GetWiki

{{Short description|American singer (born 1981)}}{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}{{family name hatnote|Rivera|Caminero|lang=Spanish}}

factoids

| birth_place = Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.United StatesURL=HTTPS://WWW.TELEMUNDO.COM/ENTRETENIMIENTO/LATINX-NOW-ESPANOL/FAMOSOS/NICKY-JAM-TIENE-UN-AMULETO-DE-LA-BUENA-SUERTE-QUE-LO-UNE-COLOMBIA-TMNA3896381 PUBLISHER=TELEMUNDO, es-US, }}Singerrecord producer}}ACCESS-DATE=MAY 10, 2021LANGUAGE=ES-ESARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20210510155359/HTTPS://WWW.ELCORREOGALLEGO.ES/TENDENCIAS/VERANO/EL-ALBARINO-HABRIA-SONADO-AYER-A-RITMO-DE-NICKY-JAM-FJ4128016, live, | module =

factoids

La IndustriaSony Music Latin>Sony LatinRCA Records>RCA}}}}www.iamnickyjam.com}}}}Nick Rivera Caminero (born March 17, 1981), known by his stage name Nicky Jam, is an American singer. He is best known for hits such as “X”, “Travesuras”, “En la Cama”, “Te Busco”, “El Perdón”, “Hasta el Amanecer”, and “El Amante”; the later three are from his 2017 album Fénix. He has frequently collaborated with other Latin artists such as Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Ozuna, Plan B and Anuel AA. While his early music exemplified traditional fast-paced reggaeton, his newer compositions place more emphasis on sung vocals and romantic lyrics.Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts to a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father, his family moved to Puerto Rico when he was ten years old. He began recording music at age fourteen with his first EP ...Distinto a los demás (1995), and eventually caught the attention of Daddy Yankee. The two formed the group Los Cangris, which was active from the late 1990s to 2004. The pair split acrimoniously and Nicky Jam’s career quickly took a sharp decline, followed by a period of legal struggles and substance abuse.WEB, December 14, 2018, Así sonaba Nicky Jam en su faceta de “El Niño Raggamuffin”,heabbi.com/nicky-jam-nino-ragamuffin, February 18, 2021, Heabbi.com, es, June 8, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200608192500/https://heabbi.com/nicky-jam-nino-ragamuffin, live, He then moved to Medellín, Colombia, where he rejuvenated his career and developed a more melodic style of music, which proved to be popular through the release of the singles “Voy a Beber” and “Travesuras” in 2014. His success was furthered by the 2015 single “El Perdón” and his 2017 album Fénix. He released the album Íntimo in 2019, which was a critical and commercial success. Nicky Jam has also acted in the films (2017) and Bad Boys for Life (2020), and starred in and executive produced the Netflix biographical series (Nicky Jam: El Ganador) (2018).

Biography

1981–1996: Early life and career beginnings

Nick Rivera Caminero was born on March 17, 1981, in Lawrence, Massachusetts to a Dominican mother and Puerto Rican father.WEB, Birchmeier, Jason, Nicky Jam - Biography,www.allmusic.com/artist/nicky-jam-mn0000867980/biography, Allmusic, Rovi Corporation, December 13, 2014, December 30, 2014,www.allmusic.com/artist/nicky-jam-mn0000867980/biography," title="web.archive.org/web/20141230062142www.allmusic.com/artist/nicky-jam-mn0000867980/biography,">web.archive.org/web/20141230062142www.allmusic.com/artist/nicky-jam-mn0000867980/biography, live, MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/nicky-jam-reggaeton-bad-boys-life-video-945571/, The First Time with Nicky Jam, Exposito, Suzy, January 30, 2020, April 17, 2020, Rolling Stone, April 29, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200429063935/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/nicky-jam-reggaeton-bad-boys-life-video-945571/, live, Having been born on Saint Patrick’s Day, he enjoyed attending parades for the holiday as a little boy. While in Massachusetts, he developed an affinity for hip-hop, specifically East Coast acts Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and LL Cool J.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7694037/nicky-jam-medellin-comeback, 48 Hours With Nicky Jam In Medellín: How the City Helped Him Quit Drugs & Get Back on Top, Katz, Jesse, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, February 16, 2017, April 17, 2020, May 5, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200505061338/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7694037/nicky-jam-medellin-comeback, live, When Nicky Jam was ten years old, his family moved to the Río Hondo suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an attempt to reconnect with the family’s Puerto Rican roots.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/news/6745299/nicky-jam-beef-daddy-yankee-drug-abuse-comeback, How Nicky Jam Triumphed Over Drugs, Weight Gain and Beef With Daddy Yankee: ‘I Was Too Young’, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Murray, Nick, October 29, 2015, April 17, 2020, November 13, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211113021059/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6745299/nicky-jam-beef-daddy-yankee-drug-abuse-comeback, live, However, in an interview with Billboard, Nicky Jam explained that his father had become embroiled in a drug-related case and escaped bail, necessitating the move to Puerto Rico.WEB, Univision, La transformación de Nicky Jam, de niño a ser una de las máximas estrellas del reggaeton,www.univision.com/entretenimiento/la-transformacion-de-nicky-jam-de-nino-a-ser-una-de-las-maximas-estrellas-del-reggaeton-fotos, February 18, 2021, Univision, spanish, August 3, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210803230015/https://www.univision.com/entretenimiento/la-transformacion-de-nicky-jam-de-nino-a-ser-una-de-las-maximas-estrellas-del-reggaeton-fotos, live, Nicky Jam initially experienced culture shock upon moving to Puerto Rico, having never spoken Spanish before arriving to the island.WEB,www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/arts/music/nicky-jam-fenix-reggaeton-interview.html, For Nicky Jam, a Second Chance at Stardom as Reggaeton Surges Again, January 18, 2018, April 17, 2020, The New York Times, Caramanica, Jon, November 13, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211113011038/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/arts/music/nicky-jam-fenix-reggaeton-interview.html, live, Despite the difficult start, he quickly made friends in his neighborhood and after spending time in the streets as a middle schooler, became inspired to pursue a musical career. He also used Caribbean hip-hop and reggaeton as a way to help him polish his Spanish-language skills. He originally went by the moniker “Nick MC”, but changed it to Nicky Jam after a neighborhood homeless man gave him the unsolicited comment, “You ain’t Nick MC, you’re Nicky Jam”.While working at the Pueblo Xtra discount grocery store at age eleven, he passed time by rapping about the items he was bagging, which impressed a customer who invited him to record with a local indie label. He subsequently signed a contract without reading it and received no advance money for his recordings. He recorded and released his first EP ...Distinto a los demás in 1995 at age fourteen.WEB, Nicky Jam lamenta el fallecimiento de un amigo,www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/farandula/notas/nicky-jam-lamenta-el-fallecimiento-de-un-amigo/, December 22, 2020, Primera Hora, September 11, 2020, es, September 27, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200927002845/https://www.primerahora.com/entretenimiento/farandula/notas/nicky-jam-lamenta-el-fallecimiento-de-un-amigo/, live, WEB,www.vibe.com/featured/nicky-jam-vibe-viva-interview, Nicky Jam: A Love Supreme, Vibe, Estevez, Marjua, February 14, 2020, April 17, 2020, April 7, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200407044142/https://www.vibe.com/featured/nicky-jam-vibe-viva-interview, live, He endured a difficult breakup with his girlfriend shortly after the album’s release and the emotional pain of the experience led him to try cocaine for the first time at age fifteen. Nicky Jam reflected on the experience by saying: “[I thought], ‘why am I going to take care of myself? My dad didn’t handle his drug problems. My mom did drugs too, so why not me?’ I mean, I had drugs all around me, and the foundation of everything is your home. It’s your family.”

1997–2006: Los Cangris and career decline

File:Daddy Yankee - The Kingdom (Official Q & A).png|thumb|upright=0.85|left|Nicky Jam formed the duo Los Cangris with his idol and mentor, Daddy YankeeDaddy YankeeDespite his drug use, he managed to gain popularity in Puerto Rico as a hip-hop artist, and eventually met his idol, Daddy Yankee. Nicky Jam recalled that Daddy Yankee was familiar with his work, explaining, “He looked at me and said, ‘I know who you are. You’re that little kid that sings rap in a little Mickey Mouse voice. I like your style.’” The two artists then formed a duo called Los Cangris. The duo achieved success in Puerto Rico through hit singles such as “En la Cama”, “Dónde Están las Gatas”, and “Guayando”. While in the group, he went on to release the solo albums Haciendo escante (2001) and Vida escante (2004).However, Nicky Jam struggled to adjust to his new lifestyle and began using drugs and alcohol to an extent that concerned his musical partner. Having used cocaine on and off since age fifteen, he later began using percocet. Daddy Yankee began to criticize Nicky Jam’s behavior and alluded to his bandmate in songs, including the lyric “your courage depends on a pill” from the 2004 song “Santifica Tus Escapularios”. This led an incensed Nicky Jam to release a diss track in response that same year. Nicky Jam quickly regretted releasing the song, explaining, “That wasn’t a good choice, because he came with [2004 Billboard Hot 100 hit] ‘Gasolina.’ [I] looked stupid. He went his way, I went my way -- and obviously my way didn’t go very well.“Los Cangris separated in 2004 after a falling out between the two musicians.MAGAZINE,ew.com/music/2020/01/08/nicky-jam-daddy-yankee-new-album-los-cangris/, Nicky Jam and Daddy Yankee dropping new album as Los Cangris in 2020 on heels of reconciliation, Entertainment Weekly, Cordero, Rosy, January 8, 2020, April 17, 2020, June 9, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200609062421/https://ew.com/music/2020/01/08/nicky-jam-daddy-yankee-new-album-los-cangris/, live, After the breakup of Los Cangris, Nicky Jam struggled personally and professionally, calling himself the “embarrassment of the Latin Caribbean music industry”. Deeply depressed, Nicky Jam gained a significant amount of weight, eventually reaching 300 pounds (136 kg). He also experienced legal troubles, including a police chase in his car that was in the process of being repossessed. He took a job in a hotel, performing lounge music for tourists. Despite viewing this period to be his “lowest point”, the artist developed his singing voice during this time, learning to incorporate sung vocals into his music as opposed to strictly rapping.

2007–2016: Career renewal and successful singles

In 2007, Nicky Jam moved to Medellín, Colombia in an attempt to stop using drugs and focus on music. The musician was well received by the people in Medellín, and the singer reflected, “They made me feel like I was a legend. The boost they gave me made me want to be a better person. I started eating OK, I stopped drugs, I stopped alcohol. People came to love me because I was loving myself.” In 2010, Nicky Jam suffered a nearly fatal overdose that served as the impetus for him to quit using drugs completely. He lost 100 pounds (45 kg) and tattooed a significant portion of his body, including the entirety of his neck—which he considered a symbol of his recovery. Artistically, he drew influence from the romanticism of Colombian music, in particular the genre of vallenato. He also amended his friendship with Daddy Yankee after encountering him on a flight, where the two apologized to each other, and began touring together at the end of 2014.His songs “Voy a Beber” and “Travesuras” reinvigorated his career and led to his signing with Sony U.S. Latin. “Travesuras” was Nicky Jam’s first song to reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7677131/nicky-jam-fenix-no-1-top-latin-albums-chart, Nicky Jam’s ‘Fenix’ Lands at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums Chart, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Amaya, Mendizabal, February 2, 2017, February 15, 2018, May 12, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180512104650/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7677131/nicky-jam-fenix-no-1-top-latin-albums-chart, live, Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias contacted Nicky Jam to collaborate on the 2015 song “El Perdón”, which later won Nicky Jam his first Latin Grammy for Best Urban Performance. Nicky Jam was surprised when he received the phone call from Iglesias and initially hung up on him, believing the call to be a prank. The song peaked at number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 30 weeks on top of the Hot Latin Songs chart.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/hsi/, Billboard Hot 100 - Nicky Jam Chart History, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, April 17, 2020, November 18, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211118033300/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/hsi/, live, MAGAZINE, Fernandez, Suzette, Listen to ‘Despacito’, ‘Bailando’, ‘La Tortura’ & More of the Longest-Running Hot Latin Songs No. 1s,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8099172/longest-running-hot-latin-songs-number-ones-listen, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Prometheus Global Media, May 29, 2020, February 12, 2018, August 19, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200819164017/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8099172/longest-running-hot-latin-songs-number-ones-listen, live, His increased popularity during this time led Nicky Jam to reunite in 2015 with his mother who had been deported to the Dominican Republic; he had not seen her for more than twenty years.WEB,www.eonline.com/news/1114655/how-music-helped-nicky-jam-reunite-with-his-mom-after-20-years-apart, How Music Helped Nicky Jam Reunite With His Mom After 20 Years Apart, Vulpo, Mike, E! News, January 22, 2020, May 7, 2020, June 15, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200615182702/https://www.eonline.com/news/1114655/how-music-helped-nicky-jam-reunite-with-his-mom-after-20-years-apart, live, He recalled, “Most of my life, I was trying to be famous, do music to see if my mom could listen to me and see me...when [the reunion] happened, it was like a movie moment. My bodyguard was like, ‘There’s this woman outside. She’s fighting with everybody saying she’s your mom and she wants to see you’...and automatically, I knew it was her because I remembered her voice.” Nicky Jam was presented with the Warrior Spirit award at the 2015 Premios Tu Mundo for his “musical resilience”.MAGAZINE, Romero, Angie, Nicky Jam, Daddy Yankee Win Big at Premios Tu Mundo,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/6671058/premios-tu-mundo-winners-nicky-jam-daddy-yankee, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Prometheus Global Media, May 17, 2020, August 20, 2015, May 26, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200526095302/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/6671058/premios-tu-mundo-winners-nicky-jam-daddy-yankee, live, The following year, he recorded a remix of the 1992 song “De Pies a Cabeza” with Mexican rock band Maná, a collaboration Nicky Jam described as a “blessing”.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7460965/mana-nicky-jam-de-pies-a-cabeza, Mana & Nicky Jam Team Up for New Version of ‘De Pies A Cabeza’, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, August 3, 2016, May 8, 2020, August 19, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200819163842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7460965/mana-nicky-jam-de-pies-a-cabeza, live, In 2016, his song “Hasta el Amanecer” became his first song to reach one billion views on YouTube. The song won the Billboard Music Award for Top Latin Song at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. It also won the Urban Song of the Year and was nominated for Single of the Year at the 29th Lo Nuestro Awards.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7701901/premio-lo-nuestro-2017-full-winners-list, Premio Lo Nuestro 2017: See the Full Winners List, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Eldridge Industries, February 23, 2017, November 2, 2017, Griselda, Flores, July 7, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180707075758/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7701901/premio-lo-nuestro-2017-full-winners-list, live, Fénix“>

2017: Fénix

File:Nicky Jam Fenix Mural.png|thumb|left|The mural of Nicky Jam in Medellín, Colombia that later became the cover of his 2017 album Fénix (mural photographed in April 2018).]]On January 20, 2017, he released the album Fénix. The album cover consists of a mural painted in Medellín of Nicky Jam with the Spanish word for “Phoenix” (stylized ). This mural was painted by fans without Nicky Jam’s knowledge, and upon discovering the existence of the mural, Nicky Jam was so moved that he proclaimed on Instagram that he would make the mural the cover of his next album. Fénix, a symbol of the artist’s career rebirth, debuted at the top of the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. The album reached the top of the Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart on February 11, 2017, and stayed on the chart for a total of 142 weeks.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/lrh/, Nicky Jam - Latin Rhythm Albums Chart History, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, May 8, 2020, December 10, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221210013514/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/lrh/, live, The record was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, losing to Salsa Big Band by Rubén Blades with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7980672/latin-grammys-2017-nominations-full-list-residente-despacito, Residente, Maluma Lead Latin Grammy Nominations; ‘Despacito’ Earns 4 Nods, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, September 26, 2016, September 26, 2016, Cobo, Leila, September 27, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170927155020/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7980672/latin-grammys-2017-nominations-full-list-residente-despacito, live, Fénix featured collaborations from Sean Paul, El Alfa, J Balvin, and Kid Ink and included Nicky Jam’s first English-language songs “Without You” and “I Can’t Forget You”.WEB,www.vibe.com/2017/01/nicky-jam-fenix-review, Review: Nicky Jam Is Bound For Crossover Success With ‘Fénix’, Centeno, Tony M., January 25, 2017, May 8, 2020, Vibe, August 4, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200804174129/https://www.vibe.com/2017/01/nicky-jam-fenix-review, live, With the album, he hoped to maintain an organic reggaeton sound, feeling that genre had evolved into an overly “futuristic” sound in Puerto Rico. The previously released singles “El Perdón” and “Hasta el Amanecer” were included on the album in addition to the new singles “El Amante” and “Si Tú la Ves”, the latter featuring Wisin of reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel. The songs “El Amante” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, while “Si Tú la Ves” peaked at number 18 on the same chart.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/htl/, Nicky Jam - Hot Latin Songs Chart History, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, May 28, 2019, November 18, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20211118033259/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nicky-jam/chart-history/htl/, live, “El Amante” also reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Tony M. Centeno of Vibe praised the album by writing, “Despite the high demand for commercial, electronic club records, Jam manages to keep his integrity, remaining loyal to the lane he established for himself nearly 20 years ago.” Nicky Jam made his acting debut in 2017 in , the third release in the XXX action film series, acting alongside Vin Diesel.Íntimo“>

2018–present: “X” single and Íntimo

File:Live It Up at the close of the 2018 World Cup Russia.jpg|thumb|290px|Nicky Jam performing the 2018 World Cup’s official song “Live It Up”]]His collaboration with J Balvin, “X”, peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for “X” drew comparisons to Sean Paul’s “I’m Still in Love with You” and Drake’s “Hotline Bling”.WEB,www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2018/03/05/590275920/nicky-jam-and-j-balvin-show-off-their-footwork-in-x-video, Nicky Jam And J Balvin Show Off Their Footwork In ‘X’ Video, Madden, Sidney, NPR, March 25, 2018, May 11, 2018, May 12, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180512112232/https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2018/03/05/590275920/nicky-jam-and-j-balvin-show-off-their-footwork-in-x-video, live, The video debuted at the number one spot on YouTube’s global music chart and amassed more than 200 million views in two weeks.WEB,www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/reggaeton-revolution-here-nicky-jam-saw-it-coming-n863371, The reggaeton revolution is here, and Nicky Jam saw it coming, Pierre-Bravo, Daniela, April 20, 2018, April 17, 2020, NBC News, November 17, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181117160901/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/reggaeton-revolution-here-nicky-jam-saw-it-coming-n863371, live, Nicky Jam performed the song with J Balvin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon while Jimmy Fallon danced onstage with the two singers.MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-jimmy-fallon-dance-to-x-onstage-with-j-balvin-nicky-jam-705867/, Watch Jimmy Fallon Dance to ‘X’ Onstage With J Balvin, Nicky Jam, Rolling Stone, Zemler, Emily, August 2, 2018, May 3, 2020, August 5, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200805215846/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-jimmy-fallon-dance-to-x-onstage-with-j-balvin-nicky-jam-705867/, live, Reacting to the success of the song, Nicky Jam divulged, “I knew our music was going to be big, but I didn’t think it was going to be the way it is now.” Nicky Jam collaborated with Will Smith, Diplo and Era Istrefi for the official 2018 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Live It Up”. The song received mixed reviews, as critics derided the song’s “generic message”.WEB,www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/05/25/614394358/is-will-smith-nicky-jam-diplo-and-eria-istrefis-world-cup-anthem-good-who-cares, Flanagan, Andrew, Is Will Smith, Nicky Jam, Diplo And Era Istrefi’s World Cup Anthem Good? Who Cares?, National Public Radio, May 25, 2018, April 17, 2020, January 21, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200121112904/https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/05/25/614394358/is-will-smith-nicky-jam-diplo-and-eria-istrefis-world-cup-anthem-good-who-cares, live, WEB,www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/russia-world-cup-song-live-it-up-review-will-smith-nicky-jam-era-istrefi-a8368966.html,ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/russia-world-cup-song-live-it-up-review-will-smith-nicky-jam-era-istrefi-a8368966.html, June 20, 2022, subscription, live, Official World Cup song review: ‘Live It Up’ with Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi is almost unlistenable, O’Connor, Roisin, The Independent, May 25, 2018, April 17, 2020, Nicky Jam starred in the Netflix biographical series (Nicky Jam: El Ganador), which explored the artist’s struggles with drug addiction and his rise to fame and premiered in November 2018.MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/nicky-jam-daddy-yankee-los-cangris-muevelo-video-934173/, Nicky Jam, Daddy Yankee Reunite as Los Cangris in Defiant ‘Muévelo’ Video, Rolling Stone, April 17, 2020, Exposito, Suzy, January 8, 2020, April 6, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200406160832/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/nicky-jam-daddy-yankee-los-cangris-muevelo-video-934173/, live, In October 2019, Nicky Jam previewed the release of his documentary, Behind Nicky Jam’s Íntimo, which was produced through Apple Music.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8533699/nicky-jam-intimo-apple-music-documentary, Nicky Jam to Unveil His ‘Intimo’ Journey Via Apple Music Documentary, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, October 21, 2019, April 17, 2020, Fernandez, Suzette, January 7, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200107093627/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8533699/nicky-jam-intimo-apple-music-documentary, live, He released the album Íntimo on November 1, 2019. It contained the singles “X”, “Atrévete” featuring Sech, and “Whine Up” featuring Anuel AA.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8542056/viva-friday-playlist-nicky-jam-intimo, Viva Friday Playlist: Nicky Jam’s ‘Intimo’ Album & More, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, November 1, 2019, April 17, 2020, August 19, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200819164309/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8542056/viva-friday-playlist-nicky-jam-intimo, live, Billboard called the album “17 songs of pure reggaeton magic”. In November 2019, he renewed his contract with Sony Music Latin.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8544279/nicky-jam-renews-sony-music-latin-deal-announcement, Nicky Jam Renews Multi-Million Dollar Contract With Sony Music Latin & Confirms ‘Los Cangris’ Comeback With Daddy Yankee, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, November 20, 2019, April 17, 2020, April 28, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200428075809/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8544279/nicky-jam-renews-sony-music-latin-deal-announcement, live, He collaborated with Daddy Yankee on the song “Muévelo” which samples Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze’s 1994 hit, “Here Comes the Hotstepper”. The video, filmed in Miami, serves as an homage to the period in the 1990s in which reggaeton was criminalized in Puerto Rico. The song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Bad Boys for Life. Nicky Jam played villain Zway-Lo in the film, which was released on January 17, 2020. In March 2020, Nicky Jam was honored with the annual Career Achievement Award at the Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020 hosted by Telemundo.MAGAZINE,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/premios-tu-musica-urbano-2020-winners-daddy-yankee-ozuna-962877/, Premios Tu Música Urbano 2020: Top Winners Include Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Exposito, Suzy, March 6, 2020, May 3, 2020, Rolling Stone, May 1, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200501160233/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/premios-tu-musica-urbano-2020-winners-daddy-yankee-ozuna-962877/, live, Nicky Jam appeared on Bad Bunny’s surprise album Las que no iban a salir, released in May 2020.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9374973/bad-bunny-drops-surprise-new-album-las-que-no-iban-a-salir-stream-it-here, Bad Bunny Drops Surprise New Album ‘Las Que No Iban a Salir’: Stream It Here, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, Peters, Mitchell, May 10, 2020, May 14, 2020, May 23, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200523212719/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9374973/bad-bunny-drops-surprise-new-album-las-que-no-iban-a-salir-stream-it-here, live, In August 2021, Jam announced that his first official post-pandemic tour will kick off in early 2022. The ‘Infinity’ Tour will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada, starting Feb. 3, 2022, at Boston’s Agganis Arena.MAGAZINE, Roiz, Jessica, Nicky Jam Hitting the Road on 2022 ‘Infinity’ Tour: See Dates,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9616109/nicky-jam-infinity-2020-tour-dates/, August 17, 2021, August 18, 2021, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, August 17, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210817233038/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9616109/nicky-jam-infinity-2020-tour-dates/, live,

Musical style and influences

{{Listen|filename=Nicky_Jam_-_Travesuras.ogg|title=“Travesuras” (2014)|description=One of the first hits upon revitalizing his career in Medellín, the song demonstrates the melodic style the singer adopted upon his relocation as well as his reggaeton influences.|format=Ogg|filename2=Nicky_Jam_X_Sample.ogg|title2 = “X” (2018)|description2=Nicky Jam’s collaboration with J Balvin features a synth trumpet hook and elements of reggae, reggaeton, Latin pop and Afrobeats. The song’s music video debuted at the number one spot on YouTube’s global music chart and amassed more than 200 million views in two weeks.|format2=Ogg}}Nicky Jam’s music has been classified as Latin trapNEWS, Lopez, Julyssa, February 28, 2019, Record labels said Latin trap was ‘going nowhere.’ Billions of YouTube views proved them wrong.,www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/record-labels-said-latin-trap-was-going-nowhere-billions-of-youtube-views-proved-them-wrong/2019/02/28/9d614286-2ee7-11e9-813a-0ab2f17e305b_story.html, Washington Post, February 26, 2020, February 12, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200212043023/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/record-labels-said-latin-trap-was-going-nowhere-billions-of-youtube-views-proved-them-wrong/2019/02/28/9d614286-2ee7-11e9-813a-0ab2f17e305b_story.html, live, and reggaeton.WEB,www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/04/nicky-jam-hip-hop-junkie-interview/, Reggaeton Star Nicky Jam Imagines a Latin Trap Freshman Class, Tony M., Centeno, April 24, 2020, XXL (magazine), XXL, April 10, 2019, April 9, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200409064100/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/04/nicky-jam-hip-hop-junkie-interview/, live, Veronica Villafañe of Forbes wrote that Nicky Jam is considered “one of the architects of the Latino urban music movement”.WEB,www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2020/01/17/nicky-jam-says-role-on-bad-boys-for-life-and-reuniting-with-daddy-yankee-is-perfect-timing/#6c060ea47441, Nicky Jam Says Role In ‘Bad Boys For Life’ And Reunion With Daddy Yankee Are Perfect Timing, Forbes, Villafañe, Veronica, January 17, 2020, May 3, 2020, August 4, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200804143416/https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2020/01/17/nicky-jam-says-role-on-bad-boys-for-life-and-reuniting-with-daddy-yankee-is-perfect-timing/#6c060ea47441, live, His music has been noted for both eliciting a party atmosphere and embracing overt sentimentality. His career began in the mid-1990s, when reggaeton was in its beginning stages in Puerto Rico. While his early releases exemplified the sound of old-school reggaeton that drew massive popularity in Puerto Rico, Eduardo Cepeda of Remezcla wrote that Nicky Jam’s “sound has shifted from hard-hitting dembow...to more velvety rhythms and romantic lyrics”.WEB,www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a32223734/nicky-jam-songs/, 10 of the Best Nicky Jam Songs to Listen to After Netflix’s “El Ganador”, O Magazine, April 21, 2020, May 3, 2020, Castillo, Stephanie, April 28, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200428042627/https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a32223734/nicky-jam-songs/, live, His lyrics have also been described by Billboard as “catchy and flirtatious”.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7334217/nicky-jam-flirtatious-lyrics, 10 of Nicky Jam’s Most Flirtatious Lyrics, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, April 18, 2016, May 4, 2020, August 19, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200819163824/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7334217/nicky-jam-flirtatious-lyrics, live, His earliest musical influence was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video; he recalls that “I knew automatically when I saw Michael Jackson do ‘Thriller’ as a little kid that I wanted people to fall in love with my music.” The artist’s first exposure to Caribbean music occurred upon seeing family members dancing to reggae at a house party hosted by his parents. Upon his relocation to Medellín, Nicky Jam adopted a more melodic, romantic approach to his music, inspired by Colombian genres such as vallenato. He has also expressed admiration for American soul singer Al Green, who he says inspired him to discuss romantic themes in his music. Other artists who have influenced Nicky Jam include Prince, Jay-Z, Jenni Rivera and Shakira.WEB, Univision, Nicky Jam: “Soy fan de Shakira desde hace 15 años”,www.univision.com/shows/despierta-america/nicky-jam-soy-fan-de-shakira-desde-hace-15-anos-video, 2022-07-25, Univision, spanish, July 7, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220707144300/https://www.univision.com/shows/despierta-america/nicky-jam-soy-fan-de-shakira-desde-hace-15-anos-video, live, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001) “gave [him] an idea of how to do [his] albums in the Spanish market and give [his] fans that kind of vibe”. He became a fan of Mexican rock band Maná in 1992 during the beginning stage of his career and describes the members of the group as his “idols”.

Personal life

Nicky Jam has four children, born in 2002, 2002, 2005, and 2012. He married his girlfriend of two years, Angélica Cruz, in a private Catholic ceremony in Medellín in February 2017.WEB,www.latintimes.com/nicky-jam-wedding-reggaeton-singer-marries-girlfriend-two-years-angelica-cruz-411393, Nicky Jam Wedding: Reggaeton Singer Marries Girlfriend Of Two Years Angelica Cruz In Colombia, Latin Times, Gómez, Shirley, February 6, 2017, May 4, 2020, March 24, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200324224343/https://www.latintimes.com/nicky-jam-wedding-reggaeton-singer-marries-girlfriend-two-years-angelica-cruz-411393, live, J Balvin and Vin Diesel attended the wedding, which featured performances by reggaeton group Gente de Zona and salsa singer Jerry Rivera. In August 2018, the couple filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.WEB,www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article226189645.html, Rumors confirmed: Reggaeton star Nicky Jam is separated from his wife, Miami Herald, August 30, 2018, May 4, 2020, August 3, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210803230016/https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article226189645.html, live, That same month, he purchased a house in the Palm Island area of Miami Beach for US$3.4 million.WEB,www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article226189595.html, Reggaeton star Nicky Jam just bought a $3.4 million crib in Palm Island, The Miami Herald, Abravanel, Lesley, August 20, 2018, May 11, 2020, August 3, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210803230017/https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article226189595.html, live, On Valentine’s Day 2020, Nicky Jam became engaged to model Cydney Moreau.MAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8551128/nicky-jam-proposes-cydney-moreau-engagement, Nicky Jam Is Engaged! Watch His Sweet Valentine’s Day Proposal To Girlfriend Cydney Moreau, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, February 15, 2020, May 4, 2020, May 2, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200502123634/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8551128/nicky-jam-proposes-cydney-moreau-engagement, live, The couple met on the set of his music video for “Atrévete”, an encounter which the singer described as “love at first sight”. After posting a photo alone on Valentine’s Day 2021, Nicky Jam confirmed that he and Moreau are no longer together. In an interview with Vibe, he stated that he has attention-deficit disorder. He dated Livia Rici, Nati Torres, and Paulina Cruz.

Discography

Studio albums

• Vida escante (2004)
• The Black Carpet (2007)
• Fénix (2017)
• Íntimo (2019)
• Infinity (2021)

Filmography {| class“wikitable sortable”

! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes| 2017| | Lazarus| Film| 2017The Keys of ChristmasHTTPS://WWW.LATINTIMES.COM/MARIAH-CAREY-FIFTH-HARMONY-NICKY-JAM-MORE-APPEAR-YOUTUBES-KEYS-CHRISTMAS-SPECIAL-406243 DATE=DECEMBER 5, 2016 LANGUAGE=EN ARCHIVE-DATE=DECEMBER 29, 2018 URL-STATUS=LIVE, | Himself| Film| 2018| (Nicky Jam: El Ganador)| Himselfbiographical film>Biographical television seriesTREJOS>FIRST1=CAROLINAURL=HTTP://PEOPLEENESPANOL.COM/TELEVISION/NICKY-JAM-EL-GANADOR-SERIE-BIOGRAFIA-TELEMUNDO/PUBLISHER=PEOPLE EN ESPAñOLLANGUAGE=ESARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20170519211221/HTTP://PEOPLEENESPANOL.COM/TELEVISION/NICKY-JAM-EL-GANADOR-SERIE-BIOGRAFIA-TELEMUNDO/, live, | 2020| Bad Boys for Life| Lorenzo “Zway-Lo” RodriguezDATE=JANUARY 18, 2019 WEBSITE=VARIETY (MAGAZINE) >LANGUAGE=EN ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20190119174400/HTTPS://VARIETY.COM/2019/FILM/NEWS/BAD-BOYS-SEQUEL-NICKY-JAM-1203111208/, live, |2021 Tom & Jerry (2021 film)>Tom & JerryACCESS-DATE=DECEMBER 5, 2020 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20201203170851/HTTPS://SPOILER.BOLAVIP.COM/AMP/CINE/NICKY-JAM-REVELO-QUE-PERSONAJE-INTERPRETARA-EN-TOM-Y-JERRY-LA-PELICULA-20201202-0011.HTML, live, |Film

Awards and nominations

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

• {{Official websitenickyjampr.net/}}
• {{IMDb name|7500905}}

{{Nicky Jam}}{{Premios Juventud for Voice of the Moment}}{{Authority control}}{{good article}}