In 1998, Mashonda signed a publishing deal with Warner Chapel Music. She subsequently wrote for singer
Monifah and worked with
Full Force. The following year, she signed a
recording contract with
Columbia Records. In 1999, she was featured on American rapper
Jay-Z's single "
Girl's Best Friend", for the
soundtrack to the film Blue Streak. The song, produced by
Swizz Beatz, was also included as a
hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth studio album
Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999). Mashonda's vocals also featured on American rapper
Eve's song "Gotta Man", produced by Beatz, from her debut studio album ''
Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady'' (1999). Mashonda went on to make
guest appearances on American rapper
Cassidy's "Get No Better", produced by Beatz, from his album
Split Personality (2004), American rapper
Fat Joe's Beatz-produced song "Listen Baby", from his 2005 album
All or Nothing and guest appeared on
Triple Seis' debut studio album Only Time'll Tell, featuring on the song "Skully". Mashonda's debut album
January Joy, produced by Beatz,
Kanye West, and
Raphael Saadiq, was released in November 2005 in Japan. The album was supported by two singles, co-written by Beatz: "
Back of da Club", featuring Beatz, and "Blackout" featuring
Snoop Dogg. In March 2009, she released a
mixtape titled
The Renovation Series.. Mashonda took time off from her music career to raise her son. ==Other ventures==