A legendary Latin pop artist with roots in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was recognized for his success by leaders of the Merrimack Valley city on Thursday, with a music and art center being named in his honor.
Nick Rivera Caminero — known by his stage name, Nicky Jam — was welcomed by local leaders as they announced the remodeling of the Adult Learning Center, which will be turned into a music and art center featuring the Lawrence native's name.
The announcement was made shortly after 9 a.m. by Mayor Brian DePeña, accompanied by city officials and council members, as well as Lawrence Public Schools, the Lawrence Police Department and other delegations.
Nicky Jam, who is now 42, was born in Massachusetts and moved to Puerto Rico with his family as a child. He's had a long, storied career with many big hits, including "Fiel a tu Piel," "Travesuras," and his acclaimed collaboration with Enrique Iglesias, "El Perdón.”
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Caminero grew up in poverty, watching his father fight for “the American dream," he said. Now, he said, the street where he grew up will also bear his name.
“We literally didn't have money to pay rent on this street," he said. The "landlord" would knock on the door and my dad would hide and tell me not to open it... we had to live month after month... it's incredible that now this happens on that street where we couldn't pay rent."
As part of his speech, Nicky Jam said that at the age of eight, he found a flyer for a high school talent event in Lawrence and decided to attend, even though he was not of the required age.
When they saw him rapping, he got his first applause and knew he wanted to do that for the rest of his life. Then, when he moved to Puerto Rico, he was influenced by Caribbean music, dance hall and, while working in a supermarket, he was discovered and signed his first contract.
“I was very young and everything happened very quickly," he said. "I have been on drugs, I was in jail, I went to Colombia to look for a second chance and I came back like the Phoenix. I rose from the ashes and here I am today in Lawrence, happy. Thank you to my dad for making me here, in this beautiful city, and to the people of Lawrence, thank you, because, although I no longer live here, they give me love and respect. I live grateful."
Part of this report has been translated from Spanish
