Nicky Jam
Biography
Nick Rivera Caminero, known professionally as Nicky Jam, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 17, 1981, to a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father. At the age of ten, his family moved to Puerto Rico. He developed an interest in music early on, and at the age of fourteen, he recorded his first album, "...Distinto a los demás" (1995). This initial effort garnered local attention but did not achieve major success.
Early Career and Los Cangris
Nicky Jam's career began to gain traction in the late 1990s. He caught the attention of reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee, and the two formed the duo Los Cangris. They released several successful singles together, becoming a significant force in the burgeoning reggaeton scene. During this time, Nicky Jam also released solo albums, including "Haciendo Escante" (2001) and "Vida Escante" (2004). However, his career took a downturn due to personal struggles, including substance abuse, which led to the dissolution of Los Cangris in 2004.
Career Revival in Colombia
Following a period of career decline and legal issues, Nicky Jam moved to Medellín, Colombia, to relaunch his career. The move proved to be pivotal. He focused on a more melodic and romantic style of reggaeton, which resonated with audiences. Singles like "Voy a Beber" and "Travesuras" in 2014 marked a successful comeback. His career reached new heights with the 2015 single "El Perdón," a collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, which became a global hit.
International Stardom and Recent Work
Fénix and Global Recognition
In 2017, Nicky Jam released the album "Fénix," which solidified his status as a reggaeton superstar. The album featured hit singles like "El Amante" and "Hasta el Amanecer." He also collaborated with Will Smith and Era Istrefi on "Live It Up," the official song of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His 2019 album, "Íntimo," included the worldwide hit "X" with J Balvin.
Recent Projects
Nicky Jam has continued to release music, including the album "Infinity" in 2021. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in the films "XXX: Return of Xander Cage" (2017) and "Bad Boys for Life" (2020). In 2018, Netflix released the biographical series "Nicky Jam: El Ganador," which chronicles his life and career struggles.
Personal Life
Nicky Jam has four children. He was married to Angélica Cruz from 2017 to 2018. In February 2020, he became engaged to model Cydney Moreau, but the couple later separated.