Ghetto Luv

Monique and Tanika were both born and raised in Hackney, they have known each other for approximately 18 years as there parents were and still are very close friends. They used to sing together as children, making up reggae songs which was a very big influence in there lives at that time. As they got older they didn’t see much of each other for a good few years. Monique carried on writing and singing, Tanika went into hair dressing. They reunited in 2005. A close friend, Jessy James had asked Tanika to do some backing singing for some shows she had coming up in 2005’s Tottenham and Finsbury park carnival. Monique performed at both events, which was how they met up again. Monique and Tanika briefly caught up. Monique introduced Tanika to her manager. During that week Monique and Tanika talked about coming together as a group which was what he had in mind when he met Monique but couldn’t find anyone with the “full package”. Their manager was going to go ahead and bring Monique out on her own but after hearing Tanika sing he wanted her in the group to create a duet called “Ghetto Luv”. They had a few meetings which explained what he had planned for the girls. After allot of thought they came to an agreement. Tanika didn’t feel confident when it came to writing which was one of the reasons she didn’t pursue singing in the past. She feels that it is very important to be able to write as well as sing. Monique had been writing since the age of 11 and helped Tanika to gain confidence in her writing by showing her how she writes and the structure of writing a song. Monique had some unfinished songs and beats to write to from their producer Stevie Hoang which they worked on and completed. Soon after they started recording as a group. Tanika has become confident when it comes to writing and co/writing songs for Ghetto Luv and strongly feels that she has Monique to thank for helping her progress as a writer. It has been extremely challenging for the girls especially having to make sacrifices and completely devoting themselves to there music career. From 2005 onwards Ghetto Luv has performed at various venues and showcases such as Earls Wine Bar – The Fountain – Spice Festival, also performed for the Nia Project on a number of occasions which is an organisation for woman going through domestic violence. They have supported Jon B at Illusions Wine Bar and JOE at the Brixton Carling Academy. Ghetto Luv has a very unique and fresh style with an old school flavour. They have been very determined to take their time to perfect what they have and try to prepare for the industry. Ghetto Luv is in the process of completing their album with a few minor touch ups. The album is called “Life Related”. Some of the songs on the album are based on their lives, other people’s lives and what they feel, people are going through in all kinds of situations in hope that people can relate to what the songs are about.