Nick Rivera Caminero, commonly known in the music world as Nicky Jam, is an American vocalist and songwriter. He was born March 17, 1981 in Boston (Massachusetts). The performer was born into a Puerto Rican-Dominican family.
He later moved with his family to Catano, Puerto Rico, where he started working as a packer in a supermarket to help his family financially. From the age of 10, he showed interest in urban music, performing rap and improvisations with friends.
How it all began?
In 1992, Nick began rapping at his workplace in a supermarket, attracting the attention of customers. One day, among the customers in the store was the wife of a record label director from Puerto Rico, who heard the song and was impressed by his talent.
She told about Niki to her husband. Later, the young man was invited to an audition, where he sang his best compositions to a businessman. The producer was surprised by the extraordinary talent of Nicky Jam and immediately offered to sign a cooperation contract.
The singer recorded his first album in rap and reggae performed by Distinto a Losdemás. The album was not hugely popular. But several DJs supported the aspiring singer and played his songs at some musical "parties".
One day, a passer-by called the guy Nicky Jam. Since that time, the singer has called himself this stage name.
Carier start
In mid-1990, Nicky Jam met Daddy Yankee, for whom he had a special interest and respect. Yankee offered to perform with him at a concert that the latter was supposed to give in the Dominican Republic.
Thanks to a great performance by Daddy, Yankee and Nicky Jam formed the duo Los Cangris. They released songs like En la cama and Guayando. In 2001, one of Nicky's songs was part of the El Cartel album.
Serious problems
A few months later, Daddy Yankee discovered that Nicky was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Daddy Yankee tried to help him, but all efforts were in vain. In 2004, the musicians' business relationship ended.
Towards the end of 2004, Nicky Jam released his debut reggaeton solo album Vida Escante, which garnered infamous hits.
In the same year, his former partner released several hits that overshadowed the fame and popularity of Nicky Jam's album.
After the incident, the performer fell into his former addiction and went headlong into absolute depression.
At the peak of popularity
In December 2007, the singer resumed his work with music, releasing his new album "Black Carpet", he took 24th place in the list of the best Latin albums in the United States of America.
After a difficult period in his personal life, Nicky Jam continued to work hard in the music field. For this reason, in 2007 he went to Medellin (Colombia), where he gave several concerts.
During 2007-2010. he also toured other Colombian cities. In Colombia, the singer was very well received by the fans, motivating him to continue his path to success.
Meeting with a new culture and mentality contributed to the elimination of addictions. All the singer's problems are in the past.
In 2012, Nicky recorded a new song, The party call me, and in 2013, the singer released his single Voy a Beber, thanks to which he achieved huge popularity in Latin America and topped several Billboard music charts.
A year later, he released the song Travesuras, with which he continued to gain fame in the reggaeton style, and this song also peaked at number 4 on Billboard's "Hot Latin Songs" list.
In February 2015 Nicky Jam signed with Sony Music Latin and SESAC Latina and released the song El Perdón which also included a remix in collaboration with Enrique Iglesias.
The song gained immense popularity and took first positions in the music charts of radio stations in Spain, France, Portugal, Holland and Switzerland.
Nicky Jam won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Urban Performance for El Perdón and was nominated for Best Urban Music Album by Greatest Hits Volume 1.
On September 15, 2017, the author released the song Cásate Conmigo. Nicky Jam collaborated with Sylvester Dangond's Vallenato. In the same year, the singer collaborated with Romeo Santos and Daddy Yankee, releasing a joint song Bella y Sensual.
The X single featuring J Balvin appeared in 2018. A remix featuring Maluma and Ozuna followed soon after. Jam released individual tracks throughout the year, including Satisfaccion with Bad Bunny and Arcangel, Good Vibes with Fuego, and Jaleo with Steve Aoki.
At the end of the year, he released the track Te Robaré (feat. Ozuna). Nicky Jam has also co-written various singles and album tracks, including Ozuna's Haciéndolo, Ginza's remix of J. Balvin's Bruuttal, and Loud Luxury's Body on My with Brando and Pitbull.
2019 didn't leave much time for Nicky Jam to rest as he worked on a lot of tracks including Shaggy Body Good, Alejandro Sanz Back in the City and the Karol G Mi Cama remix.
He has also released several digital singles in Latin America, including Mona Lisa (feat. Nacho), Atrévete (feat. Sech) and El Favor. In the same year, the singer took part in the filming of the film Bad Boys for Life, which starred Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Nicky Jam has come a long way on the path to success. He struggled with a variety of setbacks that led the singer to drug addiction and loss of fame.
The love of music and the desire to develop a musical career overcame his addictions and depressive states.
