One of contemporary Latin rap’s most ubiquitous names, Nicki Nicole is – undoubtedly, indelibly – a superstar. She talks to Ben Tibbits about luck, Amy Winehouse, and closing a chapter.
You rarely have to scroll far through your social media to find a mention of Nicki Nicole. The Argentinian rapper is everywhere right now – whether in the fashion world, the tabloids, or, of course, in the music press. Across the past five years or so, the 25-year-old has taken her country’s rap scene to new heights, culminating in last year’s playful, trap-adjacent album, NAIKA.
The Sony-released album has not only received a nod at this year’s Latin Grammys – set to take place in Las Vegas later today (November 13) with Wonderland on the ground, but also at the Anglo Grammys, nominated alongside Bad Bunny, J Balvin and more for Best Música Urbana Album.
Nicole isn’t caught up in her triumphs, though. She will never rest on her laurels. Instead, she’s using the success of the body of work as a launchpad, ambitious to achieve further artistic enlightenment, pinpointing a desire to dive into more complex, introspective music for the next album. She’s closed a chapter with NAIKA, and is currently in the process of mapping out what’s next – musically, personally, spiritually.
Taking five minutes out of a brief, busy trip to Vegas for the Latin Grammys, she drops by the Encore Hotel before the ceremony, revealing her love for Amy Winehouse, discussing how she finds empowerment in female rap, and pinpointing what inspires her.
Listen to NAIKA…
Read the exclusive interview…
Well, first of all, we’re in Las Vegas. What is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to you?
Firstly, to be present, to be here is already something of luck. Also, to have a nomination for the Anglo Grammys, so that’s of course something that I’m really proud of and lucky for. This album is really personal to me, and it took me to this place and to the Grammy nominations.
What stage of your career do you feel like this album is? Where do we find you on this album?
I feel like with this album I’m closing a cycle. Now I’m moving into a new stage where everything is much more conceptual from next year. [On NAIKI] the lyrics are more playful, whereas the album I’m working on next is going for more deep, meaningful lyrics. I’m going to change.
As a female rapper in a male-dominated scene, do you feel that you have to work more to prove yourself? Do you think that the way you are respected has improved?
Well, I feel that respect is more present, but there is no less machismo in the industry in general as women. It’s an industry wide phenomenon. With this album, NAIKI, I was making lyrics over trap music that are more playful and fanciful, and many people called me out to tell me I shouldn’t make those kinds of lyrics. But I see many men using those kinds of lyrics and they don’t have the same critics. But now that my album, as being a woman, is nominated for the Latin and Anglo Grammys, those people will take me more seriously.
What makes you want to create? What inspires you?
It’s not a choice – it’s like a need to create new things and also to look for new challenges. But what inspires me are the other women in the industry. I’m always looking for challenges, specifically those challenges that come as inspiration from the women that were before me. Women that had to go through a lot and still make it to where they are right now. I feel that I keep growing while I face all of this. It’s never enough – for women, not just for me.
Who is your favourite UK artist?
Amy [Winehouse] and Central Cee. They are from different worlds but they show my versatility and think they are the two sides of my personality. Amy is the more romantic side of me, and Central Ce represents my gangster type of side. So both sides represent me.
Words – Ben Tibbits
