Victoria Monét is ready to make a comeback. The singer/songwriter enlists Lucky Daye for her new single, “Smoke,” produced by longtime collaborator D’Mile. It arrives Friday, March 24.
The announcement comes with a tease of the track against a photo of the official artwork, which Dylan Anderson created.
Of “Smoke,” Monét wrote on Instagram, “@iamluckydaye thank you for blessing my song[.] I am excited to have another collaboration with you[;] you’re my favorite and I can’t wait for this to finally be OUT woohoooo.”
Monét and Daye previously collaborated on “Little More Time” in May 2020. The song D’Mile produced appears on Painted (Deluxe), the expanded version of Daye’s Grammy-nominated 2019 debut album. It also was featured on the compilation for season three of HBO’s Insecure.
Back to “Smoke.” In addition to Oscar and Grammy winner D’Mile, emerging producers Tim Suby (Drake, Ari Lennox) and Yogi (Whitney Houston, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie) are behind the boards on Monét’s latest, which she first teased in late February.
“Smoke” will be Monét’s first new original music this year. The song could be the first offering for Jaguar II, the second installment in a trilogy. She hinted at a series of projects to Rated R&B at the 2020 Soul Train Awards.
“I’m in the studio every day. At any chance, I could beat out one of the songs I have planned for part two or three and the tracklist could change. I feel comfort in the fact that the bulk of the work is done. I’m just leaving some space open for chance and for dream,” Monét shared.
“I loved so many of the songs. I was like, ‘I can’t put out a 50-song project. I need to pick the very best ones and give it to people slowly.’”
In 2021, Monét released two singles: “F.U.C.K.” and “Coastin‘.” It’s not confirmed if they will appear on Jaguar II.
Speaking of Jaguar, part one was released July 2020. It was ranked No. 5 on Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020 list. “While her journey is far from over, Monét made her mark this year with sultry rhythms and reassuring R&B jam with Jaguar,” wrote Rated R&B’s Anders Hare.
Most recently, Monét turned the project’s second interlude, “We Might Even Be Falling In Love,” into a Spotify Valentine’s Day exclusive collaboration with Bryson Tiller.
Monét continues her relationship with Spotify by headlining its inaugural R&B First Nights. Her show is on March 31 at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
“To this day I’ve still never headlined my own show and it’s been a huge dream of mine, which is why this upcoming show with Spotify is so special and important to me!” Monét told Billboard.
Get more information on Monét’s headlining R&B First Nights show here.
Preview Victoria Monét’s new song “Smoke” featuring Lucky Daye below.
Pre-save/pre-add Victoria Monét’s “Smoke” here.
