Victoria Monét Recalls Nas's Early Recognition in Wimauma

WIMAUMA — Rap legend Nas recognized Victoria Monét's talent early in her career, long before she became a Grammy-winning R&B artist. Her talent has blossomed far beyond the agricultural roots that once defined much of Wimauma.

Monét, who released her sophomore album "Frequency of Love" last week, shared the story during a recent appearance on "The Jennifer Hudson Show." She recalled her 2012 collaboration with Nas on "You Wouldn't Understand," a track from his tenth studio album, "Life Is Good." The song marked a significant moment in her burgeoning career, a path that has since led her far from Hillsborough County.

"I think the first time I got recognition from a songwriter to artist was with Nas," Monét told Hudson. The singer-songwriter began her career writing hooks for popular artists in the 2010s. Her strategy involved crafting and singing hooks so exceptionally well that artists would want to feature her on the track.

This approach led Monét to the studio with Nas. Instead of using her vocals as background elements, Nas featured her voice prominently on "You Wouldn't Understand." "It was my first major feature, and I was so thankful for him seeing me," Monét recounted. "He brought me on 'The Arsenio Hall Show' to do a live performance of the song." The opportunity offered an early glimpse of her potential as a front-facing performer when an established artist believed in her.

Nas's "Life Is Good" achieved commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and later earning RIAA Gold certification. Monét, then an emerging artist, joined notable collaborators like Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Miguel, and Amy Winehouse on the album. Years later, with three Grammys and a new album, her early feature with Nas stands out as a key indicator of her future success, inspiring many back home in Wimauma.