Monica (Arnold) was born on October 24, 1980, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother was a church singer and from an early age Monica was immersed in gospel music. The youngest member of a travelling 12-piece choir called Charles Thompson And The Majestics she performed at the Atlanta talent showcases singing Whitney Houston covers. It was there that she was discovered by Rowdy Records executive Dallas Austin, (TLC, Grace Jones and Madonna).
Signing to Arista Records, her first single, "Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)", from album Miss Thang topped the Billboard R&B chart in June 1995. The follow-up, "Before You Walk Out Of My Life", was another R&B chart-topper.
Monica sang her way into the Top 40 in August 1995 achieving platinum sales. Further hit singles followed with "Why I Love You So Much". Her second album, which debuted at No. 8 in the States, was produced and co-written by Austin and Rodney Jerkins.
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Her second album, The Boy is Mine, gave Monica the status of becoming the youngest artist to have No.1 Billboard status in the States with her title-track duet with Brandy. The song spent 13 weeks at the top of the Billboard 100, and became the number one female duet in United States chart history. Singles included "Angel of Mine" and "The First Night."
Though she has a well-defined career ahead of her in the music industry, Monica feels that she will only stay in the business until she reaches her tenth album. After that, she wants earn a degree in either psychology or computer science and eventually have a family.
Erin Brosha, CanEHdian.com. Copyright 2001.
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