The Makings of Me is the fifth studio album by American singer Monica. It was released by J Records on October 3, 2006 in the United States. Built upon the hip hop, gospel and modern quiet storm styles of its predecessor, After the Storm (2003), Monica envisioned her follow-up project to sound as close knit and intimate as her previous project. Consequently, she enlisted frequent collaborators Missy Elliott, Bryan Michael Cox, and Jermaine Dupri to work with her on the album, with the latter serving as its executive producer, as well as new partners such as The Underdogs, Tank, The Runners, LRoc, Swizz Beatz, and Sean Garrett.

The album was released to mostly positive reception from music critics, who applauded Monicas's vocal performances and cited the album a solid addition to her catalogue. Criticism mainly targeted the trendchasing character of snap-influenced lead single "Everytime tha Beat Drop", as well as the album's occasionally unremarkable production. The Makings of Me debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart—becoming her first album to do so, with first week sales of 93,000 copies. As of 2010 the album has sold 328,000 copies, according to Billboard.

The Makings of Me produced four commercial singles, with "Everytime tha Beat Drop", a collaboration with rap group Dem Franchize Boyz, becoming the album's only entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles such as "A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)" and "Sideline Ho" failed to chart on the Hot 100 or sell noticeably on any other chart. Disappointed by its performance, Monica later expressed her discontent of the album's promotional campaign. The Makings of Me earned a Soul Train Music Award nomination in the Best R&B/Soul Album – Female category and was reissued in April 2007, featuring free ringtones for "The First Night", a free cellphone wallpaper, and a blow-in card was sold by Walmart.