Victoria Monét has secured another major triumph in her ascending career, capturing the top spot on Billboard’s weekly new music poll with her ambitious sophomore full-length album, Frequency of Love. Released on October 2, the 22-track collection resonated strongly with music consumers, pulling in an impressive 40 percent of the total vote. The victory highlights Monét’s growing commercial and critical footprint as she transitions from a powerhouse songwriter and critical darling into a definitive mainstream force.
The latest poll, published by Billboard on Friday, October 2, asked listeners to vote for their favorite new release among a competitive slate of heavy hitters. Monét’s project faced stiff competition from notable drops across various genres, including Noah Kahan’s latest single "Draw You Out," Miranda Lambert’s new album Crisco, and Drake’s deluxe edition release HABIBTI (FOMO). Despite the star-studded competition, Monét’s dedicated fanbase and the undeniable appeal of her expansive tracklist propelled Frequency of Love to a decisive victory by the time voting closed on Sunday night.
The Road to Frequency of Love: Album Rollout and Chronology
The release of Frequency of Love marks a highly anticipated follow-up to Monét’s critically acclaimed 2023 album Jaguar II, a project that cemented her status as a premier R&B visionary and earned her multiple Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, and Best New Artist. Building upon the momentum of Jaguar II required a deliberate and measured strategy.
The rollout for Frequency of Love began in earnest weeks ahead of its full-length drop. Fans were given their initial preview of the sonic direction through three strategic promotional singles: "Let Me," "Reach Out," and "Juicy." These tracks showcased Monét’s signature blend of classic soul textures, contemporary R&B rhythms, and sophisticated pop songwriting. When the complete 22-song set finally arrived on streaming platforms on October 2, it offered listeners a remarkably expansive body of work that rewarded deep listening and reaffirmed her dedication to meticulous studio craftsmanship.
Star-Studded Collaborations and Personal Milestones
Clocking in at 22 tracks, Frequency of Love features a diverse array of high-profile collaborations and deeply personal artistic choices. Among the most talked-about moments on the album is the track "You Mean the World to Me," which bridges generations by featuring both R&B singer Leon Thomas and a very special, uncredited vocal performance from Monét’s five-year-old daughter, Hazel.
The inclusion of her daughter added a profound emotional layer to the project. Over the weekend, Monét took to social media to share a heartfelt public tribute detailing the sacrifices and joys of balancing motherhood with a demanding recording schedule. In an Instagram post addressed to Hazel, the singer expressed her gratitude for the child’s patience, understanding, and unconditional love while she balanced university courses, studio sessions, and intense promotional schedules.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding and unconditional love while mommy was in school, while I made this album, every time I had to step out of the door without you and when work didn’t end once I got back home!" Monét wrote on Saturday. "I am so honored to have you as a feature on this album (you sound soooo beautiful) and I am so proud of your growth in every way, your natural empathy, your humor, your respect, the way you love and your undeniable talent! Forevermore, it’s you and me baby."
Beyond family ties, the album’s feature roster reads as a roll call of modern R&B and pop royalty. In addition to Leon Thomas, Frequency of Love includes contributions from Lucky Daye, SZA, Bryson Tiller, Chlöe, and Bruno Mars. The collaboration with Mars arrives on the heels of a successful professional partnership, as Monét recently served as a supporting act on select dates of Mars’ extensive Romantic Tour.
Poll Breakdown and Competitive Landscape
Monét’s victory in the new music poll was decisive, commanding nearly half of the total audience participation. According to the final statistics released by Billboard, Frequency of Love dominated the weekend engagement metrics with its 40 percent share.
Trailing behind Monét in second place was singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, whose new single "Draw You Out" captured a formidable 29 percent of the vote, proving his continued crossover appeal following a massive run in the folk-pop and alternative spaces. Country music icon Miranda Lambert secured nearly 7 percent of the vote with her latest studio project, Crisco, while rap superstar Drake rounded out the top tier with nearly 6 percent of the vote for the deluxe release of HABIBTI (FOMO). The remaining percentage of votes was divided among other notable Friday releases, underscoring just how crowded the weekly release calendar was, and making Monét’s margin of victory all the more significant.
Touring Plans and Live Performance Integration
With the album now available worldwide, Monét is wasting no time translating her studio success to the live stage. Immediately following her high-profile arena run opening for Bruno Mars, the singer is preparing to launch her own headline trek.
The Frequency of Love Tour is scheduled to kick off on October 27 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The headlining tour will run through mid-December, taking Monét across major markets in North America as she performs selections from the new 22-song set alongside fan favorites from Jaguar II. Industry analysts anticipate that the live tour will serve as a major catalyst for the album’s long-term chart performance, capitalizing on the intense fan engagement demonstrated by the recent poll results.
Broader Implications for Monét’s Career Trajectory
Winning Billboard’s new music poll against major commercial juggernauts like Drake and established chart-toppers like Noah Kahan and Miranda Lambert illustrates Victoria Monét’s evolving commercial viability. While she has long been respected within the industry as a master songwriter—having penned massive hits for artists like Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, and Blackpink—her transition into a marquee solo headliner has been methodical and steady.
The strong public reception of Frequency of Love suggests that her Grammy-winning breakthrough with Jaguar II was not a fluke, but rather the foundation of a sustained artistic era. By blending deeply personal narratives—such as her tribute to her daughter—with cutting-edge sonic production and high-caliber features from artists like SZA and Bruno Mars, Monét has positioned herself at the absolute forefront of contemporary R&B. As the Frequency of Love Tour gets underway later this month, all eyes will be on how this new chapter translates to concert ticket sales, chart positions, and future accolades.
