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Mona Lisa (singer)
Encyclopedia
Kimberly Ledbetter, known by her professional stage name, Mona Lisa, (born November 20, 1979) is an American pop
and R&B
singer-songwriter, actress, model and record producer. She is best known for her debut single "Can't Be Wasting My Time
" featuring the Hip-Hop group Lost Boyz, which was featured on the "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
" soundtrack as well as her debut album 11-20-79
. She also is known for her smash hit " Just Wanna Please You" featuring rapper Jadakiss.
, later relocating to Yonkers, NY. Her exotic looks are from her African American/Native American mother and her Caucasian father. A musical prodigy, Mona began singing in church at the age of 7. She joined Ujamma Dance Theatre of Harlem, NY at 10, and began performing for sold out audiences. After performing and winning talent competitions across the state, at 12 years old she performed at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. Singing "Home" by Stephanie Mills, she received a standing ovation from the notorious audience. Money was thrown to her onstage from the audience members, a gesture that had not been performed for years. By 13, Mona's talent caught the attention of world renowned producer Narada Michael Walden. Narada, the producer who created hits and helped shape the careers of such artists as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to name a few, recognized Mona's unbelievable talent, and took her under his wing. The time spent and the teachings from the critically acclaimed producer molded Mona into the artist and entertainer that she is today. She later began touring overseas.
At 15, she signed to Island Black Music, a subsidiary of Island Records
from 1995–1998 and Def Soul, a subsidiary of Def Jam Records from 1998-1999. She met Hiraim Hicks, CEO of Island Black Music, and sung " His Eye Is On the Sparrow" acapella. She was signed on the spot. By her sixteenth birthday she had already penned and vocally arranged half of her debut album, 11-20-79
, collaborated and written with the industries top producers and artists, and became a fixture on music television and radio airwaves.
), her debut album 11-20-79 (a reference to her birth date) was released, alongside a follow-up single, "You Said". Mona guest-starred on the hit Nickelodeon
show Kenan & Kel
. Mona also thrived in her modeling career, gracing the pages of magazines worldwide.
With the Island Black Music Records imprint being dissolved into Def Soul/Island Def Jam, their roster (including Mona, Case, Kelly Price
, Montell Jordan
, Dru Hill
and others) followed suit, and began working on new projects. Mona continued to work behind the scenes, writing, and concentrating on her schoolwork. Education was always important to her, and in 1998 she graduated with a 4.0 average.
With her departure from the label in 2000, at the age of 20, Mona decided to continue with her education. With dreams of running her own business. Mona has always remained in the entertainment industry, working behind the scenes, writing, producing, and splitting her time between LA and NY working on a variety of projects.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer-songwriter, actress, model and record producer. She is best known for her debut single "Can't Be Wasting My Time
Can't Be Wasting My Time
"Can't Be Wasting My Time" is a song by American R&B artist Mona Lisa featuring hip hop group the Lost Boyz which was recorded for her debut album 11-20-79 . The song was released as the album's first single in January of 1996.-Track listings:...
" featuring the Hip-Hop group Lost Boyz, which was featured on the "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood is a 1996 parody film by Shawn and Marlon Wayans. Similarly to I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, the film spoofs a number of black, coming-of-age, 'hood films' such as Juice, Jungle Fever, South Central, Higher Learning, Do the Right...
" soundtrack as well as her debut album 11-20-79
11-20-79
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*assistant engineering – Won Allen, Chris Habeck, Mark Nixdorf, Max Vargus*composing – G. Duncan, The Flex, Darren Floyd, D...
. She also is known for her smash hit " Just Wanna Please You" featuring rapper Jadakiss.
Background
Mona Lisa was born in Union, South CarolinaUnion, South Carolina
Union is the county seat of Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,393 at the 2010 census.It is the principal city of the Union Micropolitan Statistical Area , an which includes all of Union County and which is further included in the greater...
, later relocating to Yonkers, NY. Her exotic looks are from her African American/Native American mother and her Caucasian father. A musical prodigy, Mona began singing in church at the age of 7. She joined Ujamma Dance Theatre of Harlem, NY at 10, and began performing for sold out audiences. After performing and winning talent competitions across the state, at 12 years old she performed at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. Singing "Home" by Stephanie Mills, she received a standing ovation from the notorious audience. Money was thrown to her onstage from the audience members, a gesture that had not been performed for years. By 13, Mona's talent caught the attention of world renowned producer Narada Michael Walden. Narada, the producer who created hits and helped shape the careers of such artists as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to name a few, recognized Mona's unbelievable talent, and took her under his wing. The time spent and the teachings from the critically acclaimed producer molded Mona into the artist and entertainer that she is today. She later began touring overseas.
At 15, she signed to Island Black Music, a subsidiary of Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
from 1995–1998 and Def Soul, a subsidiary of Def Jam Records from 1998-1999. She met Hiraim Hicks, CEO of Island Black Music, and sung " His Eye Is On the Sparrow" acapella. She was signed on the spot. By her sixteenth birthday she had already penned and vocally arranged half of her debut album, 11-20-79
11-20-79
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*assistant engineering – Won Allen, Chris Habeck, Mark Nixdorf, Max Vargus*composing – G. Duncan, The Flex, Darren Floyd, D...
, collaborated and written with the industries top producers and artists, and became a fixture on music television and radio airwaves.
11-20-79 Era
In 1995, her debut single, "Can't Be Wasting My Time" was released on the Don't Be a Menace... soundtrack. Following the success of the single (and her appearance on another soundtrack cut,she penned the chorus to "Time to Shine" with Lil' KimLil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
), her debut album 11-20-79 (a reference to her birth date) was released, alongside a follow-up single, "You Said". Mona guest-starred on the hit Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
show Kenan & Kel
Kenan & Kel
Kenan & Kel is an American teen sitcom produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions that originally aired on Nickelodeon from July 1996 to July 2000. The show starred friends and then-All That cast members Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Sixty-two episodes and a made-for-TV movie were produced over four...
. Mona also thrived in her modeling career, gracing the pages of magazines worldwide.
With the Island Black Music Records imprint being dissolved into Def Soul/Island Def Jam, their roster (including Mona, Case, Kelly Price
Kelly Price
Kelly Price is an American R&B and soul singer, formerly on the Def Soul label.-Life and music career:Kelly Cherelle Price was born in Queens, New York. She was first discovered by Mariah Carey in February 1992 and subsequently introduced to Sony Columbia's then CEO Tommy Mottola...
, Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan is a former American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. Jordan became the main solo male artist on its Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. Of his live performances it is often regarded that he is a rock oriented musician, with Jordan even going as far as to...
, Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
and others) followed suit, and began working on new projects. Mona continued to work behind the scenes, writing, and concentrating on her schoolwork. Education was always important to her, and in 1998 she graduated with a 4.0 average.
With her departure from the label in 2000, at the age of 20, Mona decided to continue with her education. With dreams of running her own business. Mona has always remained in the entertainment industry, working behind the scenes, writing, producing, and splitting her time between LA and NY working on a variety of projects.
Singles
- 1996 - "Can't Be Wasting My TimeCan't Be Wasting My Time"Can't Be Wasting My Time" is a song by American R&B artist Mona Lisa featuring hip hop group the Lost Boyz which was recorded for her debut album 11-20-79 . The song was released as the album's first single in January of 1996.-Track listings:...
" (featuring The Lost Boyz) - 1996 - "You Said"
- 1997 - "Just Wanna Please U" (Stevie J. Remix) (featuring The LOX)
- 1997 - "Somehow" (with Voices of Theory & KuruptKuruptRicardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
) - 1998 - "Gettin" It On" (from Woo)
- 1998 - "Peach"
Videography
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
"Can't Be Wasting My Time (One Dread One Ball Head Version featuring Lost Boyz)" | Brian Luvar |
| 1996 1996 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact... |
"Time To Shine" (Lil' Kim Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A..... featuring Mona Lisa) |
Lance "Un" Rivera |
| 1996 | "You Said" | Paul Hunter |
| 1997 | "Just Wanna Please U (Stevie J. Version featuring The LOX The LOX The Lox are an American hip hop group composed of Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P. They were originally signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records before joining Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and are now a part of their own label, D-Block Records-Early career:... )" |
Diane Martel |
| 1997 1997 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy... |
"Somehow" (Voices of Theory featuring Mona Lisa & Kurupt) | - |
| 1998 1998 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia... |
"Peach" | Ron Norsworthy |