Tiffany Monique: Stepping Out of Beyonce's Shadow to Launch Solo Career

Some of black music's most famous artists got their start as background players before launching successful solo careers of their own. Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye and Mel'isa Morgan are just a few of the countless others who supported others before forging their own paths.

A new soulful voice, Tiffany Monique, is gearing up to do step to the foreground with her debut solo effort, which is released this week..

For years, the Tennessee native lent her distinctive sound to back-up a litany of pop and R&B stars, from Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder to Christina Aguilera and Kenny Loggins.

But her spectacular work with the one and only Beyonce Knowles seems to the springboard for so much more.

As a student at Morgan State University in 2003, Tiffany Monique Riddick sang backup vocals on Carey's BET Christmas special at the request of the 'Make it Happen' singer's vocal coach and background singer Melonie Daniels. That performance led to years of background work before she left the music business to focus on her family.

"I was married at the time and found out I was pregnant, and I felt that I needed to settle down," the aspiring diva told BV Newswire. But just as she came to grips with how miserable she was working at a full-time pharmaceutical job, she got the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I got a call from [creative director for Beyoncé] Kim Burse, and she said, 'Tiffany, would you be able to leave tomorrow and be gone for six months?'"

After hearing it was for Beyoncé, Monique agreed to go in for what she thought was an audition; it turned out to be the first rehearsal, and she had already been selected.

Though she was hesitant to leave her newborn son, with family support and the encouragement of Beyoncé's other two background vocalists, both of whom were mothers, she quit her job via e-mail and took part in what she calls "the best experience I've had as a background vocalist." She began backing the former Destiny's Child frontwoman as part of a trio of dubbed "the Mamas."

"I heard about how hard [Beyonce] works and how dedicated she was," Monique shared, "but there is nothing like seeing her firsthand when she is in rehearsal; not thinking about eating or sleeping or anything, but work."

She said unlike other star acts who are known to treat their backup artists horribly, Beyonce "isn't afraid of talent and doesn't try to mask that the background singers can sing or that the band can play all genres of music."

The 'Single Ladies' chart-topper, added Monique, "gives you a platform to showcase your talent in front of the same audience coming to see her, so you're better equipped to step out."

Beyonce is clearly a fan of Monique's as well.

"Tiffany's voice has effortless strength, sass, seduction and heart with a tone that puts you at ease," the 16-time Grammy winner offered. "I am very lucky to have worked with her for many years, and I am proud that she now has such a wonderful piece of work to share with the world."

'Nemesis,' Monique's debut, was co-produced by Kevin "Kwiz" Ryan, whom Monique met on the road as one of Beyonce's tour producers.

"I can honestly say prior to working with Beyonce, I was up in the air on pursuing a solo career because I had a family. Then after the first tour, I said, 'I could just do this. I'm good,'" she said. "The great part about being on tour with Beyonce is you're exposed to all of her fans, and they are supportive and open to everyone who is a part of her band. One thing that I fully understand as a background vocalist is that my role is to be supportive; this is not the time for me to shine."

But she is quick to declare, "If that's the avenue I'm supposed to take everything will work itself out."

And work out it has.

'Nemesis' was released digitally on iTunes, Amazon and other Internet music sites on June 15. She is also getting a band together with plans for a promotional tour in the very near future.

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Background Players To The Forefront

Many music superstars got their start in the music business not in the spotlight, but by backing other well-known R&B and pop vocalists. Blackvoices.com takes a look at some of the soul singers who had the courage to step out and launch successful solo careers. Here's a few noteworthy music acts who set out to go off on their own.

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Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Sisters In the Name of Rap
When it comes to women taking center stage in the hip hop arena, some are overlooked more than others. Before Nicki Minaj came up on the scene, there was Roxanne Shante, Lil' Kim, Trina and YoYo. Here's a look at some the most notable females in hip-hop.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Roxanne Shante
Birth name: Lolita Gooden
Origin: Long Island, New York
Affiliation: The Juice Crew, Marley Marl
Hot Track: 'Roxanne's Revenge'
Factoid: Widely recognized as the first female hip hop artist to break through the male dominated industry, Roxanne Shante's no holds-barred style of rap made her a household name.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Queen Latifah
Birth name: Dana Elaine Owens
Origin: Newark, New Jersey
Affiliation: Naughty By Nature, Zhane
Hot Track: 'U.N.I.T.Y.'
Factoid: The first female solo rapper to win a Grammy Award, Latifah was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the blockbuster musical 'Chicago,' and has recorded to critically-acclaimed jazz albums. She's a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and Cover Girl cosmetics.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Sister Souljah
Birth name: Lisa Williamson
Origin: Bronx, New York
Affiliation: Public Enemy
Hot Track: 'The Hate That Hate Produced'
Factoid: In 1992, Sister Souljah released her only album, '360 Degrees of Power,' via Epic Records. Both of her videos, "The Final Solution: Slavery's Back in Effect" and "The Hate that Hate Produced," were banned by MTV because of their inflammatory imagery. She garnered international attention when then presidential candidate Bill Clinton criticized her remarks about race in the United States during his campaign. Clinton's well-known repudiation of her comments led to what is now known in politics as a Sister Souljah moment.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Lauryn Hill
Birthname: Lauryn Noel Hill
Origin: South Orange, New Jersey
Affiliation: The Fugees
Hot Track: 'Do Wop (That Thing)'
Factoid: Before she made history as the front-woman of The Fugees, Lauryn starred in the hit movie, 'Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit.'

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Yo Yo
Birthname: Yolanda Whitaker
Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Affiliation: Ice Cube
Hot Track: 'You Can't Play With My Yo Yo'
Factoid: Yo-Yo is an on-air personality for the Los Angeles hip-hop radio station KDAY.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Nicki Minaj
Birth name: Onika Tanya Maraj
Origin: Jamaica Queens, New York
Affiliation: Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Young Money
Hot Track: 'Massive Attack'
Factoid: Known for her animated personality, eye-popping fashion style and voluptuous curves, Young Money's first lady reportedly attended performing arts school LaGuardia High School, where she studied acting.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Lil' Kim
Birthname: Kimberly Denise Jones
Origin: Brooklyn, New York
Affiliation: The Notorious B.I.G., Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Hot Track: 'Not Tonight'
Factoid: The reality show 'Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown,' which was filmed before Kim headed to jail, became the highest rated premiere in BET history at the time, with 1.7 million viewers.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Nikki D
Birth name: Nichelle Strong
Origin: New Jersey
Affiliation: Queen Latifah
Hot Track: 'Daddy's Little Girl'
Factoid: Nikki D was the first female rapper signed to Def Jam Records.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap

Salt-N-Pepa
Birth name (s): Cheryl James, Sandra Denton
Origin: Queens, New York
Affiliation: Kid-N-Play
Hot Track: 'Push It'
Factoid: In 1995, Salt-N-Pepa won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for the single 'None Of Your Business,' making them the first female rap group to win a prestigious honor.

Sisters In The Name Of Rap