Billboard

Nicki Nicole talks about the surprising success of her album NAIKI, nominated for both a Grammy and a Latin Grammy, her gratitude towards Billboard for supporting her when she was a rising star, how she managed to rap with an orchestra, and how Rosalía’s new album is inspiring her today.

Nicki Nicole:

Well, also, I won’t lie to you, Rosalía’s new album is inspiring me a lot. I mean, really, uh, especially this project, mainly the NAIKI one, I took it out as a more personal goal of wanting to release something with this more trap concept of… which was something I listened to when I started and that I always kind of liked doing without releasing it so much on an album. And like when it came to planning NAIKI and releasing it, it was more like a personal goal of I want to do this and not think about it so much maybe as a conceptual album, like Alma, for example. And when I released NAIKI, which in fact NAIKI doesn’t have a tour, it doesn’t have, uh, I also did it for these fans who also knew this side of me as more trap, more freestyle. Most of the songs are also freestyle and, and it was like this, you know? Like something to release, uh, not as a conceptual album, but as a little record. I also saw it more as an EP, but well, it had too many songs, and it became like an album. And the truth is that having this recognition at the Latin Grammys and also at the Grammys overall was very surprising for me. And also like a way to reflect on music and on my profession when it comes to not staying in one place, like staying in versatility and also thinking that life can always surprise you in these areas and you always have to do what you want to do.

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Rosalía speaks with Billboard about the confidence that divine inspiration brought her for her new album ‘LUX’ and explains how JUSTICE taught her the correct pronunciation of Sauvignon Blanc.

How will fans be surprised by this album?

Rosalía: I think they will be surprised. I hope they will be, but you never know. So I prefer not to hype it up too much, if you know what I mean. I’d rather say that this album is very different from the previous one, and also completely different from other past albums. However, in some way, it’s still connected. I believe there’s a connection to previous projects. It’s like it responds to or resonates with or is related to other works I’ve done before, even though it’s entirely different. I believe spirituality is something that has accompanied me since I was young, and I feel deeply grateful to have been able to create an album like this one, where the inspiration comes from mysticism and spirituality. I understand spirituality as coming from a place of openness. I’m really drawn to the concept of post-religion, of that openness—being able to resonate with ideas from Christianity in the same way one might resonate with ideas from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism or Islam. There are so many different religions in the world, and they are all so inspiring, each offering valuable lessons to learn from.

What’s your favorite song on this album?

Rosalía: Personally, I don’t have favorite songs. I don’t have any favorite songs of my own. I don’t feel particularly attached to my music. It’s neither love nor hate—it’s more like, “I needed to release this, so I’m letting it go now.” So no, I don’t have a favorite. I prefer for others to listen to it and choose their own favorite. I’d be happy with whatever they choose.

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