feeling that, you can tap into the R&B icon’s full debut project on Spotify/Apple Music. To dive deeper into her full discography, tap into our favourites at the link below.
Victoria Monét’s highly-anticipated major label debut is nearly here. Jaguar II — its title a call-back to her breakout 2020 EP — promises to be a big release.
Last year after rumors that the Jaguar II would no longer see the light of day, Monét took to X (formerly Twitter) to share an update with fans. “Just wanted to say thank you for your patience with JAGUAR II,” she wrote. “If you know me, you know it isn’t without special reason that it isn’t in your ears already & I’m working hard to get it to you the best way! I gotta say, though, I think it’s better than Part I. Respectfully.”
Hii! Just wanted to say thank you for your patience with JAGUAR II. If you know me you know it isn’t without special reason that it isn’t in your ears already & i’m working hard to get it to you the best way!!! I gotta say though, i think its better than part I respectfully
Based on the singles she dropped, fans believe the delay was worth it. Here’s everything we know so far about Victoria Monét’s Jaguar II album.
Release Date
Jaguar II is out 8/25 via RCA Records. Find more information here.
Tracklist
1. “Smoke” Feat. Lucky Daye
2. “Smoke” (Reprise)
3. “Party Girls” Feat. Buju Banton
4. “Alright”
5. “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)”
6. “How Does It Make You Feel”
7. “On My Mama”
8. “I’m The One”
9. “Stop (Askin’ Me 4Shyt)”
10. “Hollywood” Feat. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét
11. “Good Bye”
Features
The confirmed musicians set to make a guest appearance on Jaguar II include Lucky Daye, Buju Banton, Earth, Wind & Fire, and her toddler daughter Hazel Monét. Monét revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that the project would feature production from Kaytranada in addition to her frequent collaborator D Mile. The remaining production credits won’t be shared until the album is publicly available.
I present to you: The JAGUAR II TRACKLIST!!!!
I’m so happy to finally share this with you!! Look at these FEATURES screaming..what is life?! from the titles alone, which songs do you think will be your favorites? I’m so curious pic.twitter.com/u21Va3YQae
To kick off the album’s promotion, Monét shared several singles, including “Smoke” featuring Lucky Daye, “Party Girls” featuring Buju Banton, and “On My Mama.” All of them had a memorizing official video.
Tour
Beginning next month, Monét will embark on The Jaguar Tour to support the album. View the full tour dates below. Find more information here.
09/06/2023 — Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
09/08/2023 — Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
09/11/2023 — Boston, MA @ Royale
09/13/2023 — New York, NY @ Webster Hall
09/15/2023 — Washington, DC @ The Howard Theatre
09/16/2023 — Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)
09/18/2023 — Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
09/19/2023 — Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
09/21/2023 — New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater New Orleans
09/22/2023 — Houston, TX @ House of Blues
09/24/2023 — Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
09/26/2023 — Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
09/28/2023 — Las Vegas, NV @ 24 Oxford
09/29/2023 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
10/01/2023 — San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
10/03/2023 — San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
10/06/2023 — Portland, OR @ The Wonder Ballroom
10/07/2023 — Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
10/09/2023 — Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
10/11/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
10/22/2023 — Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Victoria Monét’s long-awaited album Jaguar II is mere weeks from its scheduled release date. In just hours, the singer’s supporting The Jaguar Tour sold out across the country, and her stylish new video for the single “On My Mama” showed why fans were eager to grab their tickets. When the record was first shared in June, users online gushed over how she sampled Chalie Boy’s 2008 southern classic “I Look Good.”
So, in the video, Victoria was sure to feature a surprise cameo from the musician, her mother, and her sweet toddler daughter. But that is just the tip of the iceberg regarding what’s honored in the visual. There’s no part of the visual that doesn’t pay homage to Black Southern culture and entertainers. From the oversized white tees, Girbauds jeans, loose durags, letterman jackets, grills, and more, Victoria honors several fashion trends birthed in the South.
That intense attention to detail shows up in the downright excellent choreography cooked up by Sean Bankhead as the pair found a way to incorporate the nostalgic 2000s dance crazes the heel-toe, chicken head, walk it out, crank dat, swag surf, and more without being overly cheesy. Everyday Southern culture is also in the video, including tricked-out rides, Black D9 fraternities, and sororities syncretize strolls (line dances) originated at historically Black colleges and universities, and more.
During an interview with the BBC, the music discussed what motivated her to write the track, saying, “It was the first song I wrote after giving birth that I liked. And that I felt affirmed me and my identity as a beautiful woman. Still valuable. Still worthy.” But, honestly, speaking thanks to the video “On My Mama” has propelled far behind Victoria’s initial self-serving needs.
Watch the video for “On My Mama” above.
Jaguar II is out 8/25 via Lovett Music/RCA Records. Find more information here.