Windhoek
Many praise and refer to her as a stage performer but the real Monique English is a songstress, songwriter and a performer striving at taking the local music industry to the next level.
Born and raised in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Monique only started singing when she was nine years old. “It was stressful and a bit uncomfortable in the beginning because as an artist, you have to be confident in yourself and your capability as a singer,” says she. Along her musical journey she met and confronted many challenges. “Sometimes I used to be shy, especially when I would be asked to sing in front of people, however this became easier along the way,” she recalls one of the challenges.
Today she is chasing after super stardom, ready and eager to take over the industry by storm with her debut album due for release in two month’s time. “I am very excited, because every artist wants their album out. This is how people get to know you more as an artist,” she says. Although for now she cannot reveal more about the album Monique says her fans and all must expect nothing but the best from it.
Her first single, Destination, produced by the Cape Town-based Laurenzo Davids of VMR Records, was released last year and has since been enjoying massive airplay on local radio stations and social networks.
This song was on the Taffy – Raw Africa Top 20 for ten weeks and two weeks at number 1. At the end of last year Monique released her second single, Makes My Heart Go, she co-wrote with KK and produced by K-Boss. The single has lately been airing on Energy 100FM, West Coast FM, Fresh FM, NUST FM as well as the Afrikaans Radio. Her newest single, I work for It, was released to all radio stations recently. About her stage performances experience, she says so far she has shared the stage with several renowned artists such as Stefan Ludik, Mafikizolo, Anthony Hamilton (USA) and Desmond. She has also collaborated on some few songs with local artist KP Illest, who had four nominations in this year’s Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs). “We also performed the renowned song, No One’s Laughing with KP Illest at this year’s NAMAs,” she affirms.
Monique has won few competitions, including the Battle of the Artists & Talent Quest Show in 2012, Battle of the Vocals at the coast in 2010 as well as making it through to the top 25 in the Trustco’s ‘Star Performer’ competition in 2013.
Last year she participated in South Africa’s Idols competition going through to the third round.
“I currently don’t have any videos out. I first want to lay down a few songs from my upcoming album and choose which one I want to make a video of, before the album is released.” She is signed under Deal Done Records under the management of Antonio’s Art.