Victoria Monet spent more than a decade writing hits for Ariana Grande, Blackpink, Fifth Harmony and more before winning Best New Artist at age 34. This episode traces her path from Sacramento dance studios and MySpace hustle to a solo breakthrough with the 2023 album Jaguar II and the hit On My Mama.

We explore the demo strategy that got her a solo deal at Atlantic, her long stretch as a behind-the-scenes songwriter, and how mastering the architecture of hit-making built the foundation for an undeniable arrival at the 66th Grammy Awards.

• How adding producer Rodney Jerkins on MySpace led to the girl group Purple Rain and a Motown deal that collapsed before release
• The stacked-vocal demo tactic that won her a solo record deal from Atlantic CEO Craig Coleman in a single day
• Co-writing every Ariana Grande album from Yours Truly through Positions, including Seven Rings and Thank U, Next
• The Jaguar era, seven Grammy nominations and three wins, and daughter Hazel becoming the youngest Grammy nominee at age three
• Her 2024 mentorship program with the Black Music Action Coalition supporting emerging Black artists