Born, Monifa Carter, on January 28, 1972 in Harlem, New York.
Monifah ( the "h" was added by Heavy D for visual balance ) enjoyed widespread acclaim in the late '90's, with her soulful and intelligent brand of urban R&B.
Monifah was brought up surrounded by music in the Spanish Harlem section of upper Manhattan. "Nifa", as her mom Eleanor calls her, "was always a ham." Recalling her living room concerts as a child. "She comes from a musical family. I sang in groups as a teen and my mother and siblings play various instruments and sing as well."
A multi-talented child, Monifah landed her first lead role as "Hermia", in the Children's Acting Company's production of Shakespeare's, "A Midsummers Night's Dream". She was 11 years-old. She went on to be accepted as a drama and voice major at New York's prestigious F.H. Laguardia High School of the Performing Arts. Needless to say, she opted to go with her first love, singing.
Following high school and the birth of a beautiful daughter, Akemi, Monifah began to sing for a living. She was a backing vocalist for Reggae superstar, Maxi Priest and accompanied him on his 1992-'94 World Tour. "God is so awesome. He allowed me to use the gift He gave me to support my family and to see the world."
Through six degrees of separation and some pivotal career associates, Monifah got re-acquainted with rapper Heavy D.
It was a match nade in a musical heaven.
Monifah ejoyed almost immediate success with the 1995 radio hit, "I Miss You (Come Back Home)" which was featured on the "New York Undercover" soundtrack. The following year's 'Moods...Moments" was executive produced by Heavy D, with additional help from TrackMasters and Vincent Herbert. The main attraction, however, was Monifah's cool understated voice. Shining on gospel-inspired ballads such as, "Jesus Is Love". Equally compelling were the sensual, "You" and the bluesy "You dDon't Have To Love Me".
Monifah was credited as executive producer on the follow- up "Mo'Hogany". An impressive list of guest producers included Mario Winans, Jack Knight, Raphael Saadiq & long-time friend, Queen Latifah. Monifah's anthem "Bad Girls", featured childhood friend, Queen Pen. And her hit single, "Touch It" was just one of the highlights on this classy, hip-hop oriented album.
Teddy Riley was brought in as executive producer and co-writer on Monifah's last album to date, "Home".
"I wish more people who enjoy my music were aware that I have a third album. It got caught in the politics of this businesswe call music", she chuckles. "Vocally, it was new level for me. Teddy is a gifted producer and he pushed me like I had never been before."
Soon after the release of her last album, Monifah returned to the stage. As an actress.
She has been in several successful urban theater productions such as:
"Men Cry In The Dark", alongside old friends , Allen Payne and Christopher Williams.
"Will A Real Man Please Stand Up!", with Johnny Gill and Clifton Powell & Dave Hollister.
"Soul Kittens Cabaret", written and directed by Nicci Gilbert of the platinum R&B trio, Brownstone.
Sharing the the stage with her singing and acting peers, Syleena Johnson, Angie Stone & Tatyana Ali.
"I am in a blessed and exciting time of my life", Monifah says.
She currently resides in Hackensack , N.J. and is writing a one- woman show that she will produce, direct and star in.
