Nicky Jam

Nicky Jam ranks among the most active figures shaping reggaeton and Latin trap, a hit-charting and award-winning vocalist and composer whose partnerships extend across an extensive roster of artists that includes Daddy Yankee, Farruko, J Balvin, and numerous additional performers. His independent releases encompass the widely circulated albums Vida Escante (2004) and The Black Carpet (2007) together with the self-issued The Black Mixtape (2009). The 2016 single “Hasta el Amanecer,” distinguished by its signature catchy, romantic, melodic hooks, has accumulated more than a billion views for its official video. The 2017 album Fénix earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, while Íntimo (2019) attained platinum status in three countries. Returning in 2021 with the full-length Infinity, he sustained chart presence through singles such as “Sin Novia” (2022) and “Toy a Mil” (2023).

Born Nick Rivera Caminero on March 17, 1981, in Boston, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Barrio Obrero, Puerto Rico, at age ten. His father traces Puerto Rican roots and his mother Dominican heritage. Like many peers of his generation, he entered the reggaeton scene in the 1990s and built recognition through the mixtape circuit, appearing on several landmark releases led by DJ Playero near the turn of the century. Early solo projects such as Haciendo Escante (2001), which featured fellow DJ Playero protégé Daddy Yankee on the title track, positioned him as an emerging presence in reggaeton, yet Vida Escante (2004) delivered mainstream breakthrough, especially after its 2005 reissue with bonus material. The follow-up The Black Carpet (2007) likewise resonated, yielding one of his major successes, “Gas Pela” featuring RKM.

Notwithstanding prior achievements, he sought further growth and relocated to Colombia in 2010, an adjustment that delivered the needed career renewal and generated a sequence of underground successes including “Tu Primera Vez,” “Curiosidad,” and “Voy a Beber.” Consistent chart returns followed in 2014 with “Travesuras” and in early 2015 with “Si Tu No Estas,” both featured on Greatest Hits, Vol. 1. His spring 2015 duet with Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdón,” marked his first single to reach number one on the Latin charts and also registered on the pop charts. Following honors at the 2015 Latin American Music Awards and Latin Grammy Awards plus the 2016 Lo Nuestro Awards, he prepared his first studio album since 2007. Released on Sony Music in 2017, the multi-platinum Fénix included contributions from Sean Paul, J Balvin, Wisin, Daddy Yankee, Arcangel, Enrique Iglesias, and others; it reached the Top 30 of the Billboard 200 and topped the Latin Albums chart, his initial entry on that ranking.

The 2018 single “X” featuring J Balvin preceded a remix that added Maluma and Ozuna. Additional standalone tracks issued that year comprised “Satisfaccion” with Bad Bunny and Arcangel, “Good Vibes” with Fuego, and “Jaleo” with Steve Aoki. Closing the year, he released the charting “Te Robaré” featuring Ozuna. Featured appearances included Ozuna’s “Haciéndolo,” the Ginza remix of J Balvin’s “Bruuttal,” and Loud Luxury’s “Body on My” with Brando and Pitbull.

Activity continued unabated into 2019 with collaborations on Shaggy’s “Body Good,” Alejandro Sanz’s “Back in the City,” and the remix of Karol G’s “Mi Cama.” Digital singles issued across Caribbean and Latin American markets included “Mona Lisa” featuring Nacho, “Atrévete” featuring Sech, and “El Favor” with Dimelo Flow and Farruko featuring Sech, Zion, and Lunay. He also filmed Bad Boys for Life alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence while touring in support of the forthcoming sixth studio album Íntimo. A week before its November 2019 release, the documentary trailer Behind Nicky Jam’s Intimo offered an inside view of his struggles with drugs, near-loss of career momentum, and path to sobriety. Íntimo debuted at number three on the Latin Albums chart. The January 2020 single “Muévelo” featuring Daddy Yankee, part of the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack, led the Billboard Latin Airplay chart. Later that year came the platinum-certified “Polvo” featuring Myke Towers, followed in 2021 by “Fan de Tus Fotos” featuring Romeo Santos. Both tracks, along with the Jhay Cortez collaboration “Magnum,” appeared on the sixth album Infinity that August. The 2022 standalone singles “Ojos Rojos” and the Prince Royce- and Jay Wheeler-assisted “Si Te Preguntan...” preceded the 2023 arrivals “Toy a Mil” and “69.” He teamed with Trueno for the 2024 release “Cangrinaje.”