It’s been over 20 years since "Move Ya Body" catapulted Nina Sky into fame, and the Puerto Rican-rooted duo continues to build on their musical legacy, both as singer-songwriters and DJs. Today, they’re not only navigating a new chapter artistically, but also personally.
Twins Natalie and Nicole Albino, the members of Nina Sky, were born in March 1986 in Puerto Rico but raised in Queens, New York, after their parents moved there when the girls were very young. Their love for music developed early and was largely inspired by their DJ stepfather. Growing up surrounded by a wide variety of musical genres and in a household where music was an essential part, it was no surprise to their family when Natalie and Nicole decided to pursue music as a job. With their stepfather’s support, they learned to play the guitar, drums, and how to use the turntables.
"He said, 'No matter your race, cuz today you're Latino.' Anyone who heard that song felt proud."
The sisters began auditioning and performing with a group of young artists, but ultimately decided to form their own duo, with the moniker Nina Sky, making a reference to both of their own names. Life led them to hip-hop icon DJ Cipha Sounds, who was impressed by their talent and encouraged them to work with the now-famous Coolie Dance Riddim.
The twins wrote "Move Ya Body," a catchy track that quickly became a party anthem. The song was presented to Eddie O'Loughlin, president of Next Plateau Entertainment, who signed Nina Sky without hesitation.
"Move Ya Body" came out on April 27, 2004, climbing the charts in the U.S. that year. The song also topped the charts in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Riding that wave, Nina Sky dropped their self-titled debut album in June of the same year. More albums followed: "A Partir de Hoy" In 2007 and "Nicole and Natalie" in 2012.
"Being Latinas who don't speak Spanish. That was the one thing that made us feel self-conscious about making Spanish records."
Throughout their career, they’ve collaborated with Spanish and English-speaking icons on a range of successful tracks, including "Oye Mi Canto" (2005) with Daddy Yankee, Gem Star & Big Mato, "Curtain Call" (2008) with Rick Ross, and "Eyez on Me" (2021) with TroyBoi. They've also worked with artists like Pitbull, Aventura, Sean Paul, Diplo, and Azealia Banks.
Now, after doing the work and dropping songs and collaborations that made them icons, Nina Sky is experiencing a new phase in their lives: motherhood. Natalie has two children with her husband, Michael Colón, while Nicole shares a daughter with her partner, Erin Magee. This journey into motherhood has inspired them to keep creating and making music. The duo, who continue to perform live, released a new song this year. "4PLAY" came out alongside a duet with Manu Manzo titled "La Buena Vida 2," with both songs showcasing Nina Sky's signature style and staying power.