Custom Search 1

Happy birthday Monie Love!

SHINING BRIGHT: Monie Love in 2004

BATTERSEA-BORN rapper tuned radio presenter Monie Love turns 47 today.

Monie, real name Simone Gooden, travelled to the states to enjoy a glittering career which has resulted in two Grammy Award nominations for singles It's a Shame (My Sister) and Monie in the Middle which feature on her 1990 album Down to Earth.

WATCH IT'S A SHAME (MY SISTER), BELOW ( CREDIT: DIGGINDCRATEZ/YOUTUBE):

Monie appeared on Queen Latifah's Grammy Award-winning track Ladies First as well as De La Soul's Buddy, helping her to cement her place in the Hip-Hop hall of fame.

The rapper spends much of her time on radio in the states today, representing the likes of Sirius, MySpace and regional stations.

Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.