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    ESSENCE Black Women in Music returns for the first time since 2018 with a class of honorees whose careers have left a lasting imprint on music and culture. Now, among them is Monica, a singer whose voice has remained a fixture in R&B for more than 30 years. From her teenage breakthrough to her consistent success onstage, she has built a catalog that has become timeless while remaining true to the sound that introduced her to the world.

    Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Monica began singing as a child before signing with Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records. Her 1995 debut, Miss Thang, announced the arrival of a remarkable new talent, but it was The Boy Is Mine that elevated her to another level. The album produced three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including the title track with Brandy, “The First Night,” and “Angel of Mine.”

    Courtesy of ESSENCE

    Over the years, Monica continued to evolve, and released albums including After the Storm, The Makings of Me, Still Standing, and New Life. “So Gone” became another defining hit, and Still Standing earned two Grammy nominations, reminding audiences why she remained one of the genre’s most respected voices. Monica has appeared in television and film, served as an advisor on The Voice, and invited fans into her personal life through BET’s Monica: Still Standing. Every chapter has introduced another side of an artist who has never been afraid to grow publicly.

    Monica recently reunited with Brandy for The Boy Is Mine Tour, a highly successful arena run that reminded audiences why their partnership has been so special, and the two will headline Saturday’s Evening Concert Series in the Caesars Superdome during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®.

    Courtesy of ESSENCE

    As Black Women in Music reemerges, Monica stands alongside a remarkable group of women that includes Brandy, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, and Mona Scott-Young. Her career reflects consistency, resilience, and a catalog that continues to resonate with listeners everywhere.

    Join the conversation on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. For highlights and coverage from the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Music celebration, visit ESSENCE.com, download the E360 app, and subscribe to ESSENCE Magazine.

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