INDUSTRY NEWS: NEW MONICA ALBUM

For the longest time, Monica kept on saying she had an album and single entitled "Still Standing" in the works, and a reality show on BET of the same name but we still haven't the fruits of that labor...

However, Mo's label has officially set release dates for a new lead sing entitled "Let Me Know," with production from Missy and lyrics from Jazmine Sullivan, to hit airwaves August 3rd. The new album is set to hit stores October 13th, and the BET show will be airing in the fall.

All I can say is big-ups to Mo because she deserves the attention. It's kind of sad that she had to ride Keyshia Cole's coat tails to get some recognition and creditability in 2009 from her label. "Trust" should have been solely a Monica record considering she steals the spotlight from Keyshia everytime the two perform the song, ie. The BET Awards - Keyshia had to literally tap Mo to stop singing so she could do her part.

Artistically, I wonder if Monica is going to change. Youtube videos from Jermaine Dupi's page indicate that she knows she just needs to do ballads. I'm not completely sure because Monica sings a mid-tempo song like no other. Another thing that Monica said that she knows people want is the 95' Monica. That's a major revelation... Vocally Monica is still there; she's like a new age Gladys Knight to me. As far as producers go, I know she's done some songs with Stargate and Ne-Yo. She is definitely sticking with her Atlanta fam: Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, and JD, and as the lead single indicates, Missy is on the project.

The biggest question that surrounds the project for me is could there be a possible reunion of Mo and Dallas Austin. He was responsible for her discovery and emergence as an R&B force in the mid-90's. If he feels as though he could produce music Monica would actually record, I think this would be a major boost for both of their careers cause lets be honest Jermaine can't necessarily do what Dallas did for Monica musically and Dallas' involvement with Diddy's "Last Train To Paris" album is not going to turn heads.