What Happened to Mona Lisa?

The 90s was when “R&B” dominated the music world. Singers like Brandy, who transformed from the average girl next door to become America’s sweetheart, Monica, the artist from the streets who could hold her own in any singing competition just as well as in a cussing contest, and Aaliyah who remained the girl next door while still making waves dominated the music industry.
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[@appetite4chic878]

“Monica, the singer that could hold her own in a singing competition just as well as a cussing contest” took me out 💀😂

[@Leah-jw2yx]

Oh my God I can't even make the sound like like the like it hurts so bad like the first time it's so hard bro😭💀

[@liachanelsolodoe858]

Me too😂😂😂

[@jtaylor875]

The issue with Mona Lisa simply that she got lost in the shuffle. During the time when she was out, you had the big 3 (Brandy, Monica, and Aaliyah). Not saying she wasn’t talented because she has an amazing voice but it was hard to push through during that time.

[@fefesmith82]

I'm sorry but Aaliyah ain't in the same boat as Brandy or Monica hell sells prove that

[@finefeatheredfriend9240]

@@fefesmith82 C’mon nah. Aaliyah most certainly was in terms of POPULARITY. Not one single teen female R&B solo act could compete with Aaliyah, Monica, and Brandy. Aaliyah came out first and had instant mainstream success and continued to rise with each project. Brandy and Monica definitely sold more on their first two projects by comparison , but Aaliyah did very well on her first two also.

[@fefesmith82]

@@finefeatheredfriend9240 No one said she wasnt popular but her POPULARITY certainly wasnt the same as Brandy who came out just a few months after her! I'll give u Monica from her first album cause she got bigger with her second but that's a no for B she was EVERYWHERE straight out the gate and just kept getting bigger n bigger hell she had her own barbie doll lol! N it wasn't of female TEEN solo acts I was a teen through it all so I know

[@derocka]

@@fefesmith82 her voice wasn't as powerful but she had a lane.

[@fefesmith82]

@@derocka Never said she didn't

[@gsignaturemessage]

Can't Be Wasting My Time is a classic track in my opinion. Glad you did this one!

[@bronxkies]

A classic indeed. I always get hype when I hear it.

[@starrblayze6996]

Facts

[@nakiesha7]

Classic!! With Mr. Cheeks on it!

[@stevenpatterson7954]

CLASSIC HANDS DOWN

[@LisaF777]

Lil Kim ft Mona Lisa "My Time to Shine" ALWAYS reminds me of New York ❤️❤️❤️

[@jv-sc1fs]

Yess classic

[@kayfuller7304]

And the one she had by herself with the live audience 🔥

[@gabriellehanks6850]

That was my jam.. I remember it was on the Don’t be a Menace soundtrack

[@gillokonkwo791]

Remix was fire

[@th3rd3arplan3tradio]

Mona lisa album was really good. 95-96 had some really good r&b albums. The passion was there.

[@rongottimetoday7173]

True.. good and healthy friendly competition also.

[@johnnysilvercloud4470]

When I was in Afghanistan in 2005, I gave this one guy the Can't Be Wasting My Time song when his girl broke up with him. He, a white guy who never really messed with R&B at the time, loved that song. We too wondered how come they don't make music like that anymore, lol. I still remember this.

[@MrCbwTV]

She has a beautiful voice!!

[@whoistrent]

“Can’t be wasting my time” is the only song i ever knew of hers lol. Can you do “Tracie Spencer” next????? 🙏🏽

[@maryannestewart2384]

T Byrd who is she?

[@fcnc3024]

Yup

[@BiancaLaShaii]

Just a brief, big 90s female/anything rnb music fan but Tracie Spencer been around since she was 11 and few albums maybe more than a few, she pretty much left the scene when Olivia, Alicia Keys, and even Monifah tried to make a comeback. It's unfortunate for her too. I liked STILL IN MY HEART and IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU/NOT ABOUT ME . Yeah please Kim do a video on Tracie Spencer

[@sha8102]

Sooo sad about this.. she was soooo underrated! It's 2021 and I'm still blasting her album! Hope she makes a successful come back soon. Sincerely, still a fan 💜

[@MichalMichal-ki9rx]

Whats name the album please ? 🙏

[@sha8102]

11-20-79 (album name)

[@MichalMichal-ki9rx]

@@sha8102 Thanks You 🙂

[@sonyaugustin5179]

Facts she was dope I had bad crush on her I had a girl that looked like her love that song with the lost boyz waistng my time

[@sonyaugustin5179]

I love the lox feature too

[@Hains22]

Don’t Be a Menace soundtrack in full effect 🔥🔥🔥

[@thablackkat9905]

One of the best soundtracks ever made.

[@thablackkat9905]

Lil' Kim Lost Boyz Mona Lisa Erick Sermon E-40 Raekwon/GFK/Cappadonna 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Hains22]

@@thablackkat9905 Cap’s verse on Winter Warz is the reason I love rap today.

[@thablackkat9905]

@@Hains22 facts!

[@pillcosby3264]

Good soundtrack wu tang, lost Boyz , r Kelly, Lil Kim, Erick sermon, and mobb deep had good tracks on there.

[@derekpowell9615]

Lil Kim looked good in the 90s. It does suck that Mona Lisa didn't have a better career, she is talented.

[@Pinkricaan]

I'm Kimberly's BIGGEST fan....I bought this CD about 3 or 4 times and gave faithfully played 11-20-79 throughout the years and to this day...I ended up dealing with a street dude who produced her 2nd album that never came out and I had the full CD and I'm still so pissed I lost it throughout the years...she introduced us to The LOX

[@UKnowDaVibezXXX]

I'll be uploading that soon.

[@Pinkricaan]

@@UKnowDaVibezXXX thank you

[@DopeItzTheeOne]

Can’t be wasting my time is a forever classic one of favorite R&B songs.

[@toviaclayton]

I’m still listening to her music in 2021!

[@ledontataylor444]

The "Renee" Remix with The Lost Boyz is STILL 🔥2 this very day!

[@_unclecharles_]

she shoulda been bigger. them 3 singles she had was really good. she was gorgeous had a great voice but she needed a sound. she really was just like Aaliyah. Aaliyah first album was good but when she got with Timberland and Missy the gave her a sound that really took her to another level. I believe if Mona Lisa had that same kinda situation she woulda had the same kinda result

[@losrob27]

"Can't Be Wasting My Time" is one of the greatest party joints of ALL-TIME, in my opinion. Very underrated joint.

[@JaysEndeavors]

Her 11-20-79 album was great👍..

[@derocka]

She's like the female Christopher Williams. You look at her and think "total package" but here we are saying "talent unfulfilled". Whatever the case, the most important thing is that SHE'S happy and is comfortable with the way things have gone. She was definitely my teenage crush. I get all funny and nostalgic thinking about her right now. Beautiful beautiful woman.

[@money7102]

Great take 👍🏾

[@KyleEdwards-if3po]

You ain’t lying I was around ten or eleven when she came out and had the biggest crush on her. I remember she was on an episode of Keenan and kel.

[@BountifulOrchard]

“Can’t Be Wasting My Time” with Lost Boyz was my jam. You should do Lost Boyz and R&B group “The Boys” who sang “Dial My Heart” since I’m on boys. LOL

[@qstasteecakes8625]

I don’t think she got over shadowed at all. I just truly blame the record label. I was in love this young lady and they didn’t promote her at all. Her single “You Said” would only be played late as hell at night on BET around/after midnight and never during the day or on the radio. They barely played “Just wanna please you” as well. I remember this vividly because I recorded videos on VHS to learn the dances and it was always hard trynna catch those 2 videos. She was an amazing singer and they did her dirty.

[@haezeushawkins436]

Damn see I was born in 95 and I always wonder what happen to her I kno if I was older then I would have been madly in love with her

[@derrickhewlett5803]

Facts. Because they push artists who are trash . And make them blow up

[@Letitallhangout]

Yup music industry politics and other b.s. She had the smoothest power vocals in that era, in my opinion, out of her so called competition.

[@loriannwhite8384]

Give Ali all his flowers. Thanks so much for these videos. Next Solo.

[@russondaholley6415]

I have NEVER heard of Mona Lisa, glad you do these type of videos Ali! You never disappoint! 💯💯💯

[@GP4288]

Mona Lisa was out in the 90's

[@taytayrazors9033]

Wow 😲

[@monicasmith240]

Really what yr u was born

[@th3rd3arplan3tradio]

I grew up on her music. It played in the house alot.

[@ForeverFit72]

I do not remeber her either 😑

[@daesihalewis316]

You should do Tracie Spencer.

[@thehiphoprenaissanceshowpa6938]

She's already had one, listen to Quest love Supreme podcast. Her and Shanice are both on there

[@TheMsklg1981]

Never clicked SO FAST!!!! I’m commenting before I even watch lol I’ve always wonder abt what happened. I still have all her singles and her album 11-20-79. She had such a beautiful voice. I think her voice my have been too mature for her target demographic. Can’t Be Wasting My Time remix is my fav song from her. I also like the song with her and Daz Dillinger. She had a good first album. This channel is so needed lol Shes not exoctic-looking tho. She looks like a light skinned or biracial woman.

[@Thaywood79]

Two things can happen at the same time. Let’s stop acting like black women - light/brown/dark skinned - can’t be exotic looking too. Black folks that only see “exotic” in anything that’s not black have self hate issues to sort through, and that’s not my concern.

[@reggierashad5088]

Just Wanna Please ft the Lox is one of my fav R&B songs. She really was so dope and it’s crazy that she blow up like Aaliyah, Monica and Brandy.

[@thablackkat9905]

I'm def one of the ppl who requested this.

[@johan01030709]

She has a beautiful voice

[@ericjuvon]

Omg my fav singer she was a vocal beast my opinion

[@KAW8503]

I just listened to her album today on the way home from work. Thanks for the update 💜

[@russondaholley6415]

When Mona Lisa came out there had to be for a fact tons of amazing artists out because I don't remember her or any of her music. Her voice is so gorgeous though! It's very sad she got over shadowed by so many greats!

[@LisaF777]

She had a few hits in the 90s. This is coming from a British person so.. 😅

[@thablackkat9905]

You may not remember her but as soon as one of her hits play your brain is going to remember. Her record introduced The LOX to the mainstream.

[@crystalblake8509]

She had songs. Look her up.

[@elevatedemotions4548]

They wanted her to dress down and she refused

[@RachelLondon]

She was a tripple threat. Beauty, brains + talent. Very rare. Wish her the best. Her voice and vibe was unmatched 🇬🇧

[@ginapayne744]

Still playing this album to this day. It was terribly underrated.

[@EmeraldZzz-i]

Yes thank you for doing Mona Lisa. I wondered what happened to her. I was just listening to her album. I love your work and what you do. Thank you again!

[@Yorktown48]

Her first album was a classic. I keep it in heavy rotation to this day.

[@Kev_-qm1je]

Ali do a What happen to "Patra"🇯🇲🤔 Queen of the Pack

[@TriniTingz]

"Man Is Not A Man If Him Nuh A Worker Man" 💅🏽

[@sandraboyce4817]

Thanks for this Ali. I think when i originally requested a video on Mona, a few of us were having a conversation in the comment section. Her album was solid, and one i listen to this day, i just think that a lot of artists were victim to a saturated period in music, and everyone was really talented and had decent music. I think the issue with Mona is not that she didn't possess any less talent or artistry than Brandy, Aalliyah & Monica, its she didn't have the backing. If you think of those other artists, they had the backing of a big name producer - Aaliyah with R. Kelly and then Missy & Timberland, Brandy with a lot of industry peers and then big names on remixes, and Monica with Dallas Austin (who was known for TLC) and then Clive Davis to steer her career. Mona had a a great debut single but there was nothing to piggy back off and keep the momentum. Although she had the song with Kim, it was seen as very much a feature and less of a relationship. It's a shame because i really enjoyed her music, but she is of a time when artists released one song & Disappeared or one album and was never seen again. Ali, are you still taking requests? the last time i asked for a few, but i have a few more.

[@isaiahwinbrone]

She's very underrated IMO

[@Kayla-ru4df]

Finally someone did a video about her couldn't find anything about what happened to her

[@anthonymcmillan8273]

I'm very 😊 to hear that she's still alive and well! From what this video is showing about her is true. She's doing behind the scenes stuff. Now she's 42. The musical competition 🔙 in the 90's was UGLY!! Too many artists to pay attention to. The first 📷 of her's I saw @ 🏫 was "Can't be wasting my time". That was the song that made me want to buy her album! I STILL have her cassette 📼! "11-20-79" is the name of the album and her 🎂. For a singer so young she really has a POWERFUL voice!! I liked the whole album but my favorite songs are "U said" "Can't be wasting my time", "Just wanna please you", "Just wanna please you (remix)" ft/The L.O.X, and "Our time to shine". If she plans to make one last album I'll be ready to rush my a-- to any store that has copies! Some of her songs got me through some real tough days! May the good Lord continue to guide her path and send more blessings her way. To me she's one of the 🐐 s!!

[@KK1UNIQUE]

Don’t forget she was on the lost boys song music makes me high .... crazy was my joint ☺️

[@StarshipNelson]

11-20-79 is a classic album! I still listen to it. She should re-release it!

[@bkliberty5800]

Definitely underrated.... Can u do the rapper Lumidee 👀

[@Mobaybeauty]

I still listen to can't be wasting my time daily.

[@mrmorpheus9707]

ive known lisa and family well since she was maybe 10, shes amazing! always was... ive had the pleasure of working with her and her brother few yrs back,,, i know shw moved to canada, i do miss her talent! shes untouchable!!

[@TroyRamseyyy]

Do you have music from her?

[@mrmorpheus9707]

@@TroyRamseyyy And you know i do

[@TroyRamseyyy]

@@mrmorpheus9707 Anything from her second album?

[@TroyRamseyyy]

@@mrmorpheus9707 I'm looking for her songs she had on her MySpace page.

[@kimberlywalters7592]

Mona lisa debut album was amazing and she will forever be an amazing singer!! 👏 ❤️

[@1kiakia11]

How did I miss this video! I’m a die-heart Mona Lisa FANATIC!!! I ❤❤❤her! Her voice is soooo powerful & unique! BEAUTIFUL voice!!! I hated she didn’t get her props & recognition! On the remix of ‘Just Wanna Please You’ maaaan that jewel 💎 was mad underrated!!

[@foreveryonee]

She could release anything she has from the past and imma listen cause I really love her album

[@patriceharrison1011]

Facts

[@excaliber8713]

Can you do a video on what happens to KP & envyi ? They had the hot song “swing my way “ it came out in 98

[@Nda54Gem]

Omg! I played that song 🎶 like crazy!!!❤️🤣

[@energygod1]

So beautiful...

[@PharaohLawLess1]

The thing is Mona Lisa didn't find her own niché. She was in the same mold as Monica and Aaliya and if your voice doesn't stand out you're gonna get lost in the shuffle. She needed to either find her own lane or link with a producer and label that would make her stand out

[@thablackkat9905]

It was primarily the label. She had the look, the producers, and the vocals. Island Records at the time she was signed wasn't too good with R&B music. They didn't have the proper staff for it. They were mostly known for rock.

[@PharaohLawLess1]

@@thablackkat9905 The label has a part to play in her not blowing up the way she should have but she would have to admit she was laid back when it came to her pushing herself out there. You can tell that that’s her personality bcuz she stays hidden now and doesn’t go on social media. Even if a label doesn’t push you , you have to push yourself

[@thablackkat9905]

@@PharaohLawLess1 no, I totally agree. That was Lloyd Banks' problem as well. I know exactly what you mean.

[@PharaohLawLess1]

@@thablackkat9905 Sometimes drive trumps talent. Talented but lazy or lack of putting yourself out there can derail your career

[@PharaohLawLess1]

@Ness 2cute Mona Lisa was definitely a better vocalist than Aaliya but Aaliya had swag that made her stand out

[@bronxkies]

I’m a pianist (self-taught as a child and classically trained as a teen) and “Can’t Be Wasting My Time” was an early inspiration for me. I remember playing that piano riff A LOT as a kid.

[@awesomestar7597]

They always forget about Mya

[@gabriellehanks6850]

I think it’s because Mya had a such a grown woman persona back then. Even more so than Monica. Mya never came off like a teenager back then.

[@Aries16603]

@@gabriellehanks6850 what are you talking about? Mya did come off as a teenager. If anything Monica came off as a grown woman especially with the “Ms. Thang” persona. Aaliyah also came off as a grown woman too with the “age ain’t nothing but a number” era.

[@shante70sb]

​@@Aries16603Obviously you never heard her first album.

[@shante70sb]

Mya came out in 98' she was late 90s. She didn't come round tha time Brandy, Monica, and Liyah and Mona Lisa came out. At that time it was those three.

[@Aries16603]

@@shante70sb I did hear her first album and it wasn’t “grown woman” vibes outside of “movin’ on”. I don’t know what’s wrong with your ears.

[@AlanaGurl]

I still bang “can’t be wasting my time” all the time. I love that song. Thanks for the video. She’s a great singer.

[@MrSolidLuxury]

I'm still listening to her music 2024❤ 90"era is unmatched

[@Cherrybomb20048]

She really should have been bigger.

[@authorronroberts]

I loved her.. I remember feeling like they took forever releasing her album.

[@Jujuthecat]

I’ve always wondered about her. I LOVED her voice!

[@KadeKurved]

I loved her so much! She has been in my playlist for years

[@TTSantiago821]

U CANT BE WASTING MY TIIIMMMEEEE! THAT IS STILL MY JOINT!!!

[@dreya3]

I love Mona Lisa, love her whole album and still play it to this day. I wish she would show back up and bless us with another album like 11-20-79!

[@dsteele2332]

What's crazy is I still that that 1st album...and to this day still play it lol..it was great front to back

[@robinwilson176]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Ali, For doing a video on Mona Lisa in the 90's in Ny they played her music a lot, I loved that cd she had a lot of hits, that whole album was 🔥🔥🔥, I always wondered what happened to her, her vocals and riff's are mind blowing, Maybe she wanted happiness over fame. She is very talented and if she decides to come back and drop another album, Im buying it..... I like your videos you are very knowledgeable in your journalism, keep up the good work 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@MRJLS15]

Another great video 😊 love hearing people backstory

[@bmello3610]

That's 1 hell of an intro 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Thanks for doing her story 🙏🏾 I was definitely a fan and still now ❤

[@blay877]

I love her!!! 😍😍❤️she’s so dope

[@roderickwilliams9605]

Please do Mint Condition Portrait Intro

[@gabriellehanks6850]

Mint Condition still doing their thing but Stokley put out some solo work.. Portrait broke up from what I recall, and the lead singer of Intro died of AIDS so the group dispensed.

[@petegreen22]

Man thank you. I always wondered about her.

[@rasx]

the singles she had was fire back then...Can't Be Wasting My Time, You Said, Just Wanna Please U, Sweet Memories. timeless

[@corymatthews6778]

Next up has to be groove theory

[@chancest.thomas5160]

They both admitted They got Big Headed & soon Their career crashed cuz of Egos. Amel Larrieux went Solo & released 4 Solo Albums. Ion know What Bryce Wilson is Doin' These Dayz.

[@GearsinMotionGraphics]

Wow!... I'm usually good on watching this channel but man, I'm surprised I missed this!. Can you please do one on the R&B singer Smooth!!!

[@nikkibankhead6759]

She had beats, well written songs she didn’t have the IT factor.

[@richarddominguez8361]

She was beautiful

[@playerhonda920]

I’m so glad you did Mona Lisa!!! Thank you!

[@tobistar274]

Keep up the good work Ali. 👍🏾

[@AliTalksMusic]

💯

[@GeddensGC]

I was a super fan but when i was in high school in mid 90s! I WISH she was still around. Just wanna please you, you said, cant be wasting my time, and other songs on her debut album were hitting! Damn, I miss her til this day! GREAT video. Honestly I really think how dirty this entertainment industry is, I can see why she wants no part of it and is not seeking fame anymore. I wish her the best!

[@sandybru2729]

This was great!!! Thank you she was a great singer - I loved her music she definitely could have gone very far with her career with the right people backing her

[@lerenzoroberts3663]

She was so dope and talented 👑🎤

[@starrblayze6996]

Finally!!!!!!! She is on facebook too. I think that she is a school teacher.

[@starrblayze6996]

Yup!

[@Rav8850]

Where?

[@Dillz4Realz]

What did her being mixed have to do with how beautiful she is, let alone need to be mentioned in a video about her career?

[@c30ful]

Ikr! That was ignorant asf.

[@Dillz4Realz]

@Motown Gayes I am using my head. I’m well aware of the industry and beauty standards in general. It still had nothing to do with contributing to her beauty or her talent.

[@sewblue187]

They always equate being mixed or lighter skinned as the most beautiful. I guarantee if she was dark skinned with these same features beauty wouldn’t have been mentioned at all😂😂😂 sad but true

[@goddess-overonyx7547]

​@@sewblue187 I agree.Mentioning the DNA,racial background and over description on looks, unnecessary.And that fact it didn't help her outsell other female artist that doesn't share her look.Her down fall unfortunately was that over urbanizing of her, pairing her with rappers instead of putting her in gowns and making her more girls next door , this is the strong hold of black males who run the industry.Ruined her career.

[@toyathebossy1]

MY FAVORITE SINGER OF ALL TIME!!

[@cheria59]

Yes! Reminders of my childhood

[@zairedravis2747]

I remember her i used listen to her in 90s ❤❤❤❤❤

[@immature1990]

I liked Mona Lisa I wish she could of been bigger than what she was

[@terrauncebowie6712]

I had a crush on Mona Lisa's cuteness back in the day. I Loved the song 'you said'

[@roderickwilliams9605]

This is a good one!

[@GangstaMojo]

The song they should have dropped from that album as a single was the song "I'm not your girl" Wu-Tang Clan was hot at the time so dropping a single with that "Cream" beat by Prince Rahim would have been fire

[@ARealFreeAgent]

Mona Lisa was on the Lost Boyz track "Renee (the soundtrack version)." I love the end when she let loose. Those were the days.

[@weirdLEXbutok]

can’t be wasting my time is a good record hardbody . the mr cheeks feature was the cherry on top . i love that song ! oh also can we get a Monifah video ?

[@LawrenceSpivey]

Ali stay on top of the classics! Great job homie!

[@JulesPerceval]

Ali you sound different here. More lively, sounds like you enjoyed making this video. Glad you did this video I loved, "Can't be Wasting my Time" 💜

[@AliTalksMusic]

I tried to have a bit more fun with it.

[@abrahamotomewo9242]

Really solid debut release good vocals, good production and good lyrics. I think her style was a little different from the 3 R&B princes, she was more on the hip hop soul vibe so more MJB & Faith sounding.

[@aceshabazz1937]

I love her album 11-20-79

[@Rae.Sanchez]

Loved her song "You Said"

[@inndia]

Beautiful voice

[@TheGamersGuide819]

She can sing

[@DubbViews]

So I found Mona Lisa a few yrs back omg so happy you made this vid! I def feel it was the choice on singles sadly.. Singles shouldve been Not your girl & The original Just wanna please you the remix wasnt good for radio!

[@finefeatheredfriend9240]

I too feel like Mona Lisa was a missed opportunity. I still have all 3 of her songs on my playlists. My favorite is Just Wanna Please You feat. The Lox and next would be You Said. I just watched You Said’s video recently and realized her dad in the video is Solange’s ex husband...lol. Small world

[@khatimmclean852]

I loved every song she released! Thanks for this.

[@Salana_Banx]

Mona lisa was my girl. I really wanted to see her win!

[@marvingonzalez6891]

The album had some bangers