Nina Sky
| Nina Sky | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 13, 1984 Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip-hop, 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 |
 You may listen to Nina Sky's "Move Ya Body" here. |
External audioNina Sky is an American musical duo composed of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino (born March 13, 1984).[1]
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Early life and career [edit]
The Albinos'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 [edit]
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"
2007–2011: Sexual Orientation, Marriage and The Other Side [edit]
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 lesbian 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]
2012: Nicole and Natalie [edit]
On February 2, Nina Sky released the lead single to their second studio album Nicole and Natalie, entitled "Day Dreaming", produced by Beau Vallis. The video for the song was released on February 28, directed by Adam Sauermilch. The album is scheduled for release on July 31, 2012. On June 14, the girls released the second single for their new album, entitled "Heartbeat" and on July 27 released its complimenting video stating that when they "filmed the video for ’Heartbeat,’ we knew we wanted it to be more about the feeling of the song and less about the story. The colors, environment, and everyone dancing in their own element creates this surreal feeling of freedom. It’s just about listening to the rhythm inside you and letting that rhythm guide you." [8] On June 26, a new song called "Comatose" surfaced on the internet.
On June 9, 2012, Nina Sky also performed at OUT/LOUD Queer Women's Music Festival in Eugene, Oregon alongside artists such as Krudas Cubensi, Tender Forever and Andrea Gibson.
On November 15, Nina Sky hosted Women in Business' 4th annual Dress For Success fashion show at Baruch College.
Discography [edit]
- Nina Sky (2004)
- The Other Side (2010)
- Nicole and Natalie (2012)
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Nina Sky - Your Favorite Twins
- ^ Artists
- ^ Dominican Times
- ^ Nina Sky on Yahoo
- ^ March 11, 2010 (2010-03-11). "Nina Sky Ask Fans To Help Them Get Out Of Record Contract - Neon Limelight - Exclusive Music News, Artist Interviews, Reviews, Photos!". Neon Limelight. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ a b "Inked Magazine". Inkedmag.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "BRAVE Magazine". finallybrave.com. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
External links [edit]
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