Monica's no-nonsense lyrics and sultry vocals project a flinty toughness that R&B-loving women took to heart. Jazmine Sullivan's open-hearted songwriting and raspy voice recall Monica's strutting early single “Don't Take It Personal”, Melanie Fiona's conflicted “It Kills Me” brings to mind the similarly tormented “The First Night” and K. Michelle's real-talking catalogue turns up the simmering strength Monica exhibited on “The Boy Is Mine”.