Story by Yvette Caslin
Exclusive Images by Grace Kisa
for Steed Media Service
It
seems like Monica has been preparing for the role of “Mama” all of her
life. She cheerfully strolls into the sunlit lobby at the posh
InterContinental Buckhead hotel carrying her eldest son, “Lil’ Rocko,”
who’s tenderly resting his head on her left shoulder, as she pushes the
stroller sheltering her 6-month-old infant, “‘Melo” with her right
hand. This moment is novel. Monica is a shining star, who’s been in the
entertainment industry for more than a decade. She has won the
much-coveted Grammy, and is a multiplatinum artist; however, she
doesn’t have a nanny in tow, and she’s only a few minutes late for her
interview and photo shoot. This display of modesty that’s uncommon for
many entertainers, makes it clear that she plays both roles well —
mother and mogul. And it’s a good thing, because in addition to being
“Mama,” Monica is on a serious mission to create a multifaceted
entertainment empire.
With an asymmetric
haircut and flaming-red highlighted bang flattering her caramel
countenance and smoky eyes, Monica dotes on her children as she
prepares for another day on the job as an entertainer and entrepreneur.
She has less than a week before she shifts into high gear, promoting a
television special that chronicles a behind-the-scenes look at her task
to once again ascend to the top of the music charts with her upcoming,
untitled fifth album.
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The
Turner Broadcasting’s Peachtree TV presentation, titled “The Single:
Monica” follows her into the studio with award-winning
producer-songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox and J Records A&R executives
Larry Jackson and Jaha Johnson, as they work on a single for her album.
The one-hour documentary traces the process of creating a hit song from
conception, to recording and release, while allowing fans a peek at
Monica’s home life with rapper-producer Rodney “Rocko” Hill and their
two sons, Rodney “Lil’ Rocko” Ramone III and Romelo “‘Melo.”
“It basically is about my quest and my journey in finding a record that
works for me this time. I think it’s very different in comparison to
the first time in ‘95 [and] doing it again in 2008. The television show
is just a chance for the viewers to see it from my point of view as a
mom, as a daughter, as a sister and also as an artist trying to make
things jell. It was a pretty unique situation for the family to be
taped at all times. They beared it with me for 14 days,” confides
Monica, who also starred in ATL (2006) and Rockmond Dunbar’s upcoming
release, Pastor Brown (2009).
“The music industry is brutal,” says James Dubose, the shows creator
and executive producer. “It’s a fickle space, and the fans’ tastes are
constantly changing, especially with new artists coming in to steal the
spotlight. So, it’s extremely difficult for even the biggest and most
established stars to have any type of staying power in the music
business. Every new song or album is do-or-die, because so many
reputations and careers are on the line.”
Having produced hit shows, which include BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way
It Is” and “Hell Date,” Dubose recognizes that entertainers are only as
good as their last project.
“[Creating hits is] a highly emotional and competitive process that
requires creative, dynamic partnership and interaction among the
artist, the producer and the record label in order to have a remote
chance at success,” he adds. “Organically capturing this high-stakes
process is what we’re looking to do with ‘The Single.’ “
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Fearless
and flawless, Monica was up for the challenge. She’s no stranger to
trying something new. A chic dresser whose sense of extraordinary style
transfers to her children, Monica recently started her own fashion
line.
“Regions of Rock is my boy’s clothing
line [that ranges] from infants up to size 18/20. I found that when I
was out looking for things for my boys to look hot [in] to wear to
different events — red carpet [and] photo sessions — I couldn’t find
what I needed. The best thing for me to do was create it. I felt like
as a mom that if it was missing for me, it was missing for other
mothers,” she explains. “My line is urban rock. You will see a mixture
of hot [denim], artwork, grommets and stones. I think my sons,
especially the oldest one, is a little bit of a rocker. So, I mix those
things together and put on the things that I [like]. I [would] put
those things on my infant and the outfit would be hot [but] you had to
put on an ugly bib, so we put hot bibs, hot booties … everything into
the clothing line.”
In addition to making clothes, Monica has also been making appearances.
Recently, “Miss Thang” was tapped to host one of Atlanta’s leading
radio shows, “The Ryan Cameron Show” while Cameron was on vacation. It
was no easy task, but Monica measured up quite well. It was not
surprising.Her strong voice and engaging lyrics have garnered her
endless shout-outs and accolades from haters and fans alike. It’s kept
her both courageous and confident. She hopes to communicate that
sentiment on the upcoming album.
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“[With]
my new CD, we’re debating on two titles, “Still Standing,” which is my
vote, or “Lessons Learned.” Both are very relevant for me in my life
right now. I have learned so much in the last five years that it’s
almost impossible for me to explain who I am [now] and who I used to
be,” shares Monica, who’s known throughout the industry for keeping it
real with her fans and being very candid about her personal life. “I
try to let people know that ‘Still Standing’ [the single] is how I feel
every day. For everything that has taken place in my life, I’m still
here — by the grace of God. I walk by faith [and] where I’m from and
what has taken place has nothing to do with where I’m going.”
“Mo,” as her family affectionately calls her, adds that this new
release also provides the perfect opportunity to return to making
ballads and inspiring women to achieve.
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“I
wanted to go back to the types of records that I love, which are soul
records,” she says. “I think it’s important for me as an artist to be
open with my fans because I came in [to] the industry doing just that.”
Monica entered the music industry at age 11, and sang “The Greatest
Love of All.” Now at 28, the songstress-actress has discovered her
greatest love.
“My greatest love of all is absolutely my children and their father.
Second, it would have to be my family. They’re the support system that
allows me to do what I do,” she shares.
In
between striking poses at the photo shoot, her adoration and dedication
to her family is clear as the fierce and fabulous diva admiringly peeks
over the photographer’s shoulders to look at Lil’ Rocko, who’s giggling
and entertaining himself. With his feet clad in Louis Vuitton sneakers,
he’s running back-and-forth, pushing his baby brother’s empty stroller.
The talented artist spent more than six hours on
the shoot before it was time for Lil’ Rocko’s dinner. During the last
few minutes of the session, he was incredibly adorable. Widening his
brown eyes, he clutched his mother’s leg to command her attention. He
got it.
