Victoria Monet and USHER are really laying it down in a hot and heavy manner on their new single, “SOS (Sex on Sight)”. This track belongs to the former of the two artists and it’s one she’s been teasing for a little over a week. On the 20th, the Atlanta Georgia native would go on to announce the release date and title of the track on her Instagram in a brief video in which she also teased the beginning of the audio, too. Then, on August 22, Monet was creating quite a lot of buzz within her fan base, hinting that a feature would be on “SOS”.
““SOS” = SEX ON SIGHT!!! Who do you think the feature is? tag them”. Finally, a day later, USHER would go to be revealed as the guest artist, which marks their first collaboration together now. This song sees one of the current R&B stars work alongside a true legend of the genre in a cool mixture of eras. “SOS” shows that in the production department, especially, thanks to the slow-mo/sensual vibe. It feels like something from the early 2000s, but it has more modern touches, too. That can be attributed to the groovy and funky bass lines, shimmering synth passages, and celebratory horn sections. Monet has been in this sonic fixation on her past two projects, but it’s been working, and it is here on “SOS (Sex on Sight)”.
I need that SOS, sex on sight, baby, it’s urgent Let me f*** up all your plans, come put this work in ‘Cause I think it’s about time we take this all the way (And I) Wonder which one of my lips gon’ be your first kiss Doesn’t matter ’cause they both gon’ fit you perfect And I’m ready, so don’t make me have to do this on my own
Victoria Monét joins Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1 to talk about her experience writing “SOS (Sex on Sight)” featuring Usher. They dive into the process of how this dream collaboration came to be and Victoria teases that more music from Usher is coming very soon.
The two also discuss Victoria’s very successful year, which included GRAMMYs, record-breaking success from her single “On My Mama,” and more. Victoria teases a deluxe version of JAGUAR II and a new era on the way.
When Francis asked Monet about the Usher collaboration, she mentioned another unreleased song that the two have together.
“It’s coming in the future. I don’t know when, but there’s another song,” Monet added. “So we were working together on that song. So he came by the studio to work more on that. And when he got there, I was working on SOS, but I just had the hook only. So he was like, “Let me hear what you’re working on.” I was like, “Okay.” Nervous. So I play it, and then after the hook goes off, he starts mumbling a melody. I was like, “Hmm.” And me and DJ Camper, the producer, looked at each other and we were like, “Do you want to just go in? Maybe just try some stuff?” So he goes in the booth and starts this rap part, and then he comes out and we write a few lyrics to that. And then he has to go, he’s like jet-setting somewhere else. And then he finishes his parts in Atlanta. We decide like… We were like, at one point, “Do we do both of these songs or do we have to choose one? What’s the protocol?” But it just felt so special and so organic so that we just were like, “Let’s rock with both.” Camper got his horn player on it. We just did final touches and everything, and here it is. So I’m excited.”
After working with some of the biggest names in the music industry and thriving in the underground R&B scene, Victoria Monét had her mainstream breakthrough with her 2023 album, Jaguar II. The “On My Mama” singer won a bunch of Grammys (including Best New Artist), stole the show with a Michael Jackson homage at the 2024 BET Awards, and covered Usher at Coachella. Today, Monét released a new song with the R&B legend, “SOS (Sex On Sight),” which is just as seductive as you’d hope with that title.
You can listen above.
“’SOS (Sex On Sight)’ is about desire,” Monet said in a statement. “It’s about the urgency you feel when you need some love, physical touch and quality attention! Sometimes that desire can feel as urgent as being rescued from a natural disaster, or in this case rescued from your own sensual urges. Just like a storm, SOS summons and forewarns a lover of the rainfall that is to come and welcomes the beautiful relief from that desire. It feels romantic, playful, sultry and direct. Based in fantasy and the warmest tones of R&B. It feels timeless and we hope you enjoy the escape!”
“SOS (Sex On Sight)” is the first single from the deluxe edition of Jaguar II, which doesn’t have a release date yet.
Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Victoria Monét and global entertainment icon Usher have officially joined forces to release their highly anticipated single “SOS (Sex On Sight).” The track, out now via Lovett Music/RCA Records, marks the first collaboration between these two R&B powerhouses, following a series of public moments throughout the year.
Their partnership has been teased in the lead-up to this release, with Monét gifting Usher a Super Bowl leather jacket at his Las Vegas Residency, both artists leading wins at the NAACP Image Awards, and Monét’s viral performance with Teyana Taylor at the 2024 BET Awards, where they paid homage to Usher’s iconic 2005 “Bad Girl” performance during his Lifetime Achievement Tribute.
“SOS (Sex On Sight) is about desire. It’s about the urgency you feel when you need some love, physical touch and quality attention! Sometimes that desire can feel as urgent as being rescued from a natural disaster, or in this case rescued from your own sensual urges. Just like a storm, SOS summons and forewarns a lover of the rainfall that is to come and welcomes the beautiful relief from that desire. It feels romantic, playful, sultry and direct. Based in fantasy and the warmest tones of r&b. It feels timeless and we hope you enjoy the escape!”
– Victoria Monét
Produced by Grammy-winning producer Camper, “SOS” is a sultry R&B track that showcases Monét’s songwriting prowess, featuring her signature wordplay and double entendres. Usher’s sensual verse complements Monét’s vocals, creating a flirtatious back-and-forth that leaves listeners eagerly anticipating what’s next. “SOS” is the first release from Monét’s forthcoming JAGUAR II Deluxe album, following her Grammy Award-winning JAGUAR II.
Victoria Monet has her fanbase all wound up over a pretty vague tweet from late last night. The R&B superstar said, “I’m way too sexy to be alone…”. This has led to her supporters theorizing that she could be splitting from John Gaines. Her and her fitness model/motivational speaker boyfriend have been together since 2020, according to theJasmineBrand. They even share a daughter together, Hazel Monét Gaines as of February 21, 2021, making her three years old. It doesn’t seem like these two have had any issues, at least that have gone public anyway. But still, fans are pretty nervous for Victoria.
“I hope this is a lyric from SOS and not you telling us there’s no more Mr. Monet?”. More on that “SOS” part in a second. More reactions just like this one were all over X. “Aren’t you and your man still together?”. “You cannot play with our emotions like this! ”, another adds.
Now that we’ve gone over that, what is this “SOS” thing that fans feel that the singer is hinting at with this ambiguous tweet? Well, Ms. Monet has been teasing the release of some new music to help celebrate one year of JAGUAR II. If you were wondering, it will officially turn one on August 25. That new material is a single called “SOS”, which she says will be out next Tuesday, August 27. She made the announcement on her Instagram about a day ago with the caption, “ 8//27 Pre-save link in my bio”.
What are your thoughts on Victoria Monet hinting at a possible breakup from John Gaines? Do you think it’s that, or is this her teasing her upcoming single “SOS”? If the latter is true, are you excited for some new music? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Victoria Monet. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
One Musicfest has become an Atlanta mainstay, and now, the event is entering its milestone 15th year. They’ll have quite the lineup to celebrate with their 2024 edition, too: The roster was just announced today (August 9) and it’s led by Cardi B; Gunna; Victoria Monét; Jill Scott; and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Also on the bill are acts like Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, Nelly, Ari Lennox, T.I., Young Nudy, Monica, DJ Mustard & Friends, Larry June, Method Man, Redman, DaBaby, Jeremih, Fat Joe, Saucy Santani, and Tanner Adell.
The festival goes down on October 26 and 27 at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Tickets are available for purchase from the festival website, with two-day general admission passes starting at $219. Visit the website for more information about ticket options, as well as info about lodging, vendors, and other relevant logistics.
One Musicfest founder J. Carter says in a statement (as HipHopDX notes), “It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the 15-year mark. We’ve grown into the longest-running and largest Black independently owned festival in the country and this journey has been a blessing. Our commitment to the community remains steadfast as we continue to bring the biggest and brightest performers in music and the best activations with amazing partners.”
Whenever a celebrity shouts out or supports Chris Brown publicly, some fan backlash is sure to follow. We saw this example recently with Kehlani’s selfie with him given his abusive history, as fans dragged her for implicitly ignoring this stain on his career. But it’s also clear that these confirmed incidents (albeit with some subsequent allegations) happened long ago, and that both Breezy and his fanbase want to move on past these blemishes. For example, his die-hards recently blasted the haters for attacking Victoria Monét, who recently attended one of his shows. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, it’s clear that the conflict occurs between fans and detractors, not between the Virginia native and his relationships with other artists.
As such, it’s important to understand that the stardom of Chris Brown is a pretty unmovable object, and fan backlash is not quite the unstoppable force that they want it to be, for better or worse. Perhaps it would be more useful for fans to simply not engage with him online rather than demand others to drag him, and for hardcore supporters to understand and validate why people can’t rock with him like they do. After all, there is a lot more controversy to deal with, such as recent lawsuits over alleged backstage brawls. Yet prevailing narratives from over a decade ago continue to muddy more present and actionable issues at this point.
Nevertheless, we doubt that this controversy over Chris Brown will ever truly end, and fans will simply have to be steadfast in their belief. Elsewhere, his collaborator Lo’s murder case might develop in a more speedy fashion soon, as authorities captured his alleged murderer after being on the most wanted list. “I commend the men and women of the Marshals Service and our partners for the capture of Deshawn Davis,” U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis stated. “It is our hope that this apprehension brings justice to his victims and safety to the community.”
Meanwhile, this celebrity-supported backlash isn’t the only hot controversy that Chris Brown is dealing with. Alleged footage surfaced of him dancing on Diddy’s 50-foot bed. Their presumed bond has many wondering whether there’s any overlap when it comes to the Bad Boy mogul’s extensive list of allegations. We’ll see what happens, but it certainly isn’t a pretty look.
The Atlanta-born, Sacramento-bred powerhouse gracefully thanked her fans for their “advocation for me” and clarified, “My team was told it is ‘too early in my story’ for that opportunity so we will keep working!” She ended her X (formerly Twitter) post with, “For me, it’s part of the story … and in God’s time.”
The VMAs’ decision was spectacularly ignorant for various reasons, not least of which that Monét’s “On My Mama” had been one of the hottest songs (and music videos) of the summer. But Monét is used to this. She shouldn’t have to be, but she is. Consistently, she has professed an unshakable conviction in what is meant for her, finding it in due time. The past year has surely felt like divine timing — from the August release of Jaguar II, her exquisite debut studio album, to winning three Grammys in February and making her Coachella debut in April (Beyoncé blessed Monét’s set by sending her flowers, a higher honor than the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.) More recently, Monét owned the 2024 BET Awards on June 30 — winning the night with her and Teyana Taylor’s “Bad Girl” performance — and shared top billing with Janet Jackson, her foremost influence, at Essence Festival 2024.
Long ago, she unsubscribed from arbitrary, linear timelines and subjective deification.
Increasingly, the music industry pedestals young, unpolished (and often white) artists who can generate instant yet fleeting gratification through online engagement. While Monét can play the numbers game, her artistry stands in defiance. Monét’s age is an outsized narrative because society insists on its significance in all the wrong contexts.
Ageism eventually comes for everyone, but it’s especially cruel to athletes, pop stars, and women. We should all thank God that Monét — a powerful Black woman who has danced since adolescence and mastered R&B/hip-hop so thoroughly that her pop appeal is undeniable — didn’t let ageism sabotage her career before it had a chance to blossom. Monét’s 35 years symbolize resilience and serve as proof of concept for anyone weighed down by the dumbfounding societal standard declaring someone’s twenties as their only viable decade.
Monét wasn’t visible in her twenties, but she was always viable. Her impact was palpable, even if her face wasn’t readily attached. It began with a 2008 MySpace DM to Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, leading to a move to Los Angeles in 2009 to join Jerkins’ girl group, Purple Reign, which never materialized. Instead, she cut her teeth as a songwriter for the likes of Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, T.I., and more. At one point, according to Billboard, she was a credited songwriter on 12 Billboard Hot 100 charters. In April 2019, Monét joined Grande, her most prolific collaborative relationship by far, as a forward-facing artist on their single (and bisexual anthem) “Monopoly,” which peaked at No. 69 on the Hot 100. Monét achieved top-tier songwriting success while simultaneously fighting for respect as a solo artist — releasing four EPs between 2014 and 2018 — and never seeking a shortcut.
“When I was putting out my first EPs, I didn’t have a team, and I didn’t have a manager,” Monét told Vulture in February. “Like, it was just me.”
Last November, when Monét learned she’d earned seven Grammy nominations in real time, she was surrounded by her family and team — jumping with glee and screaming in relief. If that recognition had come earlier, when she first thought she wanted it, that room wouldn’t have been as full. She wouldn’t have her longtime partner John Gaines or their three-year-old daughter, Hazel, who became the youngest-ever Grammy nominee as a featured artist on “Hollywood.” The moment couldn’t have been as satisfying. The timing wouldn’t have been right.
“To everybody who has a dream, I want you to look at this as an example,” she said in her emotional acceptance speech. “This award was a 15-year pursuit. I moved to LA in 2009. I like to liken myself to a plant who was planted, and you can look at the music industry as soil, and it can be looked at as dirty, or it can be looked at as a source of nutrients, and my roots have been growing underneath ground, unseen, for so long. I feel like, today, I’m sprouting.”
In May, she posted a framed screenshot of her February 2013 tweet manifesting a Grammy positioned behind her three Grammys, as she had also won for Best R&B Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
“It’s an incredible reminder that when you want something, the only thing between you and that thing is time, and if you’re willing to spend that time in your highest forms of hard work, passion, consistency and gratitude for the journey, your dreams will have no choice but to run to you!!,” Monét captioned the Instagram post.
It’s easy to profess patience and perseverance from the mountaintop, but Monét has been about it. An album as timeless as Jaguar II can only come from someone who took her time — someone who lived a life first.
Monét’s “On My Mama” video features cameos from Hazel, her mother, Mommy Monét, and Chalie Boy. The Dave Meyers-directed, Sean Bankhead-choreographed “Alright” video pays homage to Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Britney Spears. Those full-on, old-school videos exploded online, creating discourse and metaphorical bouquets tossed Monét’s way.
But that’s not why Monét filmed them. That’s not why she’s stuck around for fifteen years. Monét knows what lasts and what doesn’t because she lasted a decade-plus without the external validation that she’d always deserved. She’ll last for another fifteen-plus because she doesn’t need it.
Usher was the main focus of the BET Awards. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, and several of the musical performances throughout the ceremony were covers of his classic songs. Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monet teamed up for a cover of Usher’s “Bad Girl,” and promptly electrified the crowd. The performance was widely praised by fans online. But the biggest co-sign came from an unlikely source: Beyonce.
Queen Bey shared clips from the performance on her Instagram Story. It makes sense, once you consider the fact that Beyonce and Usher performed “Bad Girl” together on the Truth Tour in 2004. Taylor and Monet used the same exact choreography as their predecessor, turning in a stellar cover. However, neither artist could maintain their composure when they realized Beyonce reposted them. “Everything she saidddd,” Teyana Taylor wrote on her IG Story. “Bihhhhh I’m speechless. & DATS ON QUEEN BEYYYYYYYYYYYY, I’m GAGGGGINGGGGGGGI!!!!”
Victoria Monet was similarly blown away by the co-sign. She joined her collaborator Taylor in praising Beyonce for her shout-out. “OOOOH MYYYY GOD!!!!! na I AM SCREAMING!! WHATTTT,” she wrote in yet another IG Story. “CAN NOT GRASP AIR I AM UNWELL HOLY SH*T I did not expect to pass out today! GAGGEDD…completely. @beyonce WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!! THE ORIGINAL BAD GYAL I will forever honor you.” She even tagged Taylor add added: “WTFFFF PINCH ME.”
The performance by Taylor and Monet is even more impressive considering the time constraints they were under. In a separate post, Teyana Taylor revealed that she and Monet had less than 48 hours to get together and perfect the “Bad Girl” choreography. “We don’t regret one moment of it,” she asserted. “We had an assignment that needed to be OVERstood for one of the GOATS… We’d do it all over again and wouldn’t change a thing.” Taylor and Monet received praise from two GOATs that night. They have nothing to change.
The 2024 BET Awards took center stage as a grand celebration of Black culture, creativity, and excellence, drawing the biggest names in music, television, film, and sports. This year’s event honored outstanding accomplishments across various industries, shining a spotlight on the profound impact of Black culture globally. Viewers can catch the encore of this unforgettable night on Monday, July 1, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET.
Victoria Monét emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, securing the Video of the Year award and the BET Her Award. Her electrifying performances of “On My Mama” and her new single “Alright” received standing ovations, highlighting her as a dynamic force in the music industry. In her acceptance speech for the BET Her Award, Monét expressed gratitude to her mother and emphasized her desire to collaborate with more Black women.
Rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion kicked off the night with high-energy performances of her hits “Boa,” “Hiss,” and “Where Them Girls At.” Returning host Taraji P. Henson captivated the audience with her opening monologue and performance of “It’s About Us,” set to the tune of Kendrick Lamar’s popular track “They Not Like Us.”
Sexyy Red lit up the stage alongside The Stylistics, delivering her hit song “U My Everything” and her new single, “Get It Sexyy.” Fashion designers Shareef Mosby, Nia Thomas, Durrell Dupard, Larissa Huehleder, and Heart Roberts were honored with the Shine a Light award, presented by McDonald’s, for their exceptional contributions to fashion.
The new generation of performers also had their moment, with Heiress and Van Van delivering an inspiring performance of “Be You,” showcasing young talent. Will Smith, making his debut performance at the BET Awards, unveiled his new song “You Can Make It” alongside Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service Choir, adding a spiritual dimension to the night.
Country music had its spotlight with BET Amplified artist Tanner Adell performing “Buckle Bunny” and “Cowboy” on the BET Amplified stage, presented by NISSAN. GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion continued the high-energy vibe with performances of “Yeah Glo!,” “TGIF,” and “Wanna Be.” Shaboozey brought country flair with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” and J-Kwon surprised the audience with his classic hit “Tipsy.”
Latto delivered a powerful performance of “Sunday Service” and “Big Mama,” while Tyla transported the audience to South Africa with a vibrant rendition of “Jump,” featuring Gunna and Skillibeng. Bronx rap star Ice Spice performed “Phat Butt” and “Think U The Shit (Fart),” adding her unique flavor to the night.
A major highlight was Usher being honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement BET Award, recognizing his prolific 30-plus-year career. Usher’s tribute featured stellar performances by Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosius, Chlöe, Tinashe, Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét, and Latto. Each artist delivered renditions of Usher’s iconic hits, culminating in a vibrant celebration of his legacy. Usher’s emotional acceptance speech emphasized the importance of family, mentorship, and the significance of fathers standing up for their children. To further honor his contributions, Walmart announced a $100,000 grant to Usher’s charity, New Look.
The night concluded with a special performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill and YG Marley, performing “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” followed by a surprise reunion with her former Fugees bandmate, Wyclef Jean, leaving the audience in awe.
Amidst the celebrations, BET underscored the importance of civic engagement with the launch of its “We V.O.T.E.” campaign, aimed at encouraging high voter turnout in the 2024 election cycle. This initiative highlights key issues affecting the Black community and the crucial role of voting in driving change at local, state, and federal levels.
The 2024 BET Awards not only honored the past and present achievements of Black artists and creators but also inspired future generations to continue the legacy of Black excellence.
Who do you think the feature is? 
tag them”. Finally, a day later, USHER would go to be revealed as the guest artist, which marks their first collaboration together now. This song sees one of the current R&B stars work alongside a true legend of the genre in a cool mixture of eras. “SOS” shows that in the production department, especially, thanks to the slow-mo/sensual vibe. It feels like something from the early 2000s, but it has more modern touches, too. That can be attributed to the groovy and funky bass lines, shimmering synth passages, and celebratory horn sections. Monet has been in this sonic fixation on her past two projects, but it’s been working, and it is here on “SOS (Sex on Sight)”. 
”, another adds. 
