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R&B singer Monica recently shared her sentiments about her standing in the music industry, expressing that she feels like she’s often forgotten among her fellow R&B artists.
During the final stop of The Shop’s UNINTERRUPTED Live Tour in Atlanta, Monica discussed her career journey alongside other guests like Quavo and Lou Williams. She talked about why she considers herself an underdog in the industry.
“I was able to really enjoy my career because I didn’t have any expectations,” she began. “I was not looking at stats, I was not worried about awards. I’m actually a person that, for all the records I’ve broken, I really have never won any awards. I’m really the most forgotten if you think about it.”
“I’m pretty much the underdog, but I sit very comfortably in it because I can still go where I want, do what I want, live how I want. But when I say that I am often forgotten, I was hosting the Soul Train Awards, was nominated for five, three of my songs in one category and still lost.”
“But I went out to eat and kicked my regular sh*t after,” she concluded. “I was not bothered because that’s not what I do it for… That is really my point when I say that oftentimes I’m forgotten in those spaces.”
Monica was a prominent figure and had a strong presence during the 90s. She achieved great success with multiple songs on the Billboard Top 100 Chart, including hits like “Before You Walk Out of My Life,” “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” and “The Boy Is Mine,” the latter of which sold 5 million records.
However, she expressed her feeling of neglect when it comes to awards. She has only received one Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for her work on “The Boy Is Mine” and has won just one award each at the Billboard Music Video Awards, the BET Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.
Despite nearly 40 award nominations, she has only secured five wins.
“Honestly, for me, I think what sustains me and keeps me connected is the authenticity,” she said regarding the snubs.
“I’m always going to be me,” she said. “You’re never going to see me in a different environment and get a different person. And that allows me to not just reinvent myself but to evolve.”
