Nina Sky is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical duo composed of identical twins
Nicole and
Natalie Albino (born March 13, 1984).
Early life and career
Albino's parents moved to
New YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and were divorced when the girls were younger. They were born in Queens and grew up in Astoria, New York in a place called Marine Terrace
Because their stepfather worked as a DJ, the twins were influenced by different types of
musicMusic is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. When the sisters were only 7 years old, they wrote their first song, "Sisters", and by the time they were 10, they already knew that they wanted to become singers.
The twins' parents were very supportive of their daughters' ambitions. Their stepfather even gave them
guitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and
drumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
lessons. They were taken to
auditionAn audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist.Audition may also refer to:* The sense of hearing* Adobe Audition, audio editing software...
s and, on some occasions, they even performed on some showcases. The sisters wanted to devise a name of their own. In using the first two
syllableA syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
s of their names ("Ni" and "Na"), they came up with Nina. They then added Sky, which for them represented "the sky's the limit".
2004–2006: Nina Sky
In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced the girls to
Cipha SoundsCipha Sounds is an American radio and television personality of Puerto Rican descent...
, a
hip hopHip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
DJ under the
Star Trak labelStar Trak Entertainment is a record label, founded by record producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams in 2001. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Interscope Records.-Beginnings:...
owned by
The NeptunesThe Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
(Pharrell and
Chad HugoCharles Edward Hugo is an American musician and record producer. He is best known as one half of the music production and writing duo The Neptunes and as a member of the funk/rock band N.E.R.D. He is a saxophonist, pianist and guitarist...
). Cipha Sounds was impressed when he heard the girls sing and suggested that they use the "Coolie Dance"
riddimRiddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for...
. The twins then proceeded to write "Move Ya Body" (along with The Jettsonz, who also produced the record), mixing
CaribbeanThe Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, R&B, and pop rhythms. Eventually, a
demoA demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
of the song was made. The demo fell into the hands of Eddie O'Loughlin, the president of Next Plateau Entertainment (which is a division of
Universal RecordsUniversal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
). O'Loughlin signed the twins to a contract and they started working on their debut album.
The single "
Move Ya Body"Move Ya Body" is the debut single from Nina Sky's debut album Nina Sky, which was released in 2004. The song features rapper Jabba. There is a remix to the song with Jamaican deejay Vybz Kartel. The song ranked at #250 on Blender's 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.-Song information:The song...
" was released on April 27, 2004 and reached number 17 on the
Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. Urban music and rhythmic top 40 stations quickly added the song to their play lists, sending the song up the charts. By July 17, "Move Ya Body" had gone to the top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic and had also reached the top 5 of a world combined R&B chart based on the US, UK, Germany, France and Australia. The song had also reached the top 50 of the Australian charts. On June 29, 2004 they released their first
self-titled albumNina Sky is the debut album by hip-hop/reggaeton group Nina Sky. The album debuted on Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts at #44. The album went on to sell 341,000 copies according to Nielsen Soundscan." The lead single Move Ya Body went on to receive a RIAA Gold Certification...
, featuring
Betty WrightBessie Regina Norris, better known by her stage name, Betty Wright , is a Grammy winning Miami-based soul and R&B singer-songwriter, who won fame in the 1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is the Night"...
.
The twins, Natalie and Nicole continued to work and promote their music. They have contributed to the
reggaetonReggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
movement with songs such as "
Oye Mi Canto"Oye Mi Canto" is a Reggaeton single by N.O.R.E.. The song was originally released in 2004 as the lead single from the album 1 Fan a Day, which is heretofore unreleased. It is his second biggest hit, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on the 2006 album N.O.R.E. y la...
", and "Más Maíz" with artist and producer
N.O.R.E.Victor Santiago, Jr., best known by his stage name N.O.R.E. or Noreaga , is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent...
They were also featured artist on Sean Paul's song "Connection" from his album "The Trinity"
2007–present: second album and The Other Side
Nina Sky collaborated with French singer Kenza Farah for the song "Celle Qu'Il Te Faut", and was released in both French and English versions. The video was shot in New York.
Nina Sky was recording on their second studio album,
Starting Today. The album was originally due on July 27, 2007. Producers include
StereotypesStereotypes are a R&B/hip hop/dance production team created in 2003, composed of Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus and Jeremy Reeves. They were listed as Top 10 Songwriters and Producers to Watch in the June 5, 2010 Billboard magazine. The first artists on their production company/label is Far*East...
, Bruno & Phil,
Neo da MatrixNeo Da Matrix is an American hip hop producer born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but attended Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He has worked with Swizz Beatz as an in-house producer for Ruff Ryders Entertainment and has produced for the likes of Cassidy...
,
Ryan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
,
Salaam RemiSalaam Remi Gibbs, better known as Salaam Remi, is a hip hop producer and keyboard player, known for his association with Nas, Amy Winehouse, and his reggae-tinged approach to production...
, and more. Guests include
Rick RossRick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
and others that have yet to be announced. In late 2007, Nina Sky left their label, Universal, and signed with
Polo Grounds MusicPolo Grounds Music is a hip hop and R&B record label Polo Grounds Music is a full service entertainment company with a focus in publishing, management, marketing and promotions...
/
J RecordsJ Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
.
Nina Sky have also put together remixes of popular songs including
J. HolidayNahum Grymes better known by his stage name J. Holiday, is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He came into prominence in 2007 with his breakthrough hit "Bed" peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Discography:...
's "
BedA bed is a large piece of furniture used as a place to sleep, relax, or engage in sexual relations.Most modern beds consist of a mattress on a bed frame, with the mattress resting either on a solid base, often wooden slats, or a sprung base...
,"
Elliott YaminElliott Yamin , born Efraym Elliott Yamin, is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of American Idol....
's "
Wait For You"Wait for You" is a song by former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin. It is the first official single from his self-titled album Elliott Yamin .-Song information:...
", Cassidy's "
My Drink n My 2 Step"My Drink n My 2 Step" is the first single off rapper Cassidy's third album B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story. The song is produced by and features Swizz Beatz. Some sources have titled the song as "It's On ". The song can be heard on Cassidy's MySpace or . The song samples Doug E. Fresh's...
, and
The-DreamTerius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
's I Love Your Girl" They have also worked with Brooklyn MC
Red CafeJermaine Denny , better known as his stage name Red Café, is an American rapper. He was born to Afro-Guyanese parents and is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik, Diddy's Bad Boy Records and DJ Clue's Desert Storm label.-Biography:...
on his street album
The Co-Op, and
The AlchemistAlan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California...
on his song "Key To The City"
Nina Sky recently appeared on
Major LazerMajor Lazer is a collaborative musical project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch.-Background:Made up of DJs Diplo and Switch, the two were introduced after working with M.I.A.. The duo's first album Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do was released on June 16, 2009, on Downtown Records. It was...
's album,
Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers DoGuns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do is the debut full-length album by Major Lazer, collaborative music project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch. The album is heavily influenced by Jamaican dancehall music and features guest appearances from Jamaican artists on every track.-Reception:Rhapsody...
. They are currently in a battle with their record company
Polo Grounds RecordsPolo Grounds Music is a hip hop and R&B record label Polo Grounds Music is a full service entertainment company with a focus in publishing, management, marketing and promotions...
, over the release of their new album "Starting Today". They have said they want to be released from their contract with the label because the label no longer supports them.
In 2010, Nicole Albino revealed she was openly
homosexualLesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
and married female fashion designer, Erin Magee. The couple had dated since 2009; in an interview with
Inked Magazine, Magee revealed that she had her last name legally changed to Nicole's and had gotten a tattoo of the name across her right breast.
With a new masculine (and as the public termed "butched up") style, the duo independently released an 8 track EP for digital download in August, entitled "The Other Side", which features production from
DJ YonnyDJ Yonny is an American DJ, producer and remixer on New York City's radio station WXRK.Ávila was born in Queens, New York but raised in Wilmington, Delaware...
, Salaam Remi, Kidz in the Hall & many more. A video for the lead-single, "You Ain't Got It (Funk That)" was also released. In early 2011 they worked with Creep on their song 'You'. On May 16, they released the music video on their official website.
They have recently confirmed that a new EP is in the works.
Discography
- Nina Sky
Nina Sky is the debut album by hip-hop/reggaeton group Nina Sky. The album debuted on Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts at #44. The album went on to sell 341,000 copies according to Nielsen Soundscan." The lead single Move Ya Body went on to receive a RIAA Gold Certification...
(2004)
- The Other Side
The Other Side is an independently released EP by Nina Sky. After a falling-out with their record label, Polo Grounds Records, over the release of their second album Starting Today, they decided to release this EP independently through their official website. It features a remix of Beautiful...
(2010)
- Nina Sky's Second EP (2011)
See also