The “Party Girls” singer’s sophomore album accompanies an already sold-out tour, has hit #1 on iTunes Charts  | Image created by Zsana Hoskins

R&B singer & songwriter Victoria Monét released her sophomore album, “JAGUAR II” on Aug. 28 and Howard students are in an up-roar about the new project.

Fans, whom Monét refers to as the “Tribe”, can’t get enough of the 11-track album, which features Lucky Daye, Kaytranada, Buju Banton, and the legendary band, Earth, Wind, and Fire. From upbeat, self-love anthems like “On My Mama” to slow, heartbreak ballads like “Goodbye”, the Sacramento songstress shows her range throughout the project. 

Mardea Kai, a senior journalism major, listened to the album as soon as it dropped.

“I love the album! I gave it a solid nine out of ten. It’s definitely a chill vibe but I love that V [Monèt] sticks to her sound. The whole time I was listening I kept saying to myself, ‘This sounds like music from an era that ain’t this one.’ It's so well done,” Kai expressed. “The retro, old R&B sound in her music is the reason I love her so much—it’s just real free, happy people music.”

Another fan, Meili Burnett, a junior psychology major, recommends the album to fellow R&B and pop lovers.

“Currently my fave is ‘Alright’, partially because I love Kaytranada, and I love hearing her [Monèt] on House beats. I love that she promotes femininity in its highest form on the album, and I really feel like she’s only gotten better with time,” Burnett shared.

Kai also shared her favorite tracks on the project.

“My favorite song is definitely ‘Goodbye’. It’s literally euphoria to my ears, and I love ‘Alright’— I think she’s the star of the album,” Kai added.

Another HU Tribe member, Ayanna Mcphaul, is a junior music business major who discovered Monét after finding out that she wrote songs for Ariana Grande. Once she listened, she “instantly fell in love with her music.”

Aside from Monét releasing her own music, the Jaguar herself has also penned hits for Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony, BLACKPINK, Brandy, and more—earning 3 Grammy nominations for songs she’s written. 

As a long-time member of the Tribe, Kai has watched Monét pounce from the shadows of songwriting and into the light of her own artistry.

“I discovered her back in my sophomore year of high school in her ‘Life After Love 2’ era. She’s always had that signature sound but her songs have definitely gotten more refined and her sound has matured. I think she’s really just perfecting her craft because she’s been great and keeps getting better,” Kai said.

While Mcphaul and Kai are long-time fans, Burnett discovered Monét’s music during the release of her debut album “JAGUAR” in 2020.

“I’ve been a fan since I first heard ‘We Might Even Be Falling In Love.’ It’s such a beautiful song and really details the feeling of being in love so well and effortlessly,” she said.

As the critically acclaimed album trends on campus, other Howard students are sharing their thoughts online:

The smooth & sultry beats of “JAGUAR II” are making their way to becoming the soundtrack of the semester here at Howard. 

Victoria Monét will be on the prowl in Washington D.C. for her first headlining tour.