With seven GRAMMY nominations at the 2024 GRAMMYs, Victoria Monét has officially entered her pop star era in epic fashion. But the singer/songwriter is far from an overnight sensation — she's been laying the groundwork for her breakthrough success for over a decade.   

With the 2023 release of her debut album, Jaguar II, Monét materialized years of writing blockbuster hits for Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Selena Gomez and more into an acclaimed artist career of her own. Along with her GRAMMY nominations — including Best New Artist — she embarked on her first headlining tour and scored her first No. 1 hit. 

It's the kind of success Monét has been working toward her entire life, and particularly since attending a performing arts program during high school in her hometown of Sacramento. Whether writing for herself or others, Monét has a relatability that resonates with any listener; her introspective lyricism touches on everything from love, heartache and sexuality to empowerment and friendship. Her sleek, instrument-driven R&B stylings feel familiar yet fresh, bringing elements of dancehall, old-school slow jams, upbeat pop, reggae, hip-hop, trap, alternative R&B and country into the genre. 

"She really puts in the work and she is being rewarded now more than ever for it," producer  D'Mile, who has known Monét since the beginning of her career, tells GRAMMY.com. "She grows more and more confident and sure about what she's aiming for as she continues her journey."

D'Mile worked with Monét on her 2020 project, Jaguar, one of six EPs Monét had released before Jaguar II. While she garnered buzz for Jaguar, its sultry and dreamy follow-up took her artistry and acclaim to another level. Along with Jaguar II garnering hundreds of millions of streams, Monét saw legendary artists like Anita Baker and mega producer Jimmy Jam singing her praises, and both Jay-Z and former President Barack Obama included "On My Mama" on their favorite songs of 2023 playlists.

"I'm hoping that people who do find me now are along for the ride for the long run, or stay around until I do a Vegas residency when I'm 70 or something," the Georgia-born singer told Variety in December. "I'm just excited for the journey. I feel like it's definitely uphill right now."

Back in the late 2000s when Myspace reigned supreme, Monét's long-held dreams of becoming a professional singer were finally realized. After sending a friend request to Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins — the GRAMMY-winning producer behind countless iconic tracks like Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" and Destiny's Child's "Say My Name," and one of Monét's biggest influences — he invited her to audition for a girl group, Purple Reign, he was putting together for Motown Records.

Monét packed her bags and headed to L.A. to join the group, but they were dropped before releasing any music. Stuck in L.A. and needing to make ends meet, the singer turned to songwriting — and little did she know, her backup plan would change everything.  

In just a few years, she had helped pen songs for the likes of Diddy Dirty Money, Nas, T.I., and Coco Jones (the latter of whom is now a fellow Best New Artist nominee). Along the way, she met Ariana Grande during the pop star's stint at Nickelodeon, and the two have been close collaborators since. After working together on two songs for Grande's debut, 2013's Yours Truly, Monét has co-written a majority of the superstar's subsequent albums through 2020's Positions and featured on 2019's "Monopoly."

In fact, Monét's first GRAMMY nominations were for her work with Grande. In 2020, her songwriting on Grande's 2019 LP, Thank U, Next, earned a nod for Album Of The Year as well as Record Of The Year for its braggadocious single "7 Rings." (Monét notched her third nomination as a songwriter the following year, for Best R&B Song for Chloe x Halle's "Do It.")

"Victoria is a brilliant collaborator, musician, writer and just as brilliant of a friend. She is a very pure person and I think that's why we connect the way we do," Grande told Billboard in 2019.  "She is a timeless writer and vocalist and one of the nicest people I know and truly deserves the world. I'm so proud of the work we've done together and so excited to watch her grow as an artist."

Though her success with Grande was abundant, Monét admitted that there came a point where she felt her songwriting overshadowed her artistry. She had released four EPs from 2014 to 2018, all of which showcased a more exploratory sound than Jaguar II, but remained rooted in R&B. In 2020, she decided it was time to honor, as she put it, "what the little girl in me wanted to do": perform.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for Monét's fifth EP, 2020's Jaguar; first, a five-month delay of the release, and second, the inability to perform it live. Yet, her star was on the rise: Jaguar became Monét's first charting project, landing in the top 20 of the Hip-Hop/R&B charts in both the U.S. and the UK as well as No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart in August 2020. 

The following February, she welcomed her first child, a daughter, Hazel. After experiencing postpartum depression, she decided to channel her struggles into music — and it resulted in her breakthrough hit.

"On My Mama," the third single from her debut full-length album, Jaguar II, is a brassy throwback to the sultry, head-bopping R&B jams of the late '90s/early '00s, with luscious stacked harmonies and self-affirming lyrics ripe with a mix of sexy innuendos and clever wordplay ("They say, 'Ooh, she smell good'/ That's just 'cause I'm Heaven-sent").

The catchy bop — which samples Chalie Boy's 2009 Dirty South anthem, "I Look Good" — was an instant radio hit and earned the singer her first two No. 1s on Billboard charts (she topped the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tally for 2 weeks in November 2023 and the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list in December). The song's feel-good music video, which has racked up over 33 million views on YouTube as of press time, features Chali Boy, Hazel and, of course, her mom.

The swaggy ode to self-empowerment scored two GRAMMY noms, Record Of The Year and Best R&B Song. Along with those and her Best New Artist nod, Jaguar II helped Monét earn seven nominations in total, including Best R&B Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, Best R&B Performance ("How Does It Make You Feel") and Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Hollywood").

After a long and winding road, Monét has proven that her artistry is as impactful as her songwriting. As D'Mile notes, a big reason she's now seeing success is because she's done her homework as much as she's laid her groundwork.

"She studies the greats. Janet, Beyoncé..." D'Mile says. "We went to see the 'Renaissance' film. Mind you, she already saw it at the premiere. But this time, I was next to her and I can literally feel her watching the movie with different eyes than probably everyone else in the room." 

This dedication is on full display in her music videos and in her live performances. She hit the road for her first-ever headlining tour in 2023, dazzling fans with high-energy choreography and elite vocal control reminiscent of Bey herself — and selling out all 22 shows minutes after tickets went on sale.

Amid the final dates of the tour, the 2024 GRAMMY nominations arrived. And not only did Monét receive her first nominations as an artist in her own right, but she earned perhaps her biggest validation to date: a Best New Artist nomination. 

"I had something to prove. It wasn't just handed to me," Monét recently told Variety. "So it's all a part of why I think things are coming to fruition now: It's just time. It's almost like, 'Alright girl — you didn't give up. We're going to give you something.'"

Monét's career trajectory continues to skyrocket as she prepares for Music's Biggest Night. In the weeks leading up to the 66th GRAMMY Awards, Monét has earned nominations from ASCAP and the NAACP Image Awards, and she's set to receive the Rising Star award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in March. And while she hasn't announced tour plans for 2024, she is on the bill for two massive festivals; Monét is set to make her Coachella debut in April and play Governor's Ball in New York City in June.

And whether or not she scores a golden gramophone on Feb. 4, Monét already feels like a winner. 

"I feel now is the time to stand my ground, and be proud of what I am, and who I am," she told CBS News on Jan. 30, days before the 2024 GRAMMYs. "This is one step closer to a really big dream."

How R&B Took Over The 2024 GRAMMYs: From Best New Artist Nominees To The GRAMMY Stage

Since 1959, the GRAMMY Award has been music’s most coveted honor. Each year at the annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY-winning and -nominated artists are recognized for their musical excellence by their peers. Their lives are forever changed — so are their career trajectories. And when you have questions about the GRAMMYs, we have answers.

Here are seven facts to know about the value of the GRAMMY trophy.

How Much Does A GRAMMY Trophy Cost To Make?

The cost to produce a GRAMMY Award trophy, including labor and materials, is nearly $800. Bob Graves, who cast the original GRAMMY mold inside his garage in 1958, passed on his legacy to John Billings, his neighbor, in 1983. Billings, also known as "The GRAMMY Man," designed the current model in use, which debuted in 1991.

How Long Does It Take To Make A GRAMMY Trophy?

Billings and his crew work on making GRAMMY trophies throughout the year. Each GRAMMY is handmade, and each GRAMMY Award trophy takes 15 hours to produce. 

Where Are The GRAMMY Trophies Made?

While Los Angeles is the headquarters of the Recording Academy and the GRAMMYs, and regularly the home of the annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY trophies are produced at Billings Artworks in Ridgway, Colorado, about 800 miles away from L.A.

Is The GRAMMY Award Made Of Real Gold?

GRAMMY Awards are made of a trademarked alloy called "Grammium" — a secret zinc alloy — and are plated with 24-karat gold.

How Many GRAMMY Trophies Are Made Per Year?

Approximately 600-800 GRAMMY Award trophies are produced per year. This includes both GRAMMY Awards and Latin GRAMMY Awards for the two Academies; the number of GRAMMYs manufactured each year always depends on the number of winners and Categories we award across both award shows.

Fun fact: The two GRAMMY trophies have different-colored bases. The GRAMMY Award has a black base, while the Latin GRAMMY Award has a burgundy base.

Photos: Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images; Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

How Much Does A GRAMMY Weigh?

The GRAMMY trophy weighs approximately 5 pounds. The trophy's height is 9-and-a-half inches. The trophy's width is nearly 6 inches by 6 inches.

What Is The True Value Of A GRAMMY?

Winning a GRAMMY, and even just being nominated for a GRAMMY, has an immeasurable positive impact on the nominated and winning artists. It opens up new career avenues, builds global awareness of artists, and ultimately solidifies a creator’s place in history. Since the GRAMMY Award is the only peer-voted award in music, this means artists are recognized, awarded and celebrated by those in their fields and industries, ultimately making the value of a GRAMMY truly priceless and immeasurable.

In an interview featured in the 2024 GRAMMYs program book, two-time GRAMMY winner Lauren Daigle spoke of the value and impact of a GRAMMY Award. "Time has passed since I got my [first] GRAMMYs, but the rooms that I am now able to sit in, with some of the most incredible writers, producers and performers on the planet, is truly the greatest gift of all." 

"Once you have that credential, it's a different certification. It definitely holds weight," two-time GRAMMY winner Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of the Roots added. "It's a huge stamp as far as branding, businesswise, achievement-wise and in every regard. What the GRAMMY means to people, fans and artists is ever-evolving." 

As Billboard explains, artists will often see significant boosts in album sales and streaming numbers after winning a GRAMMY or performing on the GRAMMY stage. This is known as the "GRAMMY Effect," an industry phenomenon in which a GRAMMY accolade directly influences the music biz and the wider popular culture. 

For new artists in particular, the "GRAMMY Effect" has immensely helped rising creators reach new professional heights. Samara Joy, who won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist at the 2023 GRAMMYs, saw a 989% boost in sales and a 670% increase in on-demand streams for her album Linger Awhile, which won the GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album that same night. H.E.R., a former Best New Artist nominee, saw a massive 6,771% increase in song sales for her hit “I Can’t Breathe” on the day it won the GRAMMY for Song Of The Year at the 2021 GRAMMYs, compared to the day before, Rolling Stone reports. 

Throughout the decades, past Best New Artist winners have continued to dominate the music industry and charts since taking home the GRAMMY gold — and continue to do so to this day. Recently, Best New Artist winners dominated the music industry and charts in 2023: Billie Eilish (2020 winner) sold 2 million equivalent album units, Olivia Rodrigo (2022 winner) sold 2.1 million equivalent album units, and Adele (2009 winner) sold 1.3 million equivalent album units. Elsewhere, past Best New Artist winners have gone on to star in major Hollywood blockbusters (Dua Lipa); headline arena tours and sign major brand deals (Megan Thee Stallion); become LGBTIA+ icons (Sam Smith); and reach multiplatinum status (John Legend).

Most recently, several winners, nominees and performers at the 2024 GRAMMYs saw significant bumps in U.S. streams and sales: Tracy Chapman's classic, GRAMMY-winning single "Fast Car," which she performed alongside Luke Combs, returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time since 1988, when the song was originally released, according to Billboard. Fellow icon Joni Mitchell saw her ‘60s classic “Both Sides, Now,” hit the top 10 on the Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard reports.

In addition to financial gains, artists also experience significant professional wins as a result of their GRAMMY accolades. For instance, after she won the GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album for Rapture at the 2020 GRAMMYs, Koffee signed a U.S. record deal; after his first GRAMMYs in 2014, Kendrick Lamar saw a 349% increase in his Instagram following, Billboard reports. 

Visit our interactive GRAMMY Awards Journey page to learn more about the GRAMMY Awards and the voting process behind the annual ceremony.

2024 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List

The Recording Academy has partnered with leading online learning platform Coursera on GRAMMY GO, a new online initiative to offer classes tailored for music creators and industry professionals.

This partnership empowers the next generation of the music community with practical, up-to-the moment digital content that provides wisdom for both emerging and established members of the industry. Continuing the Academy’s ongoing mission to serve all music people, courses cover a variety of specializations tailored to creative and professional growth. 

GRAMMY GO on Coursera includes courses taught by Recording Academy members, featuring GRAMMY winners and nominees and offers real-life lessons learners can put to work right away.

Starting today, enrollment is open for GRAMMY GO’s first Coursera specialization, "Building Your Audience for Music Professionals," taught by Joey Harris, international music/marketing executive and CEO of Joey Harris Inc. The course features Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam, 10-time GRAMMY nominee Janelle Monáe and three-time GRAMMY winner and the 2024 GRAMMYs Best New Artist Victoria Monét. This foundational specialization will help participants gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to build a strong brand presence and cultivate a devoted audience within the ever-changing music industry. 

The partnership’s second course, launching later this summer, aims to strengthen the technological and audio skills of a music producer. "Music Production: Crafting An Award-Worthy Song" will be taught by Carolyn Malachi, Howard University professor and GRAMMY nominee, and will include appearances by GRAMMY winner CIRKUT, three-time GRAMMY winner Hit-Boy, artist and celebrity vocal coach Stevie Mackey, five-time GRAMMY nominee and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., and 15-time GRAMMY winner Judith Sherman. Pre-enrollment for "Music Production: Crafting An Award-Worthy Song" opens today.

"Whether it be through a GRAMMY Museum program, GRAMMY Camp or GRAMMY U, the GRAMMY organization is committed to helping music creators flourish, and the Recording Academy is proud to introduce our newest learning platform, GRAMMY GO, in partnership with Coursera," said Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy. "A creator’s growth path is ongoing and these courses have been crafted to provide learners with the essential tools to grow in their professional and creative journeys."

"We are honored to welcome GRAMMY GO, our first entertainment partner, to the Coursera community," said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. "With these self-paced online specializations, aspiring music professionals all over the world have an incredible opportunity to learn directly from iconic artists and industry experts. Together with GRAMMY GO, we can empower tomorrow's pioneers of the music industry to explore their passion today."

GRAMMY GO also serves as the music community’s newest digital hub for career pathways and editorial content that provides industry insights for members of the industry; visit go.grammy.com for more. For information and enrollment, please visit the landing pages for "Building Your Audience for Music Professionals" and "Music Production: Crafting An Award-Worthy Song."

Meet 5 GRAMMY Nominees Who Started At GRAMMY U: From Boygenius Engineer Sarah Tudzin To Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying

Ludwig Göransson's captivating composition for Oppenheimer has triumphed in the Best Original Score category at the 2024 Oscars.

Göransson's victory represents his exceptional talent and innovative approach to film scoring, as one of the youngest composers to ever receive the Best Original Score Oscar. It marks his second win in the category — he took home his first Oscar in 2019 for Black Panther. Göransson's work on Oppenheimer also won at the 2024 GRAMMYs for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television).

Göransson's work stood out among the competition, going up against the scores of American Fiction, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Poor Things. His ability to convey deep emotional narratives and complex historical contexts through his scores has established him as one of the most innovative and sought-after composers in Hollywood.

Göransson's composition for Oppenheimer serves as the heartbeat of the movie, underpinning the film's exploration of the moral complexities and monumental impact of J. Robert Oppenheimer's work on the atomic bomb. Through his music, Göransson invites audiences into the internal and external conflicts faced by the "father of the atomic bomb," providing a sonic backdrop that is as thought-provoking as it is visceral.

Read more: Watch: Ludwig Göransson Discusses His GRAMMY Win For 'Oppenheimer' At The 2024 GRAMMYs 

The award was presented by fellow GRAMMY winners, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who will star together in the Wizard of Oz big screen adaptation of the musical Wicked as Glinda and Elphaba respectively, premiering on the silver screen later this year. Speaking to the power of music to leave an indelible mark on the viewer through film, Grande said, "a great film score can leave a handprint on our hearts forever. It can ignite wonder and astonishment, make us feel sadness and longing and even transport us to new worlds." 

Göransson achieved just that. In his acceptance speech, Göransson thanked his colleagues,  and stars of the film for contributions to his distinctive vision. "Christopher Nolan, it was your idea to use a violin in the score and it allowed me to work and collaborate with my wonderful wife and acclaimed violinist, Serena Göransson," he said.

Göransson ended his speech by acknowledging his parents, "Thank you for giving me guitars and drum machines and not buying me video games." 

2024 Oscars: Billie Eilish And FINNEAS Perform A Heartrending Version Of "What Was I Made For?" From The 'Barbie' Soundtrack

Sibling duo Billie Eilish and FINNEAS are taking home more awards "What Was I Made For" [From The Motion Picture *Barbie*], this time at the 2024 Oscars, winning the prestigious Best Original Song award for their heartfelt ballad.

Once again, they've proven their unparalleled talent crosses effortlessly between the realms of music and film. Billie Eilish and Finneas won their first Oscar in 2022 for Best Original Song with "No Time to Die," the theme for the James Bond film of the same name.

Fittingly, the award was presented by two GRAMMY-winning musical performers, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who star as Glinda and Elphaba in the Wizard of Oz big screen adaptation of the musical Wicked, premiering on the silver screen later this year. 

Eilish, who admitted to having a nightmare the night before receiving the award, burst into laughs before thanking the Academy and Barbie director Greta Gerwig, "Thank you to Greta, where did you go? I love you. Thank you for this. I'm so grateful for this song and this movie and the way that it made me feel."

The pair contended for the award against a diverse group of nominees: Diane Warren with "The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot," Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for "I'm Just Ken" also from Barbie, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson with "It Never Went Away" from American Symphony, and Scott George for "Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" from Killers of the Flower Moon.

Ahead of the win, Eilish and O'Connell gave a stirring paired back performance that highlighted their power as a pair.

Read more: 2024 Oscars: Billie Eilish And FINNEAS Perform A Heartrending Version Of "What Was I Made For?" From The 'Barbie' Soundtrack

"What Was I Made For?" captivated audiences and critics alike with its poignant lyrics and emotive composition, underscoring the siblings' ability to tap into universal feelings of identity and purpose.

This Oscar win is a significant milestone for both artists, reinforcing their status as multifaceted talents capable of storytelling that resonates across different mediums. At the 2024 GRAMMYs, they had already made waves with the same song, winning Song Of The Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media.

Eilish and Finneas's journey from the music studios to the glitz of the Oscar stage is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and the deep connection they share as siblings. Their ability to collaborate and push the boundaries of music, now recognized by both the Recording Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, sets a high bar for artists striving to make their mark across multiple industries.

Eilish and FINNEAS are not just a powerful duo in music but also formidable talents in film music composition. Their Oscar victory tonight is not just a win for them but a win for the incredible synergy between music and storytelling in cinema.

2024 Oscars: Watch Ryan Gosling And Mark Ronson Perform A Soaring, Hilarious Version Of "I'm Just Ken" From The 'Barbie' Soundtrack