Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but raised in Harlem, N.Y., Mashonda's vocal coaching began at the tender age of 7, in church, where most legendary voices are honed. Urged by her godmother, who saw in her a precocious love for music, Mashonda dedicated a substantial amount of her time as a teen to piano lessons and poetry writing. She gained some exposure in high school from joining a few different singing groups, but it wasn't until a meeting with renowned hip hop/R&B writing team Full Force (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears) that her music career truly took off. Under Full Force's tutelage, Mashonda co-wrote songs for artists Yvette Michelle and Monifah, which, in turn, led to a publishing deal. Soon after, the budding singer/songwriter partnered with rapper Lady May to form Desert Rose, and signed a short-lived deal with Deric "D Dot" Angeletti's Crazy Cat/Columbia Records. The duo split from the label before releasing an album, and Mashonda soon realized her destiny was to go her own way, much like her idols Mary J. Blige, Sade, Faith Evans, and Toni Braxton.
In 1998, one of hip-hop's most influential beatmakers, Swizz Beatz, recognized Mashonda's talent and took her under his wing, giving her the opportunity to write some of the catchiest hooks in recent urban music history (Eve's "Gotta Man;" Jay-Z's "Girl's Best Friend"). He also featured her on chart-topping hits like Mya's "Best Of Me" and Cassidy's "Get No Better." The key to their relationship? The most fundamental of elements: chemistry-both personal and professional. "We were able to create a very distinct sound," says Mashonda. "He made gritty tracks and I would get on them and make them pretty, bringing out the melodies. Once we did that, everybody wanted one of those. So that's where it all started." Ever since, the two have been conceptualizing January Joy, her long-awaited debut on Swizz Beatz's Full Surface/J Records imprint.
January Joy is a perfectionist's work of art mélange of up-tempos, mid-tempos, and ballads that marry hip-hop's street tendencies with R&B's softer sensibilities. "I didn't have a timeline or deadline, so I was really able to get into it and be extra picky with every track and every lyric that I wrote," says Mashonda.
The lead single, "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg, is a bouncy, dance floor-rattling track in pure Swizz Beatz tradition (hard drums, bass, whistles). And that's just a sneak preview of January Joy's star power. Expect additional cameos by hip hop heavyweights like Kanye West ("Hold Me") and Jadakiss ("Leave The Block Alone"). Rounding the album out on the R&B production tip are Mike City and Raphael Saadiq, among others.
"January to me is the genesis of music for myself and for all my listeners," says Mashonda of the album's title. "It's the first month of the year and it's when everyone makes their resolutions. It's a fresh start, a new feeling, and that's what my music is. I'm also a January baby," she adds with a smile. Here's to new beginnings, and re-introductions.
Her debut album, January Joy, was released in Japan only. Scheduled for a U.S. release in early 2005, the project was postponed, due to a lack of strong radio response to her first two singles, "Back of The Club" and "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg. Mashonda is currently in the studio, working with A-List producers. Confirmed producers on the project are Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and Rich Harrison.
She is married to famed hip hop and R&B producer Swizz Beatz. On a statement released to SOHH http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9964 on October 11,2006 Swizz Beatz and his wife Mashonda are have their first child together.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashonda
It's OK
Mashonda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh
Here we are again
Cuz we won't leave, I don't wanna go,you don't wanna leave
For once let's be honest
To what we're feeling, is more than just sex babe(yeah)
Don't rush please stay(please stay)
Cuz even though we say we're gonna be just friends(come on,uh)
Bring everything else to an(end and)
(come on)
When I see you,(I see)you see me(you see)things get deep, our hearts meet
You gotta know(know)
[chorus:]
It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on the drink
It's ok(it's ok)
I'm missing you, you missing me
It's ok(whoa,whoa, ooh whao whao, yeah)
We broke up, but still in love
It happens
It's ok
(whoa)It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on your friends
It's ok
(whoa) You wanna know, where I been(you wanna know where I been)
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens
It's ok
[Verse 2:]
Here we are again
Cuz we gotta be, underneath you
Holdng me
This ain't no type of flame
It's the real thing, to people in love
Crazy in love(so please wait)
[Hook:]
Cuz even though we say we're gonna be just friends
Bring everything else to an(end and)
When I see you(I see)you see me(you see)things get deep,our hearts meet
You gotta know(know)
[chorus:]
It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on the drink
It's ok(whoa whoa, whoa)
I'm missing you, you missing me
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens(it happens)
It's ok(it's ok)
It's ok
You dont have, to blame it on your friends(oh no)
It's ok(whoa)
You wanna know, where I been(you wanna know where I been)
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens(it happens)
It's ok(it's ok)
Whoa
Yeah
In the first verse of Mashonda's song "It's OK," she acknowledges the complicated nature of her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. They can't seem to leave each other alone despite their past break up. Mashonda appeals to her ex to be honest about their feelings and to stay with her for a while longer, suggesting that their connection goes beyond physical attraction.
The chorus of the song is a reassurance that Mashonda's ex shouldn't feel ashamed about wanting to be with her again. They can't help missing each other and being in love, and that's okay. Mashonda tells him that there's no need to blame their emotions on external factors like drinks or friends. The two of them are simply meant to be together, even if they've had their struggles in the past.
In the second verse, Mashonda goes into more detail about the intense feelings she has for her ex. She describes their physical intimacy as something deeper than just a casual fling. Mashonda insists that their love for each other is genuine and that they should wait for the right time to be together again.
Overall, "It's OK" is a vulnerable and honest exploration of a relationship that has its ups and downs. Mashonda acknowledges the complicated emotions that come with loving someone, even when things don't always work out in the way we hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh
Exclamation to begin the song
Here we are again
Explicitly expressing the recurring situation of meeting with the ex
Cuz we won't leave, I don't wanna go,you don't wanna leave
Acknowledging that both of them don't want to leave as the chemistry and emotions are still present
For once let's be honest
Suggesting being truthful instead of avoiding or denying the feelings
To what we're feeling, is more than just sex babe(yeah)
Confirming that the feelings are beyond just physical intimacy
Don't rush please stay(please stay)
Requesting the other person to stay and not to rush things
Cuz even though we say we're gonna be just friends(come on,uh)
Conceding that the situation of breaking up and being friends that was initially agreed upon is not relevant anymore
Bring everything else to an(end and)
Suggesting that they should move in together again and accept everything that comes with it
When I see you,(I see)you see me(you see)things get deep, our hearts meet
Admitting that the mere sight of each other brings out their true feelings and touches their hearts
You gotta know(know)
Stressing on the importance of acceptance and understanding the current situation
It's ok
Reiterating that everything will be okay despite breaking up and getting back together
You don't have, to blame it on the drink
Encouraging the other person to be honest and not to use alcohol as an excuse for getting emotional
I'm missing you, you missing me
Expressing the feeling of missing each other's presence
We broke up, but still in love
Acknowledging the paradoxical situation of breaking up but still being in love
It happens
Encapsulating the idea that sometimes things happen beyond our control
You wanna know, where I been(you wanna know where I been)
Assuming the possibility of mistrust due to their past and conveying that it is alright to know about each other's whereabouts in the present
You dont have, to blame it on your friends(oh no)
Asserting that the other person's friends are not responsible for what is happening between them
We broke up, but still in love
Repeating the irony of the situation but looking past it to sustain the love
It's ok(it's ok)
Affirming that everything is alright despite the complications
Whoa
Yeah
Emphasizing the positive outlook and moving forward with the love that still exists between them.
Contributed by Sydney T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Coco_Virginia
Verse 1:]
Uh
Here we are again
Cuz we won't leave, I don't wanna go,you don't wanna leave
For once let's be honest
To what we're feeling, is more than just sex babe(yeah)
Don't rush please stay(please stay)
[Hook:]
Cuz even though we say we're gonna be just friends(come on,uh)
Bring everything else to an(end) and
(come on)
When I see you,(I see)you see me(you see)things get deep, our hearts meet
You gotta know(know)
[Chorus:]
It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on the drink
It's ok(it's ok)
I'm missing you, you missing me
It's ok(whoa,whoa, ooh whao whao, yeah)
We broke up, but still in love
It happens
It's ok
(whoa)It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on your friends
It's ok
(whoa) You wanna know, where I been(you wanna know where I been)
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens It's Ok
Verse 2:]
Here we are again
Cuz we gotta be, underneath you
Holdng me
This ain't no type of flame
It's the real thing, to people in love
Crazy in love(so please wait)
[Hook:]
Cuz even though we say we're gonna be just friends
Bring everything else to an(end and)
When I see you(I see)you see me(you see)things get deep,our hearts meet
You gotta know(know)
[Chorus:]
It's ok
You don't have, to blame it on the drink
It's ok(whoa whoa, whoa)
I'm missing you, you missing
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens(it happens)
It's ok(it's ok)
It's ok
You dont have, to blame it on your friends(oh no)
It's ok(whoa)
You wanna know, where I been(you wanna know where I been)
It's ok
We broke up, but still in love
It happens(it happens)
It's ok(it's ok)
Whoa
Yeah