Nicole Cormier

Biography

While most people become a household name through pedantic branding or disingenuous networking, Nicole Cormier’s name was cemented through years of evocative journalism and her unrelenting ability to identify and meet the needs of her community. Once a noted powerhouse in Denver, Colo., Cormier inevitably outgrew the very framework she helped create and moved to Las Vegas to better accommodate her national demand as a freelance music journalist.

Nicole got her degree in Communications (and Business) from UNLV, though it was never meant to catapult her into journalism. But in 2007, after a mesmerizing performance by her favorite MC (Tonedeff) her ambitions were irrevocably seized by the almighty pen. Her journalistic goals were guided by her distrust of big media, leading her to solace and success working with local publications, where the community is the focus. Cormier’s byline painted Colorado’s most respected publications (The Westword, Colorado Music Buzz, etc), elevating them as much as they gained her exposure.

From that informed perspective, Cormier identified a lack of coverage in the local hip-hop community and true to form, set out to fill the void. She published her own website, HipHopRollCall.com, which unearthed all of the hip-hop (and genre adjacent) music being made in the state while providing a balanced critique of those buzzing the loudest. The site included contributions from other prominent Colorado journalists, as well as coverage of and interviews with the renowned national artists that toured through the state. Nicole moved on from the publication once she felt confident that her contributions had made a difference, partly documented in this article about her.

Her passion may always reside in the lyrics and beats of hip-hop, but Nicole’s career is anything but boxed in. She has written for many publications. websites and ad agencies over the years, about numerous topics , yet her skills aren’t limited to writing. Working with Examiner, Early To Rise and Community College of Aurora as a content manager has honed her multifaceted understanding of developing content. Mastering coding (HTML, CSS), website management, reporting, and social media, coupled with writing has affirmed Nicole as a veritable one-stop shop for top-tier content creation. From household name to jack of all trades, Cormier’s respect has been well earned.

-Words by Rachel Chesbrough