It's a misty Thursday afternoon in the bustling city of New York, and Nicki Nicole has been busy answering a relentless stream of interview questions from eager journalists. Despite having just wrapped up a marathon tour across Latin America and Europe, capped off by nine sold-out performances at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires that drew over 100,000 fanatical fans, one might expect her to be ready for a break. But mere hours before our conversation, she announced with gusto that her maiden US headline tour would be kicking off next month in the vibrant city of Mexico City.
You can see the unwavering focus in her vibrant green eyes, a testament to her unyielding dedication. What fuels her relentless pursuit of perfection is the unwavering support of her loyal fans, who have stood by her side since the very beginning.
This 23-year-old rising star, a triple threat as a singer, rapper, and songwriter, has firmly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in her native Argentina. Nicole Cucco prides herself on her refusal to be pigeonholed into any one musical genre, an approach that has catapulted her to the forefront of the multidimensional creative scene, bridging the gap between singing and rapping with ease.
With the announcement of her upcoming US tour, she's also treating fans to a brand-new musical offering that showcases her unique talents. Her first single of the year, "Ojos Verdes," is a heartfelt cumbia ballad inspired by personal experiences, possibly hinting at her recent public breakup with Peso Pluma. The lyrics resonate deeply, translating to: "But I brought out the best in you / And you realized it the day I left."
"From my childhood, I've been immersed in the melodies of cumbia, absorbing its depth and essence. My sole prior encounter with crafting a cumbia track was during my collaboration with the renowned band, Angeles Azules," she reminisces. "Now, I feel emboldened and fully equipped to craft my own unique tune, and this is my opportunity to shine brightly on my own stage."
Nicole's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, traversing vast distances in a blink of an eye. Her debut album, "Recuedros," released in 2019, was a vibrant tapestry of pop, soulful R&B, and urbano hues. Among its standout tracks was "Wapo Traketero," which catapulted her to international fame when she performed it on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" - marking a historical milestone as the first Argentine artist to ever grace the late-night stage.
Her sophomore album, "Parte de Mí," released in 2021, was a sonic adventure that seamlessly blended reggaeton, hip-hop, and upbeat pop melodies. The album boasted collaborations with esteemed artists like Rauw Alejandro, Mora, and Mon Lafarte, among others, further testament to her growing influence and musical prowess.
"ALMA," her self-exploratory album, is a cohesive blend of reggaeton, Latin R&B, and haunting ballads. It garnered a nomination for "Best Urban Album" at the prestigious 2023 Latin Grammys, highlighting her remarkable ascension in the music industry.
"The truth is, each album and song I release serves as a stepping stone in my musical evolution," she confesses. "If you listen closely to my first and third albums, you'll discern not only the remarkable vocal growth but also the profound transformation in my overall artistic vision and the way I express myself. It's a joy to witness people embrace and appreciate this journey of growth in my music."
Her fourth studio album remains a labor of love in progress, yet Nicole reveals that the overall vision for the project has already taken shape. "I refuse to constrain myself or rush through this album. I'm constantly discovering something fresh," she declares. "Even just spending a week in New York has yielded some truly remarkable songs." She continues, "For this upcoming project, the structure and melodies will be heavily influenced by hip-hop, R&B, and rap — these elements will be the cornerstone. But musically, beyond my next album, there are numerous surprises awaiting us this year."
Growing up, Nicole's musical palette was as diverse as the colors of a rainbow. She was nurtured by the melodies of tango, the rhythms of cumbia, the power of rock, and a wide array of genres. She confesses, "Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Kendrick Lamar are just a few of the artists who have left an indelible mark on my music. Although I've never ventured into rock music as a solo artist, it's a territory I'm eager to explore."
Nicole's love affair with hip-hop began at the tender age of 15, coinciding with her foray into freestyle battle competitions. She recalls being captivated by "The Get Down," the Netflix series chronicling the birth and ascendance of hip-hop in New York City, and yearning to delve deeper into the genre's origins.
"Prior to watching the series, I had a cursory understanding of hip-hop's history, but as I delved deeper, I found myself increasingly fascinated by this world," Nicole reminisces. "I started to immerse myself in rap music, and fell deeply in love with it all. It was a pity that there was only one season of the show."
At 17, the budding Nicki Nicole was already participating in freestyle competitions, honing her wordplay skills that are evident in her music today. Her roster of favorite rappers, past and present, includes the Nuyorican sensation Hurricane G, the lyrical genius Lauryn Hill, the powerful Ivy Queen, the charismatic Nathy Peluso, and her own sister, Sofía Gabanna. The rise of hip-hop culture in Argentina is not a recent phenomenon; it's been a vibrant movement for quite some time. Nicole is grateful for platforms like El Quinto Escalón, Argentina's preeminent rap competition that ran from 2012 to 2017 in Buenos Aires. This competition has been a breeding ground for talents like Duki, Paolo Londra, Milo J, and many others, each bringing their unique style and essence to the Argentine hip-hop landscape.
As a white Argentine woman, Nicole holds a profound understanding of the space she occupies - a realm that was originally carved out and defined by the Black community. Hip-hop, after all, is a rich tapestry of Black history, not something that was ever meant to be hers. Therefore, as an outsider venturing into this vibrant culture, it is paramount for her to navigate it with utmost care and respect, avoiding any form of cultural appropriation.
"This isn't my fight to begin with," she muses. "It's all too easy for anyone to co-opt a space that they didn't create, but I'll never presume ownership of a domain where I'm merely a guest." She continues, "Knowing the roots of hip-hop is crucial, giving visibility to the rich past of this culture and the countless remarkable rappers who have shaped it. Appropriating this space is something I never intend to do."
Nicole credits hip-hop and rap culture for helping her shed her inhibitions and hone her freestyling abilities. "Hip-hop, especially rap, has taught me how to express myself freely when freestyling," she shares. "Not just musically, but it's also taught me how to step out of my comfort zone. I was once extremely shy, but now everything I was afraid to say in person, I say through freestyling in the studio, in a battle. It's how I've learned to express myself, and it's even helped me socialize and communicate better in my personal life."
With a plethora of musical talents emerging from Argentina - artists like Cazzu, Emilia, Tiago PZK, Duki, Maria Becerra, and countless others - Nicki Nicole is proud of the greatness her country is producing. "I know that every Argentine artist who is putting in the hard work deserves all the recognition they get," she declares. "I know many of them personally, and it warms my heart to see the dedication and effort behind their success. They're chasing their dreams, and it's an honor to know them."
As Nicki Nicole gears up for her tour and dreams of world domination, she remains unfazed by any external distractions that might hinder her work. Nothing can stop her, except perhaps the opportunity to collaborate in the studio with legends like Tego Calderon or the electropop band Miranda - something she hopes will materialize one day. What keeps her grounded are her family and friends, and the joy she finds in doing what she loves.
"I'm truly achieving everything I've ever dreamed of, and that's what fuels me," she says. "Being able to support my parents and spend quality time with the people I love is the most precious thing to me in this world of music."
