Nicky Jam Talks Embracing His 'Rockstar' Moment on New Album Insomnio and Feeling 'at Peace' (Exclusive)

• Nicky Jam released his eighth studio album, InsomniacSeptember 6
• The reggaeton star says the album was inspired by many sleepless nights
• The “El Amante” singer openly talks about the feeling of happiness in his life and his new marriage

After an album that cost him many sleepless nights, Nicky Jam is finding his groove again.

The reggaeton star (43) released his eighth studio album Insomniac (Spanish for insomnia) on September 6, marking his first full-length album in three years. This time, Nicky wanted to create something people could dance to – but if you listen carefully, these lyrics have a deeper meaning.

“I used this album to talk about what I was going through. Whether it was my love life, whether it was drinking and partying and all that stuff. I really haven’t slept most of the time these past two years,” the singer-songwriter tells PEOPLE exclusively about the inspiration for the album.

The 14-track album — which includes songs with Eladio Carrion, Luar La L, Sean Paul, Belle, Ryan Castro, Saiko, Benny Benassi & Kaeme and Trueno — was created during a period in which the “X” singer was drinking excessively. That helped him get his “mojo” back — but he’s since decided to slow down to get his health back in order.

Insomnio album cover.

Courtesy of Nicky Jam

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“Whatever I’m going through, whatever I’m doing, I’m going to talk about it. I feel like that’s the best way. And to be honest with you, most of the biggest artists in the world and rock stars, we’re in the same situation where they did a lot of the biggest hits that we’re listening today, so it’s no secret when it comes to being a rock star,” he says.

Nicky, who spoke openly about his journey with addiction in a 2018 documentary Nicky Jam: El Ganadoradds: “The reality of it all is that people, because they’ve seen that documentary, think my life is just… I’m already fixed and everything’s fine. It doesn’t work like that. You keep fighting. You have your good days, your bad days days, your bad moments, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The final track on the album is a merengue version of the title track – and it feels like a mirror of how Nicky was feeling at the time. On the surface it sounds fun and playful – but the lyrics reflect a somber feeling.

Nicky Jam.

Jonathan David Correa Rios

“Usually a merengue song is very upbeat. It’s a very happy song. But this song is a really sad song… you won’t know it’s a sad song because it makes you want to dance,” he says. “That’s the magic of my music. That’s what I do. If you listen to ‘El Perdon’, it’s one of my biggest hits. ‘El Perdon’ is a really sad song.”

Now Nicky is in a “good position”: he recently married Colombian model Juana Valentina Varón and is “really happy”.

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“You can have 50 girlfriends coming and going, and you still feel lonely. It doesn’t really make you complete. So I found someone I love. I found someone who is with me and makes me feel a lot better,” he says. “I’m busier now. I have to work a lot. So I don’t have time to party as much as I used to. I feel a lot better if I’m functioning.”

With the album out, Nicky’s only goal is to be “at peace” and pay it forward by uplifting new artists.

“My dream is to just be at peace, be happy and have good health and continue to do what I love to do,” he says. “Just keep making music and probably sign some artists and make them bigger than me. Hopefully I’ll find someone who has that much talent and I can dedicate my life to this person and this project and do great things.”

Insomniac it’s out now.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education