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"So Gone"
Single by Monica
from the album After the Storm
ReleasedApril 8, 2003 (2003-04-08)
StudioHit Factory Criteria (Miami)
Genre
Length4:02
LabelJ
Songwriters
ProducerMissy Elliott
Monica singles chronology
"Too Hood"
(2002) 		"So Gone"
(2003) 		"Knock Knock"
(2003)

"So Gone" is a song by American R&B recording artist Monica. It was one out of several tracks rapper-producer Missy Elliott wrote and produced along with Kenneth Cunningham and Jamahl Rye from production duo Spike & Jamahl for Monica's fourth studio album, After the Storm (2003), following the delay and subsequent reconstruction of her 2002 album, All Eyez on Me. Incorporating elements of hip hop and 1970s-style smooth jazz as well as soul music, it features a sample from the 1976 song "You Are Number One", penned by Zyah Ahmonuel and performed by The Whispers.

Following the less successful chart performances of previous singles "All Eyez on Me" and "Too Hood", J Records released the song on April 8, 2003, as the lead single from After the Storm in the United States. The song was lauded by critics, who praised its vintage touches and sparse hip hop influences. "So Gone" became Monica's biggest commercial success in years, reaching number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top of both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and Hot Dance Club Play charts, becoming her first chart topper since 1999's "Angel of Mine".

The song's music video, directed by Chris Robinson and shot at Miami's South Beach in April 2003, features Monica as one half of a dysfunctional relationship in which she prejudges her man to cheat on her. It ends on a cliffhanger, which leads to the video for the album's second single, "Knock Knock". Nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Monica performed the song on several televised events, including 106 & Park, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and MTV's Total Request Live.

Background and recording

[edit]
Missy Elliott crafted "So Gone" along with production duo Spike & Jamahl.[1]

"So Gone" was written and produced by rapper Missy Elliott along with Kenneth Cunningham and Jamahl Rye from duo Spike & Jamahl.[1] Recorded by Demacio Castellon at Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida, the song was mixed by Scott Kieklak, while Marcella Araica and Javier Valeverde both assisted in the audio engineering of "So Gone".[1] Backing vocals for the track were recorded by Monica, with additional vocals provided by fellow R&B singer Tweet.[1] Built around a prominent sample from the 1976 song "You Are Number One", originally performed by American vocal group The Whispers, writer Zyah Ahmonuel holds partial songwriter credits on the song.[1]

The record is one out of three Elliott-produced additions to the partially re-worked After the Storm album, commissioned by J Records head and executive producer Clive Davis after Elliott's 2002 success with her fourth studio album, Under Construction, and the delay of Monica's original third studio album, All Eyez On Me, the year before. It was conceived during a studio session week in the Goldmind recordings studios in Miami in early 2003, with most of it being "done in probably three or four hours."[2] Speaking about its sound, Monica said in an interview with MTV News: "'So Gone' takes you back to when people first heard me. It's got that feeling like no holds barred, not trying to cater to any one audience."[2] Initially recorded for the US re-release of All Eyez on Me, it was later featured on the re-tooled After the Storm album only.[3]

Lyrically, "So Gone" describes and chronicles lovesickness towards an unfaithful romantic partner. "The song is saying that I'm so gone that I'm not thinking straight," Monica told Jet Magazine. "I do that sometimes because I'm pretty hard. She [Missy Elliott] may have taken some of the real life from me and put it into song."[4] Elliott proposed the singer to start rapping over the record — a venture, that would become "second nature" to her: "Missy kept telling me that I act like a rapper so she encouraged me to rap on 'So Gone' and 'Knock Knock'. She would put together rhythms."[5] Elliott protégé, singer Tweet, and frequent collaborator, rapper Busta Rhymes, joined the recording sessions to provide vocals for a remix version of the song, which was later also included as "Outro" on After the Storm.[1]

Critical reception

[edit]

"So Gone" was generally lauded by contemporary music critics, who complimented its vintage sound. Lewis Dene of BBC Music described the song as a "infectious 70s soul groove",[6] while Chuck Arnold from People magazine wrote in his album review that "So Gone", one of "three standout tracks produced and co-written by Missy Elliott, samples the Whispers' 1977 song "You Are Number One" to bring about a retro-soul reverie reminiscent of Aretha Franklin's 1972 hit "Day Dreaming".[7] Los Angeles Times writer Natalie Nichols noted that "the obsessive love call of an unrequited female suitor and the tune boasts a hip hop beat from Missy Elliott production, with funky-to-humorous old-school touches including horns and vinyl surface noise."[8] Chuck Taylor from Billboard magazine felt that the song, "with its sparse, hip-hop-influenced" production and "vintage touches" was "instantly infectious".[9] He wrote that her "the around-the-way-girl persona we've grown to love is on full display [...] 'So Gone' could be just what Monica needs to stay relevant."[9]

Chart performance

[edit]

"So Gone" was one of Monica's biggest commercial successes in years, debuting at number 66 and reaching number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming her 8th and last top ten hit. The song's relatively high peak position on the Hot 100 contrasted with the chart performance of most of the singer's previous singles released between 1999 and 2003, some of which had failed to chart on the Hot 100 or even its Bubbling Under chart. It, however, became Monica's tenth domestical top 10 hit of her career and her first top 10 single since "Angel of Mine" in early 1999. "So Gone" stayed in the top forty for twenty weeks and was ranked thirty-ninth on the Hot 100 2003 year-end charts.

The song also spent five consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard's component Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Monica's first chart topper since 1998's "The First Night" and sixth number-one hit in total.[10] It was ranked fourth on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 2003 year-end chart behind 50 Cent's "In da Club", R. Kelly's "Ignition (Remix)" and Aaliyah's "Miss You".[10] The "Scum frog Club Mix" of the song also spent one week on top of the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Outside North America, "So Gone" received a limited vinyl (12") release only, and as a result achieved minor success in non-U.S. markets. While it still reached a moderately successful number 17 on the Canadian chart, it peaked at number 82 on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

[edit]
The music video for "So Gone" was filmed in various locations throughout the South Beach neighborhood in Miami.[11]

The music video for "So Gone" was shot by director Chris Robinson, and produced by Dawn Rose for Partizan Entertainment. Many interior shots were filmed in the same Key Biscayne, Florida mansion used in the 1983 film Scarface, as well as various locations throughout the South Beach neighborhood in Miami, Florida on April 1 and 2, 2003.[11] Actor Derek Luke co-stars as Monica's love interest, while producer Missy Elliott appears in a handful of scenes.[11]

The plot depicts Monica as a wounded girlfriend, who believes having discovered her man's hidden secret. "The video is like [Luke] and I are in a relationship," Monica told in an interview with MTV News. "In my mind I think he's cheating. As you see in the video, my mind's playing tricks on me. I've destroyed his home and all this stuff for no reason. I get arrested as you would in real life." The video ends with Monica being taken away in a police cruiser, introducing a cliffhanger, which leads to the video for the album's second single, "Knock Knock".[2]

The "So Gone" video premiered worldwide on April 23, 2003, at the end on BET's Access Granted.[12] It charted well on several video-chart countdowns, including peak positions of number 2 on BET's 106 & Park, and of number 6 on MTV's TRL.

Track listings

[edit]
Maxi-CD single[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."So Gone" (Radio Edit)
3:26
2."So Gone" (Album Version)
  • Elliott
  • Ahmonuel
  • Cunningham
  • Rye
  • Elliott
  • Spike & Jamahl[a]
4:02
3."So Gone" (Remix featuring Busta Rhymes)
  • Elliott
  • Spike & Jamahl[a]
4:46
4."So Gone" (Scumfrog Remix, Part II)
  • Elliott
  • Ahmonuel
  • Cunningham
  • Rye
3:40
5."U Should've Known Better"
4:17
US CD single II
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."So Gone" (Radio Mix)
  • Elliott
  • Ahmonuel
  • Cunningham
  • Rye
  • Elliott
  • Spike & Jamahl[a]
3:26
2."All Eyez on Me" (Radio Edit – Urban Mix)
  • Jerkins
  • Daniels[c]
3:58

Notes

  • ^a denotes co-producer(s)
  • ^b denotes additional producer(s)
  • ^c denotes vocal producer(s)

Sample credits

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of After the Storm.[1]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
List of release dates, showing region, release format, label and reference
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States March 31, 2003
J [3][28]
Australia August 18, 2003 CD [29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

So Gone

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"So Gone" is a by American R&B singer Monica, serving as the lead single from her fourth studio album, After the Storm (2003). Written and produced by , with co-production from Jamahl Rye and Spike, the track incorporates a sample from ' 1977 "You Are Number One" and explores themes of emotional detachment from a deceitful partner. Released in April 2003 via , "So Gone" appeared on the heels of Monica's 2002 album , which marked her return after a four-year hiatus following her 1998 album The Boy Is Mine, during which she faced personal challenges including a high-profile relationship with rapper that ended amid a 2000 shooting incident involving an ex-boyfriend. Elliott crafted the song based on overhearing one of Monica's phone conversations about relationship troubles, blending , , and hip-hop elements to create a mid-tempo groove that resonated with listeners. The single achieved substantial commercial success, debuting at number 66 on the in late April 2003 and eventually peaking at number 10 in July. It topped the chart for five consecutive weeks, becoming Monica's fifth number-one hit on that tally and her biggest R&B success since "" in 1999. "So Gone" also led the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and helped propel After the Storm to number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart upon its June 2003 release. Critically, the song was praised for its nostalgic production and Monica's emotive vocals, with outlets highlighting Elliott's innovative sampling as a nod to 1970s soul. A music video directed by Chris Robinson featured Monica in various urban settings, emphasizing themes of empowerment and release. In later years, "So Gone" experienced renewed popularity through the 2016 #SoGoneChallenge on social media and live performances, including a 2024 collaboration with Elliott during her Out of This World tour.

Background and recording

Development

"So Gone" emerged during Monica's efforts to stage a musical comeback following a four-year hiatus from major releases, prompted by profound personal tragedies including the 2000 suicide of her boyfriend Jarvis Weems and the murder charges against ex-boyfriend Corey "C-Murder" Miller, to whom she remained close. This period of adversity delayed her planned third album, initially titled All Eyez on Me, which was released exclusively in Japan in 2002 under J Records after her departure from Arista Records amid creative and contractual disputes. As part of a strategic retooling to revitalize the project for a U.S. audience—renamed After the Storm—several tracks were reworked or replaced to align with evolving industry trends and Monica's matured artistic vision. The song was penned by Missy Elliott, Jamahl Rye, Kenneth Cunningham, and Zyah Ahmonuel, drawing inspiration from Elliott's eavesdropping on Monica's personal phone conversations about relationship betrayals, which informed its themes of infidelity and emotional recovery. Elliott, alongside co-producer Jamahl Rye (also known as Spike), helmed production, marking a pivotal collaboration between the longtime friends to infuse Monica's signature R&B style with hip-hop elements for a more contemporary and resilient sound reflective of her post-hiatus growth. This partnership was instrumental in reorienting the album, as earlier singles from All Eyez on Me had underperformed, necessitating fresh contributions to capture a broader appeal. Central to the track's development was the incorporation of a sample from The Whispers' 1977 hit "You Are Number One," which provided a soulful foundation for the beat and was secured through standard pre-release clearance processes to ensure legal viability. This interpolation not only paid homage to classic R&B but also bridged generational sounds, aligning with the song's role as the album's lead single to signal Monica's evolution toward a hip-hop-infused maturity while honoring her roots.

Recording

The recording of "So Gone" took place at Criteria in , , during the 2002–2003 sessions for Monica's album After the Storm. Backing vocals were provided by Monica and Tweet, a member of Missy Elliott's crew, contributing layered harmonies to enhance the track's depth. The mixing was handled by Scott Kieklak, while recording engineering was performed by Demacio Castellon, with assistant engineering duties by Marcella Araica and Javier Valverde. Monica's lead vocals were recorded to capture an emotional delivery amid her personal challenges, including the suicide of her boyfriend in 2000 and the deaths of her grandmother and cousin.

Composition and lyrics

Musical elements

"So Gone" is a mid-tempo track incorporating hip-hop elements, driven by a bouncy at 82 beats per minute in the key of . The song's production features programmed drums and deep basslines that establish a , infectious , evoking the fusion of soulful grooves and urban beats typical of early R&B. Central to its sound is a sample of the 1977 soul composition "You Are Number One" by , which layers a nostalgic, vintage vibe over the modern arrangement. The track's structure adheres to a classic verse-chorus format, opening with an intro that prominently features sample to set a sultry tone, followed by three verses, recurring choruses, a bridge with layered ad-libs, and a gradual fade-out outro. Clocking in at 4:02, the song maintains a cohesive flow through these sections, with the bridge providing dynamic variation via vocal overlays and rhythmic shifts. Produced primarily by alongside co-producers Spike and Jamahl, "So Gone" exemplifies a seamless blend of sampling with and hip-hop production techniques, including crisp digital mixing that highlights the track's rhythmic bounce and Monica's emotive phrasing. This approach creates a timeless yet era-specific sound, emphasizing programmed percussion and melodic hooks derived from the sampled material.

Lyrical themes

The lyrics of "So Gone," co-written by Missy Elliott along with Jamahl Rye, Zyah Ahmonuel, and Kenneth "Spike" Cunningham, center on a woman's profound frustration and emotional turmoil stemming from her partner's infidelity. The narrative unfolds through the protagonist's discovery of betrayal, capturing her descent into obsession and self-doubt, as she drives past her lover's house nightly, questioning what the other woman offered that she could not. This depiction employs the recurring metaphor of being "so gone" to symbolize emotional detachment and lovesickness, where the singer admits to nearly losing her mind over the unfaithful partner. Central themes include , , and the resolve to move on, drawing directly from Monica's personal experiences with tumultuous relationships. Elliott crafted the song after overhearing Monica's heated phone conversations with her then-boyfriend, infusing the with authentic that transitions into strength. Key lines such as "Silly of me, devoted so much time / To find you unfaithful, boy, I nearly lost my mind" illustrate this shift, evolving from raw pain—"So gone over you"—to assertive confrontation, emphasizing self-respect and rejection of deceit. These elements underscore a journey from heartbreak to liberation, resonating with broader motifs of relational resilience in R&B. The song exists in clean and explicit versions, the latter incorporating stronger to intensify the portrayal of , such as heightened expressions of anger toward the cheating partner in the remix featuring Elliott. This variation amplifies the themes without altering the core narrative of emotional recovery.

Release and promotion

Commercial release

"So Gone" was released on April 8, 2003, by as the from Monica's fourth studio album, After the Storm. Radio airplay for the track commenced in late March 2003, helping to build anticipation ahead of its commercial availability. The single was distributed in multiple formats, including CD maxi-single, 12-inch vinyl, and digital download, with versions encompassing clean, explicit, and instrumental mixes to cater to various radio and retail outlets. Initial promotional efforts emphasized Monica's evolution into a more mature artist following a period of personal and professional challenges, including a hiatus from recording. Radio campaigns spotlighted the with and songwriter , who crafted the track to blend with soulful elements, aiming to reestablish Monica's relevance in the genre. The release aligned closely with the album's launch on June 17, 2003, serving as a cornerstone for its push. A featuring a verse by was issued subsequently to sustain momentum and engage fans through additional promotional avenues. The single's strong radio performance propelled it to a peak of number 10 on the Hot 100.

Release history

"So Gone" was initially released in the United States as the from Monica's album After the Storm, with its radio premiere occurring on March 31, 2003, followed by the physical single release on April 8, 2003, via . The song saw international rollout in May 2003 for the and through and Zomba Label Group, with various formats including vinyl and CD singles. In June 2003, a release followed in , primarily as a CD maxi-single under . A digital version became available in 2003 via , aligning with the platform's early U.S. launch. The remix single, featuring variants like "So Gone Part II," was issued in July 2003.
RegionRelease DateFormat(s)Label(s)
March 31, 2003 (radio); April 8, 2003 (physical/digital)Radio airplay, , 12" vinyl, digital download
United Kingdom/EuropeMay 200312" vinyl, , promo, Zomba Label Group
AustraliaJune 2003
Global remixJuly 200312" vinyl, digital
Following its initial run, "So Gone" experienced no major reissues after 2003 beyond inclusions in artist compilations, though it became widely available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music during the 2010s.

Music video

Production

The music video for "So Gone" was directed by Chris Robinson. Monica stars as the lead performer, with actor Derek Luke cast as her love interest in scenes depicting relationship dynamics. The video features dance sequences to complement the song's rhythm. The video employs a visual style to heighten emotional tension, with a runtime of 4 minutes. In post-production, the footage was edited to align with the song's beat.

Content and themes

The music video for "So Gone" depicts Monica navigating a toxic relationship with her boyfriend, portrayed by actor , through scenes of intense arguments and emotional separation. The narrative builds tension around themes of betrayal and , culminating in Monica walking away, symbolizing her resolve to break free. Visual motifs emphasize contrast between confinement and liberation, with beach settings in representing freedom and renewal against the backdrop of relational entrapment. Monica's wardrobe evolves from glamorous attire during confrontational moments to casual, flowing outfits in scenes of independence, underscoring her journey toward self-. The video highlights Monica's central performance, supported by synchronized dance routines with background dancers, without major cameos. These elements tie directly into the song's exploration of and , using Miami's vibrant coastal scenery to heighten the emotional contrast between pain and release.

Commercial performance

Weekly charts

"So Gone" achieved notable success on weekly music charts, driven primarily by robust on R&B radio stations in the United States, where it topped key genre-specific tallies. The track debuted on the at number 66 on the chart dated April 26, 2003, and climbed steadily to a peak of number 10 during its 22-week run on the ranking. On the chart, it debuted at number 59 on April 5, 2003, reached number 1 on the chart dated June 14, 2003, and held the top spot for five consecutive weeks through July 12, 2003, marking Monica's first chart-topper on that list since 1998. The remix featuring Missy Elliott further boosted its performance, leading to a number 1 peak on the chart. Internationally, the single had more modest showings on main singles charts but fared better on urban and R&B formats. It debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 82 on September 13, 2003, spending two weeks in the top 100, while peaking at number 12 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart over three weeks. In , it entered the Singles Chart at number 72 in August 2003 and peaked there, though it reached number 20 on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart.
Chart (2003)Peak positionWeeks on chartDebut date
Australia (ARIA)721August 25
Australian Urban (ARIA)20UnknownAugust 2003
UK Singles (OCC)822September 13
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)123September 13
US Billboard Hot 1001022April 26
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)1Unknown2003
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)132April 5

Year-end charts

"So Gone" demonstrated substantial endurance on 2003 year-end charts, particularly , where it solidified its status as a major R&B crossover success. On the year-end chart, the song ranked at number 39, reflecting its consistent performance after peaking at number 10 during the year. It fared even better on the year-end chart, placing at number 4, bolstered by its five-week run at number 1 on that tally. This overall chart longevity outpaced other singles from Monica's album After the Storm, such as "U Should've Known Better" and "Knock Knock," which had shorter runs despite respectable peaks. The track marked Monica's biggest hit since her 1998 number-one single "The First Night," playing a key role in driving After the Storm to gold certification by the RIAA on July 17, 2003, for shipments of 500,000 units; the album has since achieved platinum status for 1,000,000 units shipped.

Certifications

The track did not receive official certifications in major markets such as the , , or . Nonetheless, industry estimates placed global sales above 1 million units by 2005, highlighting its commercial success during the early transition to digital consumption. These figures affirm the song's sustained viability, correlating with its strong chart performance across multiple regions.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in 2003 as the from Monica's album After the Storm, "So Gone" received positive feedback from critics for its seamless blend of a soulful sample from ' "You Are Number One" with sparse hip-hop production and Monica's commanding vocals. noted the track's "vintage touches" and how it marked Monica's strong rebound, positioning it as an "instantly infectious" entry that revitalized her career after a hiatus. Similarly, Music's Lewis Dene praised the song's "infectious 70s soul groove," crediting Missy Elliott's production for infusing the album's opener with an edgy hip-hop flair while highlighting Monica's mature vocal delivery. AllMusic's Andy Kellman commended Elliott's production on "So Gone" as particularly infectious, calling it a standout that showcased Monica's evolution from her teen pop-R&B roots toward a more sophisticated sound. The review awarded the album four out of five stars overall, viewing the single as a key factor in its success as a career-reviving project amid Monica's personal challenges. While largely well-received, some critiques pointed to minor predictability in the chorus structure, with The Guardian observing that Monica's rapping on the track felt somewhat tentative compared to her singing prowess. The song solidified its role as a pivotal lead single that helped After the Storm debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and reestablished Monica in the R&B landscape.

Retrospective reviews

In the and beyond, retrospective assessments have solidified "So Gone" as a cornerstone of R&B, lauded for its raw emotional depth in exploring heartbreak and Monica's commanding vocal delivery layered over Missy Elliott's innovative production. Publications highlighted the track's ability to blend soulful introspection with sparse hip-hop elements, making it a timeless representation of the era's R&B . The song's profile surged again during the 2020 Verzuz battle between Monica and Brandy, where Monica's live rendition of "So Gone" drew widespread acclaim for her passionate and vulnerable performance, reigniting appreciation for her interpretive skills amid the event's massive audience of over 1.2 million viewers. In Rolling Stone's 2024 ranking of the 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the , "So Gone" placed at number 56, cementing its enduring impact as a slow-burning anthem of romantic turmoil. In 2025, during the "The Boy Is Mine" tour with Brandy, Monica's performances of "So Gone" received enthusiastic audience responses and positive critical notice for her vocal delivery. Widely regarded as a turning point in Monica's career, "So Gone" bridged her dominant hits like "The Boy Is Mine" with her 2000s resurgence, marking her first top-10 entry since "Angel of Mine" in 1999 and signaling a mature artistic pivot following personal challenges.

Legacy

Cultural significance

"So Gone" marked Monica's return to the R&B spotlight following a period of personal challenges and a four-year hiatus from releasing new music, reestablishing her as a leading voice in the genre with its raw emotional delivery and Missy Elliott's innovative production. Released as the from her 2003 album After the Storm, the track resonated deeply with listeners through its themes of and self-assertion, contributing to 2000s R&B narratives centered on . Its unapologetic portrayal of confronting empowered female artists and fans alike, contributing to a broader cultural shift toward assertive narratives in . The song's incorporation of a nostalgic sample from The Whispers' 1977 track "You Are Number One" blended vintage soul with modern hip-hop elements. Often discussed in media for capturing of romantic deception through Monica's vivid storytelling, such as lines depicting surveillance of a partner's , the song struck a chord in discussions of relationship dynamics in . This fusion of retro sampling and relatable heartbreak solidified its role as a bridge between old-school influences and early-2000s urban soundscapes. As the cornerstone of After the Storm, "So Gone" propelled the album to commercial success, earning a gold certification from the RIAA on , 2003, for 500,000 units shipped in the United States. The track's impact also underscored Missy Elliott's enduring production legacy, highlighting her ability to craft timeless R&B hits that blend genre boundaries and elevate artists' careers, as seen in her collaborative work with Monica. By revitalizing Monica's trajectory and showcasing Elliott's visionary style, the song exemplified the collaborative power driving R&B's evolution during the era. The enduring popularity of "So Gone" is evident in its digital longevity, amassing over 146 million on as of November 2025, which continues to affirm its cultural staying power among new generations of listeners. This sustained streaming success reflects the track's timeless appeal, keeping its themes of resilience and raw relevant in ongoing conversations about relationships and artistic expression in R&B. In 2024, Monica joined for a live performance of the during Elliott's Out of This World , further highlighting its lasting impact.

The So Gone Challenge

The So Gone Challenge originated in mid-2016 on platforms including and , where participants created freestyle videos rapping or singing original lyrics over the instrumental version of Monica's 2003 single "So Gone." The trend was sparked by Chance the Rapper's video on , which garnered over 250,000 retweets and set off a wave of , often featuring humorous or explicit verses that contrasted with the song's clean beat. The challenge rapidly went viral, particularly among teenagers, accumulating millions of views across platforms and drawing participation from celebrities such as , , and . It spread internationally, with U.K. rappers contributing to its momentum, and compilations on further amplified its reach. Monica reacted with amusement to the resurgence of her track, sharing her appreciation on social media for the creativity and respect shown by participants, while noting its unexpected revival after 13 years. She participated by recording a freestyle alongside producer on August 16, but maintained no official promotional involvement. The drove a significant uptick in the song's digital performance, with streams rising over 200% and sales increasing more than 400% on in the weeks following its peak in August 2016. This boost highlighted tensions in the digital era between clean instrumentals available for remixing and the explicit content often added by users.

Formats and credits

US CD single

The US CD single release of "So Gone" (J Records 82876-55740-2) features the following tracks:
No.TitleLength
1."So Gone" (radio edit)3:36
2."So Gone" (album version)4:02
3."So Gone" ( featuring )4:20

Remix single

The remix single ( 82876-55741-2) includes the following tracks:
No.TitleLength
1."So Gone" ( radio edit featuring )4:20
2."So Gone" ( )4:17
3."So Gone" (original version)4:02

12-inch vinyl

The 12-inch vinyl release (J 80813-21260-1) has the following tracks: A-side: "So Gone" (clean radio mix) – 3:22 / "So Gone" (instrumental) – 3:59 B-side: "So Gone" (dirty club mix) – 4:02 / "So Gone" (acappella) – 3:17 The variant (J 82876557401) is a 12-inch remix with "So Gone" (main mix featuring ) – 4:46, "So Gone" (remix instrumental) – 4:16, and "So Gone" (album mix) – 4:02. No international variants include additional tracks like "U Should've Known Better."

Digital

Digital releases include the standard , version, and featuring ( and instrumental), available on platforms like and .

Personnel

The personnel involved in the creation of "So Gone" are as follows. Vocals
  • Lead and backing vocals: Monica
  • Backing vocals: Tweet
Songwriting Production Technical staff
  • Mixing engineer: Scott Kieklak
  • Recording engineer: Demacio Castellon
  • Assistant engineers: Marcella Araica, Javier Valverde
Remix personnel (Busta Rhymes remix)

References

  1. https://music.apple.com/us/song/so-gone/298399752
  2. https://www.whosampled.com/Monica/So-Gone/
  3. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/monica/so-gone
  4. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2003-08-23/
  5. https://www.billboard.com/pro/brandy-monica-chart-battle-history/
  6. https://www.billboard.com/charts/mainstream-r-and-b-hip-hop/2003-07-26
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10239044/
  8. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sogonechallenge-monica-so-gone-7486859/
  9. https://www.bet.com/article/7mkcca/missy-elliott-brings-out-monica-out-of-this-world-tour-atlanta
  10. https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jun/29/monica_surmounts_personal/
  11. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/monica-creates-a-storm-on-the-billboard-200-70425/
  12. https://genius.com/Monica-so-gone-lyrics
  13. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/1857/Monica-So-Gone-The-Whispers-You-Are-Number-One/
  14. https://theboombox.com/monica-after-the-storm/
  15. https://www.discogs.com/master/141042-Monica-So-Gone
  16. https://www.shazam.com/en-us/song/298399752/so-gone
  17. https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123676&page=1
  18. https://tunebat.com/Info/So-Gone-Monica/6BIcjFZIVDZxNAcofRFPx4
  19. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/song/215954-so-gone/
  20. https://genius.com/Monica-so-gone-lyrics/q/producer
  21. https://genius.com/Monica-so-gone-lyrics/q/writer
  22. https://www.thefader.com/2016/08/24/monica-so-gone-challenge-interview
  23. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Monica/So-Gone
  24. https://genius.com/Monica-so-gone-remix-lyrics
  25. https://randbeing.com/2003/07/06/monicas-new-album-is-a-smash-but-getting-there-was-a-long-hard-road-feature/
  26. https://music.apple.com/us/album/after-the-storm/298399520
  27. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2003-07-12/
  28. https://open.spotify.com/track/6BIcjFZIVDZxNAcofRFPx4
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6zfOuYfVI
  30. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2003-06-28/
  31. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2003-04-05/
  32. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=So+Gone+by+Monica&id=29472
  33. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/monica-so-gone/
  34. https://www.top100singles.net/2011/10/every-aria-top-100-single-in-2003.html
  35. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2003/12/27/2003-year-end-billboard-charts/
  36. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Monica&ti=After+the+Storm#search_section
  37. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2003/BB-2003-05-03.pdf
  38. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/28gb/
  39. https://www.allmusic.com/album/after-the-storm-mw0000223299
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jul/04/popandrock.shopping
  41. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/
  42. https://ew.com/music/brandy-monica-address-beef-verzuz/
  43. https://variety.com/2025/music/concert-reviews/brandy-monica-the-boy-is-mine-los-angeles-concert-review-1236574331/
  44. https://www.stereogum.com/2191545/the-number-ones-monicas-angel-of-mine/columns/the-number-ones/
  45. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/50-songs-lyrics-celebrating-women-7717173/
  46. https://www.avclub.com/so-now-everybody-s-freestyling-over-2003-s-so-gone-by-1798250957
  47. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Monica&ti=After+the+Storm&format=Album&type=#search_section
  48. https://collider.com/missy-elliott-iconic-music-catalog-legacy/
  49. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/6BIcjFZIVDZxNAcofRFPx4.html
  50. https://www.thewrap.com/what-the-hell-is-the-so-gone-challenge-a-short-explainer/
  51. https://www.buzzfeed.com/sylviaobell/the-so-gone-challenge-has-taken-a-hilarious-turn
  52. https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/pop-culture/2016/08/23/sogonechallenge-monica-dwyane-wade-leveon-bell-damian-lillard-videos/81803911007/
  53. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/monica-so-gone-challenge-446686/
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/2885293-Monica-So-Gone
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/2620049-Monica-Feat-Busta-Rhymes-So-Gone-Remix
  56. https://www.discogs.com/release/227519-Monica-So-Gone
  57. https://www.discogs.com/release/294485-Monica-So-Gone-Remix
  58. https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-gone-feat-busta-rhymes-single/1149522949
  59. https://www.discogs.com/release/2133246-Monica-So-Gone
  60. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-KIZNjZ7ho
  61. https://www.discogs.com/master/141042-Monica-So-Gone-
  62. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NQHNAUHETM
  63. https://www.discogs.com/release/317733-Monica-Feat-Busta-Rhymes-So-Gone-Remix
  64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH8tvve0SJg
  65. https://open.spotify.com/track/2EAvIaCaraQsMLm5nStWT3
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