Monique Nikkole unveils “We Are One” and announces new EP Enigmatic

The Grammy-nominated R&B powerhouse blends bounce, soul, and Brooklyn grit as she redefines independence ahead of her fall release.

We’ve all heard the phrase “New York Strong.” However, in Monique Nikkole, that strength becomes something tangible. The Grammy-nominated artist isn’t just a vocalist. Additionally, she’s a visionary whose life blends the streets of Brooklyn with the sophistication of global artistry. She has mastered the dual art of resilience and reinvention. Therefore, standing tall in a business that tests both daily. Her story radiates with the energy of a woman who refused to be boxed in. Not by the industry, by fear, nor by expectation.

From the borough that gave hip-hop its pulse, Monique learned that greatness isn’t handed out—it’s earned. Every late-night writing session, every independent release, every entrepreneurial leap—each one reflects the same drive that pushed her from local stages to major playlists. Her background in law enforcement only sharpened her grit. After years in service, she turned full-circle to her first love: music. And this time, she came for it all—on her own terms.

For Monique, ambition isn’t optional—it’s inherited. She calls it her DNA. As a singer, songwriter, and businesswoman, she embodies the self-made spirit that defines both New York and the next generation of women in R&B. The result is not just a catalog of songs—it’s an empire built from courage and conviction.

“We Are One” — Unity with a Pulse

Her latest single, “We Are One,” which will be released soon under her CoCo Tunes Publishing imprint, is more than a track—it’s a movement. A reimagining of Frankie Beverly & Maze’s timeless anthem, the song transforms nostalgia into renewal, merging soulful instrumentation with New Orleans bounce flair. It’s family reunions reborn for today’s world—full of rhythm, community, and unfiltered joy.

“It brought me so much joy that I had to put a fresh spin on it,” Monique explains. “It’s uplifting, motivational, and has that stepper-party vibe that brings people together.” Her take doesn’t just honor the original—it reclaims it. It’s her love letter to the music that raised her, refitted for a new generation that still believes in unity. Every lyric invites movement, every drumline sparks memory.

The response has been immediate. Social media filled with praise for her voice and vision, with fans describing “We Are One” as “medicine for the times.” It’s not just the bounce or the melody—it’s how the record reminds people what connection sounds like.

The Birth of Enigmatic

Monique’s forthcoming EP, Enigmatic, arrives this fall as her most personal statement yet. The title, she says, was inspired by the way people describe her—mysterious, versatile, uncontainable. “The ‘Enig’ represents that mystery and multifaceted nature of who I am,” she shares. “‘Matic’ comes from my hip-hop beginnings in Canarsie–East Flatbush. It’s my rhythm, my grind, my foundation.” Together, they form a word that perfectly captures her identity: Enigmatic.

The project includes her powerhouse singles “Red Bottoms & Lingerie,” “Queen of the Hustle,” and “If What I Feel Is Real.” Each track reveals another side of her artistry—from sensual confidence to emotional clarity. It’s a body of work that fuses her R&B roots with her Brooklyn backbone, polished yet raw, layered yet cohesive.

In sound and spirit, Enigmatic is a mirror of Monique herself: glamorous and grounded, vulnerable yet unbreakable. Where other artists chase trends, she creates movements—music that makes people dance, think, and feel all at once.

The Hustle That Built a Legacy

Long before her Grammy nomination, Monique was already defining success her own way. Her single “Queen of the Hustle” became an anthem for women everywhere—climbing to #7 on iTunes, #21 on Spotify, and lighting up playlists with over 10,000 Shazams. Its message—of self-sufficiency, determination, and pride—cemented her as both an artist and a symbol.

When the media dubbed it “the new women’s anthem,” they weren’t exaggerating. The song wasn’t built on marketing—it was built on truth. Monique sang what she lived. From juggling a police career to studio sessions, she became proof that success doesn’t require permission.

Even now, she calls “Queen of the Hustle” one of her proudest creations, not because of its numbers, but because of its reach. “I wrote that song for every woman who works two jobs and still chases her dream,” she says. “That’s who I am too.”

From Detective Sergeant to Charting Star

Monique’s professional journey is as rare as it is inspiring. After earning her degree, she joined the Nassau County Police Department and quickly rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant—a position she held with distinction until her 2021 retirement. While policing demanded structure, music offered freedom. That contrast forged her discipline and sharpened her creativity.

“Although I was totally committed to my civil service career, my heart stayed in entertainment,” she reflects. “I always knew one day I would pursue music full-time.” True to her word, she prepared. She invested in her own recording studios, launched a management company, and founded CoCo Tunes Publishing INC to own every piece of her artistry.

Her transition wasn’t luck—it was legacy. When she stepped away from the badge, she didn’t just enter music; she brought her leadership, precision, and purpose with her. That’s why her shows feel like command performances—organized, magnetic, and emotionally charged.

Achievements Beyond the Charts

Monique’s credentials read like a resume for multiple lifetimes. A Grammy Voting Member and nominee, she’s also a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and an honorary doctorate holder. Her catalog spans R&B, hip-hop, and soul. Each project was crafted under her own vision.

Her first major single, “Say Yes,” earned her iHeart Radio’s “Artist of the Month” three times in a row, gaining both U.S. and international airplay. Her collaboration with Lil Flip on “Red Bottoms & Lingerie” took her to television networks like BET and MTV, establishing her as a cross-market presence. In 2024, her feature on Antonio Vergara’s blues album The Fury earned her first Grammy nomination. Therefore, proof that her talent transcends genre.

She’s shared stages with heavyweights—Deborah Cox, Tank, Estelle, and Sevyn Streeter—and packed venues like SOB’s and City Winery Atlanta. Each performance reinforces her reputation as a powerhouse whose presence fills rooms and hearts alike.

Beyond Music — A Brand Built on Motion

Outside the booth, Monique is an entrepreneur redefining what it means to be self-made. She owns a fitness and lifestyle brand, promotes concerts through her own company, and invests in real estate. Her Instagram fitness page, where she shares marathon training and health motivation, has become a community in itself.

She recently launched her new radio show Ear Candy on WTSX, WPYT, and 103.7 Da Beat, where she blends interviews and music with the same authenticity that drives her songs. Her philosophy remains unchanged: build platforms, don’t wait for them.

And in every arena she steps into—music, business, or wellness—she brings the same mantra: Be fearless, be focused, and always bet on yourself.

A Legacy Called “Enigmatic”

For Monique Nikkole, Enigmatic isn’t just an EP title—it’s a mirror. It captures her layers, contradictions, and brilliance. It’s what happens when an artist refuses to pick between strength and softness, strategy and soul.

Her evolution from Brooklyn dreamer to Grammy nominee tells a story of consistency. Every setback became training; every triumph, a lesson. Now, as she readies Enigmatic for release, she does so not as an artist waiting for validation—but as a woman already complete.

“We Are One” set the tone. The EP will deliver the message: unity, resilience, and purpose are timeless. And in that light, Monique Nikkole isn’t just releasing music—she’s writing her next chapter in sound, strength, and legacy.

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