Quick Facts
Biography
Nicole Francine Aiello (born June 9, 1983) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, known by her stage name, Frankee. She grew up with her parents, Matthew and Francine, and her two siblings, elder brother Matthew Jr. and younger sister Monique. Nicole was given the nickname "Frankee," which is derived from her middle name (and is also her grandfather's nickname).
Career
Frankee's upbringing in Staten Island consisted of singing in her church choir, while she attended Bernstein Intermediate School and St. Joseph-by-the-Sea High School. Frankee made a name for herself as a local entertainer, performing in clubs and at a random assortment of venues. She also took voice and dance lessons in Manhattan. After high school, Frankee won a full scholarship to The University of Tampa in Florida, to study insurance brokering. She left after one year to concentrate on her musical career. She moved back to New York City and recorded demos.
In early 2004, before I could start work on a debut album, I became the subject of media attention because of the song "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" by Eamon. I then released an answer song, "F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)", with the same musical arrangement as Eamon's song.
— Frankee
"F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)" reached the number one position in the United Kingdom in May 2004, and Australia in June 2004.
Her first album, The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, included contributions from Makeba Riddick (who later co-wrote five songs on Beyoncé Knowles' B'Day album) and Andre Deyo (who co-wrote "Jenny from the Block"), with production by The Trackmasters and Rich Harrison. Frankee stated she chose this album title "because it explores the full spectrum of relationships". After touring America following the album's release, Frankee embarked on two UK tours and a German tour in the summer of 2004. Meanwhile, her second single, "How You Do," was released.
After leaving Marro Records in 2006, she signed with Big Management immediately afterwards to record a new album. A single, "Watch Me" was released as a digital download in 2006. This song failed to chart, and Frankee was dropped from Big Entertainment.
During her career, Frankee has also modelled for FHM and Maxim magazines.
Discography
Albums
- 2004: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
- 2006: Watch Me (Shelved)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | UK | AUS | DEN | FRA | NLD | NZ | NOR | SWE | |||
| 2004 | "F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)" | 29 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 2 | 33 | The Good, the Bad, the Ugly |
| "How You Do" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006 | "Watch Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |