Biography At first sight, the fact that these two songbirds are identical
twins weighs heavily on the eyes. However, let us put that detail away
for a moment. Natalie and Nicole Albino are not only two heavenly
attractive young women, they are singers; true singers with cohesive
melodies that are a strong as their sisterly bond. But it doesn't stop
there. This multi-talented duo known as Nina Sky, Nina equaling a
portion of each of their names and Sky representing their shared
aspirations, are also instrumentalists and songwriters. Now back to the
twin thing, these two beautifully blended voices are undoubtedly better
than one. Nina Sky grew up in the multi-cultural borough of Queens in New York
City. As they tell it, their early childhood and teen years were spent
taking in magnitudes of music from several different genres. "My
stepfather was a DJ, so he always played a lot of music," says
Nicole. "In the morning, he'd play rock music and then he'd go into
some Miles Davis and then he'd play Madonna. He'd play everything!"
The musical influence that Natalie and Nicole's stepfather had impressed
upon them was a great gift in hindsight. Growing up in such a harmonious
home that effortlessly mingled various sounds, the two sisters quickly
began to draw from that impact when composing their own music.
"From when we were little we knew we wanted to do this,"
Natalie offers. "My mother even told us that when we started
talking we would sing."
As Natalie and Nicole's raw talent matured, the family supported the
twins' passion and drive to become professional singers. Subsequently,
Nina Sky's musical interests expanded. Nicole learned how to DJ from her
stepfather and began playing the guitar and drums. The girls hooked up
with the production team The Jettsonz approximately four years ago and
began on the journey to stardom. "We auditioned, did showcases, and
worked within a group of girls, and then we worked as a duo,"
explains Nicole. "In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced us to Cipha
Sounds who suggested we write to the Coolie Dance Riddim," explains
Natalie about their connection with renowned New York City DJ Cipha
Sounds who co-produced the joint. Cipha had quickly recognized the
fountain of talent buried in this well and supported the young women in
their endeavors. They recorded a demo of the warm weather, rump shaking,
party-starting hit record "Move Ya Body" and brought it to
Eddie O'Loughlin, President of Next Plateau Entertainment, who offered a
contract to Nina Sky on the spot. When the record was completed, it
reacted immediately, infiltrating airways as one of the most added
records at rhythm and urban radio.
After Nina Sky signed with Next Plateau/Universal Records, they
immediately began recording their self-titled debut album. "We are
very proud of the way our album came out. It is very personal to us. We
self-titled it for that reason. It really represents who Nina Sky
is," says Nicole. The album is a combination of R&B songs
heavily influenced by hip-hop, classic rock and throwback tunes,
produced by Elijah Wells and Lionel Bermingham of the Jettsonz and Cipha
Sounds and J. Landlord, co-owners of Jack Move Inc. and written, in
conjunction, by both of the sisters. Nina Sky's deliciously light and
ethereal vocals make their songs even more aurally enticing as they
often tell the female side of the story.
One of the many stand out tracks from the album, "Your Time,"
is a smoothed out, rhythmic jam that illuminates Nina Sky's sexy vocals
over a mid tempo melody. Showing that the most important element of a
relationship is spending time, the chorus goes: "Should I move on
and find someone better?/Should I sit down and write you a letter?/You
bought me gifts and a diamond ring/But all I really want is just one
thing/Your Time."
Mixing things up a bit, Nina Sky also addresses common issues like the
loss of a cherished friendship. "There is a song on the album
called "Surely Missed" that's about losing your best
friend," says Natalie of the slow tempo ballad she penned. "I
never experienced that personally but I have friends who have gone
through that and seeing how emotional they were, it inspired me to write
something for them."
Nina Sky collaborated with R&B legend Betty Wright to write the song
"You Deserve," on which she also appears as a guest vocalist.
And in the delightful vein of their flagship single "Move Ya
Body" Nina Sky knows how to keep the party going, with songs like
"Turnin' Me On," an upbeat percussion heavy dance tune and the
two hip-hop inspired track "In a Dream" and "Holla
Back.."
Nina Sky has already proven to be a duo worthy of national recognition
with just one sweltering hot record. Delve into their self-titled debut
this summer and they will surely double that listening pleasure.
At first sight, the fact that these two songbirds are identical
twins weighs heavily on the eyes. However, let us put that detail away
for a moment. Natalie and Nicole Albino are not only two heavenly
attractive young women, they are singers; true singers with cohesive
melodies that are a strong as their sisterly bond. But it doesn't stop
there. This multi-talented duo known as Nina Sky, Nina equaling a
portion of each of their names and Sky representing their shared
aspirations, are also instrumentalists and songwriters. Now back to the
twin thing, these two beautifully blended voices are undoubtedly better
than one.
As Natalie and Nicole's raw talent matured, the family supported the
twins' passion and drive to become professional singers. Subsequently,
Nina Sky's musical interests expanded. Nicole learned how to DJ from her
stepfather and began playing the guitar and drums. The girls hooked up
with the production team The Jettsonz approximately four years ago and
began on the journey to stardom. "We auditioned, did showcases, and
worked within a group of girls, and then we worked as a duo,"
explains Nicole. "In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced us to Cipha
Sounds who suggested we write to the Coolie Dance Riddim," explains
Natalie about their connection with renowned New York City DJ Cipha
Sounds who co-produced the joint. Cipha had quickly recognized the
fountain of talent buried in this well and supported the young women in
their endeavors. They recorded a demo of the warm weather, rump shaking,
party-starting hit record "Move Ya Body" and brought it to
Eddie O'Loughlin, President of Next Plateau Entertainment, who offered a
contract to Nina Sky on the spot. When the record was completed, it
reacted immediately, infiltrating airways as one of the most added
records at rhythm and urban radio.
Mixing things up a bit, Nina Sky also addresses common issues like the
loss of a cherished friendship. "There is a song on the album
called "Surely Missed" that's about losing your best
friend," says Natalie of the slow tempo ballad she penned. "I
never experienced that personally but I have friends who have gone
through that and seeing how emotional they were, it inspired me to write
something for them."