Monqiue “Oni” Pridgen’s New Song – “We Will Breathe”

Monique “Oni" Pridgen is a wife, mother of two, singer/songwriter and poet.

She is a native of Buffalo and is a graduate of the Buffalo Public School system.  She also attended SUNY Erie College.

More: Submit a Song for Airplay

Though she is most commonly known for being the wife of Buffalo Common Council President and Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church, Darius Pridgen, Monique is beginning to make her presence in Buffalo with her music.

Monique, known musically as “Oni”, released her first musical project ‘Catharsis Vol. 1’ in April of 2019. The EP is available on all digital music platforms.

More: Griselda to Release First Movie ‘Conflicted’

With all the recent events involving Police Brutality, I thought it was perfect timing when she wrote this new song. I spoke with her recently via Facebook, I asked her was it one specific thing that inspired this song, and she said.

Honestly, My husband, listening to my frustrations, my fears, and pure rage as I watched the murder of George Floyd it inspired me ... He said 'You have to write something. You have to voice what you’re feeling...Your raw emotions.' I got up early the next morning and I poured my heart out.... I went into my home studio and just started singing. This is what came out.

I met Monique back in 2014, I was the DJ at her wedding. I knew when she wrote the song for her own first dance, she was an amazing talent.