Monique: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B
Monique is a British R&B singer-songwriter known for her rich vocal tone and emotionally resonant songwriting. Hailing from London, she achieved mainstream recognition with her platinum-certified debut album, which charted across Europe.
Early career
Born Monique Sterling in 1992, she grew up in South London immersed in a musical household. Her first steps into music were posting covers on YouTube in her late teens, which led to her discovery by an A&R scout from the independent label Soulfire Records.
She signed with Soulfire in 2013 and released her first EP, Prelude, that same year. The EP's lead single, "Midnight Thoughts," garnered early attention on UK urban radio, setting the stage for her future work.
Breakthrough
Monique's breakthrough arrived in 2016 with her debut studio album, Echoes, released through Soulfire in partnership with a major label distribution deal. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 12 and was later certified platinum, driven by strong streaming numbers.
Its success was anchored by several hit singles that dominated R&B playlists, establishing her as a fresh yet classic-sounding voice in the genre. This commercial peak led to high-profile festival slots and her first headlining tour.
Key tracks
Echoes — The title track and lead single introduced her signature blend of 90s-inspired R&B with contemporary production.
Fading — This collaboration with producer Kaytranada became a club staple and expanded her reach into electronic music circles.
No More — A powerful ballad that showcased her vocal range and earned her first major radio rotation on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
City Lights — Featuring rapper Little Simz, this track highlighted her credibility within the UK's hip-hop and soul scene.
Hold On — The final single from her debut album, it achieved gold certification and sustained chart presence for over six months.
Following her debut's success, Monique took a more hands-on production role for her sophomore album, 2020's Resilient. The album debuted at number 8 in the UK and featured collaborations with artists like Tom Misch and Sinead Harnett.
Her most recent work includes the 2023 EP Interlude, which she released independently, signaling a new creative chapter. Monique continues to tour extensively, with notable performances at festivals like Lovebox and Wireless.
Fans of Monique's sophisticated take on R&B also enjoy the work of Ella Mai, who shares a similar foundation in classic soul and modern rhythms. Mahalia offers a comparable blend of confessional songwriting and R&B grooves. The smooth vocals of Cleo Sol resonate with Monique's soulful aesthetic, while Jorja Smith parallels her journey from UK underground acclaim to international stages.
Monique's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on contemporary R&B and urban FM stations, as well as on dedicated online soul music streams. Her tracks are regular features on playlists across independent music radio stations focusing on new UK talent.
Listeners can explore the soulful depth of Monique's catalog through the R&B and modern soul stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to discover her key hits and deep cuts on radio stations available through our platform.
