"Letters" is a song by American singer Monica. It was written by Monica, Ciara, Tasha Catour, Alicia Renee Williams and Brian "Killah B" Bates for her ninth studio album. Production on the track was overseen by Catour and Dana "Big Dane" Johnson. A downtempo love letter to an incarcerated lover, the song was released by Mondeenise Music as the album's fifth single on June 30, 2023. "Letters" has since reached number 11 on the US Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales chart.

"Letters"
Single by Monica
ReleasedJune 30, 2023
Length3:57
LabelMondeenise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Tasha Catour
  • Dana Johnson
Monica singles chronology
"Trusting God"
(2023)
"Letters"
(2023)
"The Boy Is Mine" (remix)
(2024)

Background

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"Letters" was written by Monica, singer Ciara, Tasha Catour, Alicia Renee Williams and Brian "Killah B" Bates for her upcoming ninth studio album,[1] while production was overseen by Catour and Dana Johnson.[2] On the downtempo track, Monica sings about her incarcerated lover and how much she loves him even though they can't physically be together, recognizing that she won't be able to find another man who will love and support her like him.[2] Following its release, several publications suggested that "Letters" was supposed to be a love letter to her former lover, rapper C-Murder, who was sentenced to life in prison for the alleged 2002 murder of a 16-year-old in 2009.[3][4]

Chart performance

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"Letters" made its debut on Billboard's US R&B Digital Song Sales chart dated for the week of July 15, 2023, reaching number 11.[5]

Music video

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The Game appears as Monica's love interest in the video.[6]

A music video for "Letters" was directed by Richard Selvi.[6] American rapper The Game appears as Monica's love interest in the video.[7] Prior to the video's release, both Monica and The Game shared snippets of it on their respective Instagram pages, including a clip of a bathtub scene.[3]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Letters"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
US R&B Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[5] 11

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Letters"
Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 30, 2023 Mondeenise [8]

References

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  1. ^ Samuels, Keithan (July 11, 2023). "Monica's New Single 'Letters' Debuts on Billboard". ratedrnb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Folk, Antwane (June 30, 2023). "Monica Releases New Song 'Letters'". ratedrnb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Ellington, Andre (June 30, 2023). "The Game & Monica's Steamy 'Letters' Video Sends Internet Into Frenzy". HipHopDX. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Abraham, Mya (June 30, 2023). "Tone Stith, Monica, Kenyon Dixon, And Others Issue Love Letters To R&B". Vibe.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Monica Chart History (R&B Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Inman, DeMicia (June 30, 2023). "Monica And The Game Get Cozy In "Letters" Music Video". Vibe.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  7. ^ Andaloro, Angela (June 30, 2023). "Monica's Son, 15, Reacts to Her Steamy Bathtub Scene in New Music Video with The Game: 'What Is This'". People.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "Letters – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 14, 2023.