We’ve all heard the phrase “New York Strong”—and Monique Nikkole is the embodiment of that spirit. A Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, honorary doctorate recipient, and a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, she is also an accomplished marathon runner, real estate investor, owner of a lifestyle and fitness brand, concert promoter, and the founder of her own music imprint. Monique Nikkole’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless ambition. She’s more than just a singer-songwriter—she’s an artist, a businesswoman, and an unstoppable force. Simply put, Monique is an enterprise. Now, Monique is working on her next EP, Enigmatic, set for release this year, which will feature her singles “Red Bottoms & Lingerie,” “Queen of the Hustle,” “If What I Feel Is Real,” and “We Are One”—all under her CoCo Tunes Publishing INC label. Hot off the heels of her inclusion on a top-charting compilation The Light Show (Top 25 on the Billboard Compilation Albums Chart, Top 5 on Amazon, Top 5 on iTunes), Nikkole has announced her video “We Are One,” arriving this February.
On the new video, Nikkole reveals, “I don’t know what it is about this song, but this rollout tested me! This video is truly a labor of love. I hadn’t skated in years and forgot one key detail—thick socks for stability. An hour later? I fell flat on my face, injuring my nose and mouth 
She continues, “Choreography isn’t my strong suit, but I showed up, pushed through, and had fun doing it. It’s been a wild ride, but we made it happen! Now get ready to step to the left, step to the right…It’s going DOWN!”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Monique always dreamed of being an entertainer. However, her parents encouraged her to pursue a more traditional and stable career path. Her father, a former musician who later retired as a Lieutenant with the FDNY, warned her about the heartbreak and deceit often found in the music industry. Respecting their advice, Monique pursued education first, earning her Bachelor’s degree and beginning a career in law enforcement. She went on to serve with the Nassau County Police Department and rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant before retiring in April 2021.
“Although I was totally committed to my civil service career, my heart stayed in entertainment,” says Monique. “I found many opportunities to get on stage and sing—including performing the National Anthem and paid gigs. I always knew one day I would pursue music full-time.”
During her law enforcement career, Monique didn’t just dream—she prepared. She opened her own recording studios, started a music management company, launched a film company, and created her current imprint, CoCo Tunes Publishing INC. She also founded a successful concert promotions company, organizing tours throughout the New York Tri-State area. This platform also allowed her to take the stage as an opening act, gaining invaluable experience and building industry relationships.
“I believe in working hard and creating my own opportunities,” she says—and she has.
Her persistence paid off. Monique has performed at renowned venues across New York, including SOB’s, the WBLS Circle of Sisters Expo at the Jacob Javits Center, and recently, City Winery Atlanta. She has shared stages with R&B powerhouses such as Deborah Cox, Estelle, Melanie Fiona, Tank, and Sevyn Streeter.
Under her own label, Monique released her debut single “Say Yes”—a smooth, melodic R&B track that received national and international radio play, including airplay on New York’s WBLS. The single earned her iHeart Radio’s “Artist of the Month” for three consecutive months.
Following that success, she released the mixtape Monique Nikkole: Straight From The Crates, a blend of 80s R&B and old-school hip-hop. Her holiday EP, “Monique Nikkole Christmas,” offered nostalgic and festive tracks sure to be holiday playlist staples for years to come.
In 2021, she took things up a notch with the release of “Red Bottoms and Lingerie,” a bold, club-ready hip-hop/R&B track featuring Houston rapper Lil Flip. The song, paired with a provocative video and dance version, became her most successful single to date—receiving airplay on BET, MTV, Music Choice, and numerous radio and streaming platforms. Monique just launched her show Ear Candy, which will be airing soon on WTSX, WPYT, and 103.7 Da Beat and covered the Stellar Awards through her new radio show.
The single“Queen of the Hustle” became an instant anthem for women’s empowerment. Praised for her powerhouse vocals and strong messaging, the track climbed to #7 on the iTunes chartand #21 on Spotify, and has been Shazammed over 10,000 times. The music video has been featured on Revolt TV and multiple major playlists. The track caught the attention of media outlets like Hot 97 and The Hype Magazine, who dubbed it the “new women’s anthem.”
Stay tuned as Monique Nikkole continues to make waves as an entrepreneur and songwriter when Enigmatic in the coming months!
Follow Monique Nikkole Online:
Website: http://www.MoniqueNikkole.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/moniquenikkole
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moniquenikkolemusic7816
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@moniquenikkole41
Facebook: https://facebook.com/MoniqueNikkole
X: https://x.com/moniquenikkole
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hvN3GPtJQnI6I6gKR0lg
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