Monique Nikkole: The Many Faces of a Modern Powerhouse

“New York Strong” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a living, breathing force embodied by Monique Nikkole. A Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter with an honorary doctorate and a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Monique’s résumé spans far beyond music. She’s a marathon runner, real estate investor, lifestyle and fitness entrepreneur, concert promoter, and founder of her own music imprint, CoCo Tunes Publishing INC. Her career is a masterclass in reinvention, proof that ambition, discipline, and fearlessness can coexist within a single, unstoppable woman. With her EP Enigmatic slated for release in 2026, Monique is entering a dynamic new era, showcasing singles like “Red Bottoms & Lingerie,” “Queen of the Hustle,” “If What I Feel Is Real,” and “We Are One.” Her unplugged performance of the latter captures the record's raw soul, reimagining the Frankie Beverly classic with NOLA Bounce flair. Her music continues to gain momentum, as her tracks featured on The Light Show compilation helped the album soar onto the Billboard Top 25, and into the Top 5 on both Amazon and iTunes.

Monique’s creative vision is deeply personal. She describes Enigmatic as a fusion of her eclectic artistry, “The Enig”, and the gritty Hip-Hop roots of her Brooklyn upbringing, “Matic.” It’s a fitting title for an artist who embodies multiplicity. That duality shines through in her breakout anthem “Queen of the Hustle,” which climbed the charts and became a rallying cry for women everywhere. Yet Monique’s journey began far from the spotlight. Raised in Brooklyn by parents who urged her toward stability, she pursued education. She later rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant with the Nassau County Police Department before retiring in 2021. Even then, she built her entertainment career brick by brick: opening recording studios, launching a music management company, founding a film company, and producing concerts across the Tri-State area. Her persistence led to performances at iconic venues, from SOB’s to City Winery Atlanta, and stages shared with R&B greats like Deborah Cox, Estelle, Melanie Fiona, Tank, and Sevyn Streeter.

From her debut single “Say Yes,” which earned her a three-month run as iHeart Radio’s Artist of the Month, to her bold, BET-featured hit “Red Bottoms and Lingerie” with Lil Flip, Monique has repeatedly proven her versatility and vision. She’s released a holiday EP, a nostalgic mixtape, and now adds radio host to her roster with her new show Ear Candy, airing soon across multiple stations. In everything she touches, Monique Nikkole delivers passion, authenticity, and undeniable hustle, solidifying her place not just as an artist to watch but as a full-fledged enterprise redefining what it means to create your own lane.