Nicki Nicole Reveals Alejandro Sanz Collab & More From Billboard's Hispanic Music Forum In Madrid

Nicki Nicole headlined the inaugural Madrid Hispanic Music Forum presented by Community of Madrid and supported by Advertising sign on Tuesday (March 19).

During the 30 minute Q&A with moderator of Billboard Leila Cobo, the Argentinian artist opened up about her creative process when writing music, the importance of prioritizing her mental health, her very public split with Mexicana music star Peso Pluma, and even revealed that new music with Alejandro Sanz is on the horizon.

Immediately after, Billboard Español's The latest cover star performed a nearly 20-minute set, where she delivered acoustic versions of her hits like “Dispara ***” and “8 AM.”

In addition, the invitation-only one-day event – which sought to highlight the growing consumption of music in Spanish across all continents – featured four panel discussions featuring managers, executives and artists such as Raphael, Luis Cobos, La Mala Rodríguez, Paula Cendejas, Yotuel and Maikel Delacalle.

Below are the best takeaways from Nicki's intimate chat.

About working with Alejandro Sanz

“I'm a big fan. I was recently in the studio with him and it was crazy for me. I don't know if I could say it, but yes, we made music together. His daughter's name is Alma like my album and it was like things happen that are not random. I also like that about music, that you can get to know your favorite artists, understand their world. Many of his songs I thought were [created] in a way, he explained to me that they were made in another way, and that's also the crazy thing about music. I always play Alejandro Sanz music when I'm in my time. I really like 'Amiga Mia'. This is my favorite song.”

In Peso Pluma Breakup

“I did it because I felt it. I felt that I was quite exposed and for my part I had to say what I was feeling and going through. I love that I got a lot of messages from women, a lot of support, a lot of love. It's a bit difficult when your personal life gets mixed up with the show because a lot of people have opinions and it's hard. I was torn between saying something or not, but I felt like I had to say something because it goes with who I am.”

About turning her emotions into music

“I sing what I live and live what I feel, and if it weren't for that, I wouldn't be myself 100 percent. I always like to write in a notebook and it helps me a lot. Beyond whether [the song] whether it comes out later or not, or remains captured somewhere, it is already my catharsis of what is happening to me. It also allows me to be the artist that I am and have the fans that I have, who always know that I will be honest with how I feel. I feel that new things will come from the hand of my emotions and I feel that I will always be faithful to say what happens to me and talk about those things that make us human.”

About Mental Health

“I had a moment in 2021 where I felt really bad personally and at that moment, with my team, we decided to slow down a bit and I really liked to have that respect from Fede. At that moment I stopped, but today, I think differently — my personal is my personal, but there is also a responsibility, which is my job, the people who pay a ticket to see me. So at this point, I decided not to stop. I decided to continue because it is also what motivates me, what is good for me. […] I feel like today, personally, I have pretty good self-esteem, and that helps a lot to keep me grounded. But I also very much agree that if you're not good with yourself, you don't have to do things you don't feel good about.”