It's been nearly four years since R&B star Monica released her last CD, 1998's The Boy Is Mine, which featured the chart-topping title track, a duet with Brandy. Her fans won't have too much longer to wait for new music. "I hope to have the record ready by the beginning of the year," she says. "I'm working with Jermaine Dupri, and right now we have three songs done."

In addition to reuniting with prolific producer Dupri (Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Lil' Bow Wow), with whom she worked on The Boy Is Mine, Monica is getting production help from Dallas Austin, Soul Shock and Carlin, Rodney Jerkins (another collaborator from The Boy Is Mine), Warren Campbell and more on the upcoming J Records release.

Another returning hand is former Arista Records/current J Records president Clive Davis, who served as executive producer of The Boy Is Mine. "I've been with him since I was thirteen," Monica says, "and I get a chance to continue the relationship, which I'm very excited about."

Monica will also be appearing on the small screen this fall, playing a non-recurring character named Sarah Robinson on an episode of Felicity that will air in November.

STEVE BALTIN
October 11, 2001