Grammy-winner Monica is back with her first album in over 3 years, Code Red.
The New York Times called the album a ‘turning point’ for the R&B songstress.
Monica stopped by theGrio.com to talk about her eighth studio album and took a moment to reflect on her early teenage years with Beyoncé.
“We’ve known each other before either of us were known,” Monica said of the pop superstar. “I was 12 years old, and [Destiny’s Child] were signed to Daryl Simmons at the time. Daryl Simmons’ studio was next door to Dallas Austin’s studio,” Monica recalled. “I would look down the hill and see them practicing in their heels. They have always been hard workers. Bey has always been focused and driven about her career and knowing what she wanted. She works hard and deserves everything that she has.”
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“We’re Southern girls, so there are no bright lights when we come in contact with each other. It’s always very genuine… very Southern, which I love. I adore her mother. She’s always been someone I’ve felt comfortable with talking to about things because she knows the business but she knows family, because family is first for her.”
Earlier this week, Monica took a moment to set the record straight about her reported feud in the 90s with fellow singer Brandy, sparked by their 1998 single, “The Boy Is Mine.”
Monica tells theGrio.com that at her current age, she has no time for beefs with other artists.
“I’m not saying that I didn’t have my petty moments as a youngster, but at 35, would you really?” the singer said.
“Who you beefin’ with? Even me at twenty-one I was done,” Monica said. “I really want to see every person achieve whatever it is that they want to achieve. Whether it’s being an artist or something else. So I don’t have beef. What’s mine is mine. We are not in the way of each other. The only thing that can get in the way of you is you.”
Stay tuned next week for Part 2 of Monica’s interview with theGrio, and be sure to grab your copy of ‘Code Red,’ now available digitally and in stores nationwide.