Monifah Interview: New Single “Testify”, Upcoming Project, Acting & More

Renowned R&B singer, songwriter and television personality Monifah emerged as a prominent voice in the 1990's music scene with Billboard charting albums Moods... Moments, Mo'hogany and Home and songs such as the iconic top 10 hit single "Touch It", "You", "I Miss You (Come Back Home)" and "I Can Tell". Then in 2012, Monifah stepped in the world of television as one of the original cast members of the TV One hit reality docu-series R&B Divas Atlanta for three seasons where the award-winning singers offered an inside look at how they balance their music career and personal lives as they work towards getting their lives and careers back on track. For 2015, Monifah was honored with the 2015 Vanguard Award from the OUTMusic Awards for her 2014 independently released song "The Other Side". In the spring of that same year, Monifah & wife Terez were the recipients of the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program for their historical wedding episode on R&B Divas, being the first African American same-sex couple to have their nuptials televised on a national platform. Later that fall she independently released a powerful single entitled "One Moment" which was a mid-tempo ballad which sparked an anthem that spoke to the importance of placing "yourself" first. This year, Monifah released her electrifying latest single "Testify" off her forthcoming new project Grace at Midnight.

TERRANCE: First, congratulations on the release of your new single “Testify”.

MONIFAH: Thank you.

TERRANCE: Tell us about the concept behind it and what inspired it.

MONIFAH: It wasn’t as deep as it sounds *laughs*. Anthony Giles produced the track and we co-wrote. I heard the track and he gave me like a little mark for what he kinda came up with for the melody and in fifteen minutes we had “Testify”, quite honestly. That’s what came out and what I just felt with that music. It really is a testament to where I am in my life’s journey. Also, the timing of it couldn’t be better quite honestly because this is the year of truth.

TERRANCE: You also have a new project on the way called Grace At Midnight. What can we expect from this project?

MONIFAH: You can expect the unexpected. I’m in that space in my career and the way artists are now able to directly connect with their audience. And I don’t really feel like I need to be pigeonholed. I just want to do music that shows every side of me and all the types of music I like. So, there’s a lot of different sounds in this project. “Testify” is a dance record and will have different mixes. We will have an R&B mix as well. But yeah, I’m not pigeonholed. Even with “Touch It”, it really crossed over, it was a huge record and wasn’t the traditional R&B record and it did a lot for my career. Probably, if we were prepared a little more to kind of ride that wave, I think it would have been different. As an R&B artist, it kind of took everybody by surprise, so to speak.

TERRANCE: You’ve done reality TV in the past with R&B Divas Atlanta and with that being said, if the opportunity presented itself again for reality TV, would you be opened to it?

MONIFAH: I would absolutely do reality TV again. For sure. Yeah, I would. I’m focusing on acting too, so next time I’m on TV, that’s what you’ll see me in, in that capacity. I’ve done some guest spots on a few shows. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to really concentrating on that and behind the cameras; producing and directing.

TERRANCE: What would be your dream role?

MONIFAH: Psychological thriller playing a cop. I think I’m gonna write it. That would be dope.

TERRANCE: What are your personal favorite songs from your three studio albums, starting with Moods… Moments (1996)?

MONIFAH: “Lay with You” is one of my favorite tracks as well as “You’ve Got My Heart”, “Would You” and “It’s Alright”. “It’s Alright” has a sentimental value. That was the record that got Heavy D. wanting to do an album on me. I was doing the reference vocal on that for a young boy they had signed to Uptown Records and that song was for him and once I finished referencing it, Heav was like, you can keep it. We’re gonna start your album tomorrow. Don’t be late.

TERRANCE: Mo’hogany (1998)?

MONIFAH: One is “Suga Suga” and the other is “Have You Ever Been Loved”.

TERRANCE: Home (2000)?

MONIFAH: “Free Again” is one and “Nana” which is a duet with Chico DeBarge.

TERRANCE: I personally love your cover of “Jesus Is Love” from the Moods… Moments album.

MONIFAH: Thank you. That was another Heav idea and one of the best ideas ever. I think it was a great cover and choice. I was able to do it with the fantastic Boys Choir of Harlem and as a girl from Harlem, that was dope. I enjoyed that very much.

TERRANCE: What’s a day in the life of Monifah away from the cameras?

MONIFAH: Real regular. I’m a dog mom. I care for my 84 year old feisty mom and my mother-in-law lives with me. I’m very domestic. I’m also a crocheter. I love to cook. I love juicing. For the most part, I’m a homebody if I’m not out being social. I love people, but my social clock can run out very quickly, so I’m usually home. I love movies and watching really good programming and stories. I read a lot. I love tarot cards. I’m teaching myself the tarot. So, yeah, I’m keeping myself pretty busy. *laughs*

TERRANCE: Are there any tours or special events you can tell us about?

MONIFAH: Well, I’m thankfully gigging. I’m looking forward to jumping on a tour, but I am definitely working. I have a few dates across the country coming up in New York, Palm Springs, like spot dates, so I’m working. I’m probably going to be working a lot overseas. I’m really excited about that. 

TERRANCE: If you could go back and tell your younger self three things, getting started in this business, what would they be?

MONIFAH: You are enough, slow it down and focus.

TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to share with longtime fans as well as new ones?

MONIFAH: I’d like to say thank you so much to the Monifanz that have stayed with me since the beginning and supported and helped make it happen, because I didn’t get here alone. I appreciate the support. And to my new citizens of the Monifanz, I love you and enjoy the ride because we got a lot of grounds to cover and it’s going to be really, really exciting. And thank you!

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