Nicole and Natalie Albino (born March 13, 1986)1 are identical twin sisters who sing under the stage name "Nina Sky".
Early life and career
Albinos' 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 both Queens and Roosevelt Island sections of New York.
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.
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".2
They continued to go to school and, in their spare time, worked as DJs. In the year 2000, they met The Jettsonz (Elijah Wells and Lionel Bermingham), a pair of music producers who helped them develop their own sound.
2004–2006: Nina Sky
In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced the girls to Cipha Sounds, a hip hop DJ who worked for the Star Trak record 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 riddims with R&B. 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.3
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: Starting Today
Nina Sky are working on their second studio album, Starting Today. The album was originally due on July 27, 2007, but has been pushed back to an unknown date, sometime in 2009. Producers include Stereotypes, The Runners, Scott Storch, Ryan Leslie, Cipha Sounds, Solitair, Cool & Dre, Salaam Remi, The Jettsonz and more. Guests include Rick Ross, Sean Paul, Ivy Queen, and Daytona. In late 2007, Nina Sky left their label, Universal, and signed with 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"
In 2008 Nina Sky collaborated on a song with a French singer, Kenza Farah. The song, "Celle qu'il te Faut", is electro/pop in style.
Nina Sky released their teaser single "On Some Bullshit" on April 7 via their MySpace page.
In 2009, Nina Sky appeared on All Night Long alongside Smashproof, a hiphop crew from New Zealand
Nina Sky released their First single "Beautiful People" (produced by "Stereotypes" written by Lil Eddie) on July 03, 2009.
Discography
Albums
Singles
References
See also
External links
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