What inspired you to become an artist?

I always wanted to be a singer.  My dad was a professional singer and I grew up listening, singing and watching him.  He was my greatest inspiration! 

What inspires the music you create?

I create music I feel or I create song topics off life situations I see around me.  I also go by the vibe I’m feeling at the moment.  It just depends, if I hear a melody, I create something that flows with it.  Depends of what the music is communicating to my soul. 

What was your favorite artist growing up?

Stephane Mills, Meli’sa Morgan, Shirley Murdock, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. 

What would be your dream venue to perform at? 

Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center.  I’m from Brooklyn, New York.

What should we look forward to see and hear from you in the future?

I have a new single and EP dropping in June.  My fitness apparel line and I wrote a fitness journal to assist with keeping track of daily workouts and nutrition. 

Relaxing vacations or action vacations?

A mix of both, all depends on how long the vacation is.  If it short, it’s relax mode.

Arctic or the tropics?

Tropic for sure, I hate the cold! That’s one of the reasons I left New York. 

Describe your year so far, using only four words?

Challenging, rewarding, productive and elevating. 

What’s your biggest money mistake you wish you could take back?

Investing in other people’s businesses.  I had one business partner steal money from me, lesson learned! I invest in my own business period!

Where is the one place you have travelled that you would tell everyone to go at least once in their life?

Turks and Caicos and Barbados.  London is cool too, just go when it’s warm. 

Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

Music.

If you could meet any figure from history, who would it be?

Alive, Barack Obama.  Dead, Whitney Houston.

How can everyone keep in contact with you on social media?

Website: moniquenikkole.com.  Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @moniquenikkole or just Google me.