Monica Returns with New Single ‘Trenches’ Featuring Lil Baby

Ahead of tonight’s highly-anticipated Verzuz showdown with Brandy, Monica returns with new music.

For the first time in her 25-year career, the R&B icon teams up with the legendary Neptunes on her new single “Trenches” featuring ATL’s own Lil Baby. On the title track from her upcoming album, Monica separates the real from the fake while repping “gang gang.”

“Baby, when the hype get cold / Superficial people in your life get ghost,” she sings, while Baby keeps it 100 on his closing verse. “I’ll go down in history being real / Never square / Never played the victim and I probably never will / I just wish that you was here.”

Taking to Instagram, Monica reflected on her long-awaited collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. “For MANY years I’ve dreamed of working with The Neptune’s,” she said. “Admiring their ability to remain current yet timeless as well as their bond & brotherhood because loyalty is fleeting in this business !!”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Monica’s debut album Miss Thang. She is now readying her 9th studio album Trenches, her first since 2005’s Code Red, which will mark a return to her roots.

“Smiling from the inside out !!!! I can’t wait for y’all to hear my music !!!” said Monica. “It may be more truth than some can handle LOL… The old me definitely payed the booth a visit!!”

Monica and Brandy will celebrate their storied careers during tonight’s Verzuz, streaming live on Apple Music and Instagram starting at 8 p.m. EST.