Nick Rivera Caminero (born March 17, 1981),[1] known by the stage name Nicky Jam, is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Travesuras", "Te Busco" (with Cosculluela), "El Perdón", "Hasta el Amanecer", and "El Amante", the latter three from his album Fénix.
Early life
Rivera was born to a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father. He later moved with his family to Barrio Obrero in Puerto Rico when he was ten years old.[1] He has been in reggaeton since his youth. The name "Nicky Jam" was jokingly given to Rivera by a homeless man. Rivera's family was low-income, and as a minor, he performed illegal work in a grocery store in order to help support them, improvising while bagging groceries. One day, a music executive noticed his talent and signed him, and at the age of fourteen, he recorded his first album, ...Distinto A Los Demás. The album was not successful, but it did gain him recognition in the music industry and warranted the attention of some music producers such as DJ Joe, DJ Playero, and DJ Chiklin.