Latin Grammy “Best New Artist Nominee” Nicki Nicole has been killing the exploding urban music scene in Argentina. The 20-year-old Spotify Award winner has been quickly picking up international stardom and has even been selected for Billboard’s ‘21 Under 21’ and Entertainment Tonight’s ‘LatinX Artists on the Rise’. The Argentine native’s music has garnered more than 300 Million streams internationally and has even surpassed 6.6 Million Instagram followers (@nicki.nicole). Best known for her hit “Wapo Traketero,” the singer/songwriter/rapper most recently released a reggae-inspired bop called “Verte” (“Seeing You) with none other than Argentinian reggae artist Dread Mar I and her frequent collaborator Bizzarap.
The Knockturnal: Thank you for being here with us and taking the time to talk to us. I know you have a new single coming out but for those that might not be familiar with you, tell us about your start in music.
Nicki Nicole: Thank you guys for interviewing me! My career hasn’t been that lengthy but I’d say it pretty much started about a year ago when I launched my first single “Wapo Traketero”. I feel like something happened there that changed my life. Everyone started to listen to the song and I began to grow very quickly and without very much progression. It felt like it happened overnight. After that I met Bizarrap and I met other artists and I kept making music. Once Bizarrap and I did a session it just went to a whole other level. From there, people started to get crazy and I didn’t really understand what was happening.
The Knockturnal: At what age did you realize this is what you wanted to do?
Nicki Nicole: In reality, I’ve always been on this path without really even realizing it. I’ve always been more artsy than musically inclined at first. I went to an art school and I liked art but when I decided 100% to do music I’d say around when I was 17 was when I started making music with friends. I never thought I’d be able to live off it but I knew then that it was something I wanted to do.
The Knockturnal: And the rest is history right? Tell me us a little bit about the music scene in Argentina.
Nicki Nicole: There’s a lot of ages and genres. I’d say now the trap wave is what’s really booming. This genre wasn’t really popular here, but there’s also a bunch of different genres anyway. Argentina has been known for rock and other types of music but now the younger generation is having a higher power. It’s crazy because I feel like back then bands had more time to prepare for things than artists do now. Bands had more of a gradual success whereas now it’s like suddenly everyone wants to go to your show. I think that’s what happening in Argentina right now for artists who get discovered. It happens very quickly. Also, the unity here is very impressive. Fellow Argentinian artists have been supportive and very understanding.
The Knockturnal: I feel like trap music in the Spanish language has been so popularized because of places like Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Miami. How does it feel to represent Argentina and be honored and nominated with accolades? You were nominated for the Latin Grammys, you won a Spotify Award, among other things… Argentina has always been on the map but how does it feel to now have this worldwide recognition?
Nicki Nicole: In reality, I feel like it’s a weight I don’t want to assume or realize. I feel like if you realize or assume that you have worldwide recognition it might give you a sense of pressure that you have all these eyes balls watching you, following you, and wanting to know about you. So I try not to think too much about it. I am aware though that I might be an example to a lot of people so I try to be cautious with what I say and how I express myself because at the end of the day my opinions aren’t necessarily correct. It’s just what I think. I’m just a regular person who has opinions like anyone else but people always tend to think that when a public figure has an opinion about something it’s taken more seriously or you’re judged for it. So whenever I say things I don’t want it to be taken that way because I’m only 20 and I know I probably will make mistakes and will learn from them. A year ago I never thought I’d be in the position I am in now and you never know when it’s going to be over you know? You never know how long this will last so I also do want to enjoy these moments.
The Knockturnal: I love how humble and honest you are about this all because a lot of people recognize and might talk about their influence but might not be open to share and talk about the pressure that can come with it. So I love that you speak about it that way because it’s the reality. Especially at such a young age, it’s a lot to deal with. Talk to us a little bit about your single, “Verte” and your new music video.
Nicki Nicole: Verte is a song we did with Bizarrap and Dread Mar I in Miami. I really wanted to collab with someone like Dread Mar I. He is like an argentine Reggae legend and has such a way about him. He is someone that I’d knew about since I was little and my mom listened to when I was younger. So it was very surreal to be able to make something with someone you used to feel was so out of reach. Especially a song that is so cool and reminds me of my childhood is incredible and brings me a lot of joy. I was scared that the song wouldn’t come out good or that he wouldn’t like the ideas and he would like to just make music with someone else, but everything went well and he was such an amazing person. Besides, Bizarrap had the perfect beat, the music video was awesome, and I think it’s one of the best collaborations I’ve done so far.
The Knockturnal: The cool thing about this is that sometimes these things do feel out of reach like you said but now that you’re in this position you realize that all your dreams and goals are not as far they used to seem. What other artists are on your radar? Maybe, someone else you are a fan of and someone you want to collab with in the future?
Nicki Nicole: I feel like I dream big for example Harry Styles is someone. Drake… yes those icons are I’d love to but at the same time, I do want to feel them a little bit out of reach because if I start to think that I can reach it easy then maybe I won’t be too excited when that day comes. I feel like I’d rather keep it at that feeling cause then when it does happen I will be more excited. It’s all in the mindset you know? If not it gets boring.
The Knockturnal: You’re absolutely right it’s about perspective sometimes and sometimes it’s more exciting when things are left to that surprise as opposed to getting used to it. What about anyone in the Hispanic world?
Nicki Nicole: Rosalia would be great. I haven’t gotten the chance to meet her yet, but that would be awesome. I also really like Nathy Peluso who is an incredible artist. There are a few people that I’ve actually been able to do a featuring with but I just don’t think I’m able to say it yet.
The Knockturnal: If it’s a secret then yeah we get it.
Nicki Nicole: A lot of the people I’d want to collaborate with in the future are in the Hispanic world and I’ve been lucky enough to have met already. The ones I haven’t been able to collab with yet I’ve at least talk to about some things so hopefully sometime in the near future.
The Knockturnal: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us. Take care! Happy Holidays!
Nicki Nicole: Likewise, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
