Nicki Nicole: The Argentinian Artist Bringing Futuristic Style to Reggaeton
BYLINE: Luis Minvielle
From her fashion choices to her bold musical style, Nicki Nicole is quickly making a name for herself in the world of trap, reggaeton, and hip-hop. In our cover interview, she shares her thoughts on the future, her love for sneakers, and the influence of the BMX lifestyle on her music.
Nicki Nicole is a force to be reckoned with, both on stage and off. With her tip-top fashion choices and bold musical style, the artist from Argentina is quickly rising the ranks in the world of trap, reggaetón, hip-hop, and even Spanish disco. Her 2021 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she wowed audiences with a medley of her songs “Wapo Traketero” and “No Toque Mi Naik,” was just the beginning of her foray into the mainstream. Later that year, she collaborated with reggaetón drip king Rauw Alejandro in their track “Sabe” and even got nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for the best Rock song, confirming that she’s an all-rounder.
Fashion shows up recurrently in Nicki’s repertoire. Coincidentally or not, one of the hits she played at Fallon, “No Toque Mi Naik,” is about not messing up with her sneakers. “Don’t step on my Nike, you bastard; don’t you see how it shines?” Nicki sings in her hit track. But don’t let her killer threats fool you. Nicki is more than just a streetwear champion: she can also dress to impress.
At last month’s Latin Grammy ceremony, Nicki sizzled in a sleek black dress with a sweetheart neckline and elbow-length gloves that were all the rage on the red carpet. She finished the look with a sparkly mini purse, loose straight hair, and classic makeup, highlighting her stunning white complexion. Her cat-eye liner and burgundy lips were the cherry on top.
Her latest release, the synth-heavy reggaetón stunner “Frío,” demonstrates she can go even further than red-carpet stylishness. In the YouTube video for “Frío,” the outfits are out of this world — literally. Sleek and shiny, the metallic fabrics and bold colors scream futuristic fashion. Hairstyles are not your average ponytails or top knots. Nicki’s hairdos are aggressive and with neon accents, adding an extra dose of otherworldly edginess, with neon-clad french kisses abounding.
“I don’t think there’s something as uncomfortable as pretending you’re something you’re not,” Nicki said in an interview with Galore. In a way, that’s the essence of both Nicki and “Frío.” Under steady dembow beats, “Frío” explores the feeling of being left behind and the pain of losing someone you love. It captures the idea of being true to oneself and how that authenticity can be lost when the person who brings warmth and light into your life is gone. “Because you left, and the summer went with you /, And now the damn heart is cold,” Nicki sings, a poignant reminder of how love can both enrich and leave us empty.
Regarding fashion, Nicki is just as daring and experimental as she is in her music. From futuristic looks to streetwear chic, she knows how to make a statement and turn ears wherever she goes.
Want to know what drives this rising star to live for the future and rock sneakers 24/7? Check out our interview to learn how biking and BMXing shaped her style and outlook on life.
FEATURE INTERVIEW
Interviewer: Luis Minvielle
“The futuristic look in your music video for “Frío” reminds me a lot of Rauw Alejandro, who recently released his album Saturno and made a pastiche of sorts to after-hours futurism. Is the music video related in any way?”
Nicki Nicole: “When creating the music video for “Frío,” I wasn’t aware of Rauw Alejandro’s album Saturno and its futuristic aesthetic. However, I do find the concept of the future intriguing and wanted to explore it in my own way. The coldness and strangeness of the future, depicted in the snow, give a sense of the unknown and potential apocalypse.
Although I have a background in reggaeton, it’s a genre I have yet to embrace fully. I’m more rooted in R&B and hip-hop, but I wanted to challenge myself and incorporate reggaeton elements into “Frío” while still staying true to my own style. Collaborating with artists like Rauw helped me to respect the genre and understand its codes.
The song itself also touches on the theme of the future, as I wanted to avoid limiting myself to a specific time period or aesthetic, like when we made the video for “Mala Vida” in a pure Peaky Blinders fashion. I wanted to create a fresh and unique sound that blended elements of reggaeton with my own influences.”
“What influenced your fashion choices when you showed up on Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night Show?”
Nicki Nicole: “When the opportunity sprang up, it seemed like a good chance to export my music. But then, I needed to show myself as I am because people would be seeing me for the first time. I chose to wear jeans to show hip-hop, 90s essence — not super produced. I would have liked to be dressed as if we were wandering about on a normal day. But I was frightened people would compare me to Billie Eilish, whom I admire a lot., But I didn’t want to make people think I’m just her but from Argentina. Thus, I didn’t wear baggy clothes, which are my preference. I went for the basic, tight-fit jeans, and I copped a Gucci hat at the last minute to feel like myself.”
“Can you tell us about your collaboration with Pull&Bear?”
Nicki Nicole: “It was a capsule of mine. I could bring up three or four looks and cherry-pick the colors. Each aspect represented a song of mine. I have many outfit styles. So, we went for four appearances that could help us dress for each occasion.”
“How did your partnership with Boss come about, and how did that influence your style?”
Nicki Nicole: “The Boss occasion was different — they called me to promote a hoodie. But that hoodie represented me. It represented me for the colors. I go from black to white to clear brown — I don’t pick flashy colors; I don’t wear a red top with a yellow dress. It was a style so basic that it stood out; with the brands, you ought to build a relationship. You gotta interact with them, you gotta see what everyone is doing with them.”
“What part of your style comes from a place no one would guess?”
Nicki Nicole: “There’s something that marked my style and that I didn’t realize — but it was BMX freestyle, like riding the bicycle and going from one place to the other in comfortable clothes. At first, when I reached a destination on my bicycle, I didn’t change clothes and went on with my life, so I’d be on tight sports stockings and other sports apparel. But people would catcall me on the street. So, I began wearing loose clothes to prevent people from calling me out with things. Sneakers and shorts — that became my style. So, I’m wearing a Nike outfit, with some Air Jordans and a short of the same color. I like wearing a bicycle-riding, BMX type of style.”
TEAM CREDITS
BYLINE: Luis Minvielle
Interviewer: Luis Minvielle
Photographer: Alma Filmica @soulisfilms
Make up: Ínes Pizarro @inespizarro
Hair: Maia Ludueña @maialuduena
Styling: Cucci&Pagani
PR: FRAZES CREATIVE @FrazesCreative