- Nina Sky
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Nina Sky 
Background information Born March 13, 1984
Queens, New York, United StatesGenres Hip-hop, Reggaeton, R&B, Dance-pop Years active 2004–present Labels Universal (2004–2007)
Polo Grounds / J (2007–present)Associated acts Major Lazer, Belly, The Alchemist, Tony Touch, Rick Ross, Prima J, Kenza Farah, Creep Website www.ninaskyhigh.com Members Nicole Albino
Natalie Albino
External audio
You may listen to Nina Sky's "Move Ya Body" here. Nina Sky is an American musical duo composed of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino (born March 13, 1984).[1]
Contents
Early life and career
Albino's parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico 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 music. 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.[2]
The twins' parents were very supportive of their daughters' ambitions. Their stepfather even gave them guitar and drum lessons. They were taken to auditions 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 syllables of their names ("Ni" and "Na"), they came up with Nina. They then added Sky, which for them represented "the sky's the limit".[3]
2004–2006: Nina Sky
In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced the girls to Cipha Sounds, a hip hop DJ under the Star Trak label owned by The Neptunes (Pharrell and Chad Hugo). Cipha Sounds was impressed when he heard the girls sing and suggested that they use the "Coolie Dance" riddim. The twins then proceeded to write "Move Ya Body" (along with The Jettsonz, who also produced the record), mixing Caribbean, R&B, and pop rhythms. Eventually, a demo 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 Records). O'Loughlin signed the twins to a contract and they started working on their debut album.
The single "Move Ya Body" was released on April 27, 2004 and reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 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 album, featuring Betty Wright.[4]
The twins, Natalie and Nicole continued to work and promote their music. They have contributed to the reggaeton movement with songs such as "Oye Mi Canto", and "Más Maíz" with artist and producer N.O.R.E. 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 performing at the Phoenix Pride Festival on 17 April 2010
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 Stereotypes, Bruno & Phil, Neo da Matrix, Ryan Leslie, Salaam Remi, and more. Guests include Rick Ross and others that have yet to be announced. In late 2007, Nina Sky left their label, Universal, and signed with Polo Grounds Music/J Records.
Nina Sky have also put together remixes of popular songs including J. Holiday's "Bed," Elliott Yamin's "Wait For You", Cassidy's "My Drink n My 2 Step, and The-Dream's I Love Your Girl" They have also worked with Brooklyn MC Red Cafe on his street album The Co-Op, and The Alchemist on his song "Key To The City"
Nina Sky recently appeared on Major Lazer's album, Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do. They are currently in a battle with their record company Polo Grounds Records, 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.[5]
In 2010, Nicole Albino revealed she was openly homosexual and married female fashion designer, Erin Magee.[6] 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.[6]
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 Yonny, 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.[7]
They have recently confirmed that a new EP is in the works.
Discography
Main article: Nina Sky discography- Nina Sky (2004)
- The Other Side (2010)
- Nina Sky's Second EP (2011)
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of twins
References
- ^ Nina Sky - Your Favorite Twins
- ^ Artists
- ^ Dominican Times
- ^ Nina Sky on Yahoo
- ^ http://neonlimelight.com/2010/03/11/nina-sky-ask-fans-to-help-them-get-out-of-record-contract/
- ^ a b http://www.inkedmag.com/inked-people/erin-magee.html
- ^ http://www.ninaskyhigh.com/blog/2011/05/video-premier-us-x-creep-you/?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4dd135a8af8c440d%2C0
External links
Categories:- 1984 births
- Living people
- American female singers
- Puerto Rican singers
- Duos
- Girl groups
- Identical twins
- People from Queens
- American musicians of Puerto Rican descent
- Sibling duos
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