Nicky Jam Net Worth, Studio Albums and Hit Singles, Assets
Nicky Jam is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, producer, and actor with a net worth of $25 million. Since his debut in 1995, he has released numerous hit singles, including “Travesuras,” “X,” “El Amante,” and “Hasta el Amanecer.” His global recognition soared after performing “Live It Up,” the theme song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Throughout his career, Nicky Jam has collaborated with various popular artists, including Daddy Yankee, with whom he formed the duo Los Cangris. In addition to his music career, he has acted in films such as “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” and “Bad Boys for Life,” and portrayed himself in the Netflix biographical series “Nicky Jam: El Ganador.”
Early Life
Nicky Jam, born Nick Rivera Caminero on March 17, 1981, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Dominican mother. At age ten, his family relocated to San Juan, Puerto Rico, following his father’s drug-related troubles. Initially struggling to adapt to the culture and language, he eventually found solace in reggaeton music and Caribbean hip hop. Originally known as Nick MC, he adopted the name Nicky Jam after being nicknamed by a homeless man.
Career Beginnings
At just 11 years old, while working at a discount grocery store, Jam began rapping about the items he was bagging. This caught the attention of a customer who invited him to record with a local independent label. By age 14, he released his debut EP, “…Distinto a los demás” (1995). His growing popularity led him to meet his idol Daddy Yankee, with whom he formed the duo Los Cangris. The duo achieved success in Puerto Rico with hits like “En la Cama,” “Guayando,” and “Donde Estan Las Gatas.” In 2001, Jam released his second EP, “Haciendo escante.”
Career Struggles
Despite his rising fame, Nicky Jam faced significant personal challenges related to substance abuse. Starting cocaine use at age 15 led to a dangerous addiction that strained his relationship with Daddy Yankee and resulted in their bitter split in 2004. This period marked a deep depression for Jam, during which he gained substantial weight and encountered legal issues. To support himself, he performed lounge music at a hotel.
Studio Albums and Hit Singles
In 2004, Nicky Jam released his first studio album, “Vida escante.” After relocating to Medellín, Colombia in 2007 to overcome his struggles, he released “The Black Carpet.” Following a near-fatal overdose in 2010, Jam committed to sobriety and revitalized his career with hit singles like “Travesuras” and “Voy a Beber” in 2014. His collaboration with Enrique Iglesias on “El Perdón” further solidified his comeback. In 2016, “Hasta el Amanecer” became his first song to surpass one billion views on YouTube.
In early 2017, he released his third studio album, “Fénix,” featuring collaborations with J Balvin, Sean Paul, Kid Ink, and El Alfa. The album debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and included chart-topping singles like “El Amante” and “Si Tú la Ves.” His success continued into 2018 with the single “X,” featured on his fourth studio album, “Íntimo,” released in 2019.
Style and Influences
Nicky Jam is known for his contributions to the reggaeton and Latin trap genres. He played a pivotal role in developing the Latin urban movement during its early days in Puerto Rico. His musical influences include icons like Michael Jackson, Prince, Shakira, and Jay-Z, along with Colombian music genres such as Vallenato.
Acting Career
Nicky Jam made his acting debut in the 2017 film “XXX: Return of Xander Cage,” starring Vin Diesel. The following year, he portrayed himself in the Netflix series “Nicky Jam: El Ganador,” which chronicles his challenging childhood and music career. In 2020, he played Lorenzo “Zway-Lo” Rodríguez in the successful film “Bad Boys for Life.” He also voiced Butch Cat in Tim Story’s 2021 film adaptation of “Tom & Jerry.”
Personal Life
In early 2017, Nicky married Angélica Cruz; however, they divorced in 2018 due to irreconcilable differences. He became engaged to model Cydney Moreau on Valentine’s Day in 2020 but split within a year. His past relationships include Nati Torres, Livia Rici, and Paulina Cruz. Nicky Jam has four children from these relationships.
Assets
In 2017, Nicky purchased a starter home in Miami for $1.7 million, selling it the following year for $2 million. He then acquired a property on Palm Island for $3.4 million in 2019 but sold it for $3.1 million after listing it for $3.3 million in December 2020. In September 2021, he invested $6 million in a downtown Miami condo. Nicky Jam’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom reflects not only his talent but also his resilience through personal challenges and industry changes.
