5 Questions to Nico Santos
SLEEK: Do you prefer singing in German or English? What value do these two languages hold for you?
Nico Santos: I love expressing myself musically in both languages. For a long time, English felt the most natural since I didn’t grow up in Germany, and it gave me the freedom to articulate my feelings more accurately. But after almost five years in Germany, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for telling my stories in German.
I’ve been writing songs in German for over a decade now, collaborating with hip-hop artists, and over time, I’ve realized how honest and raw it feels to create in this language.
S: Where do you draw the most inspiration from?
NS: It might sound cliché, but life itself is my biggest inspiration. People, places, and specific moments all fuel my creativity on a daily basis.
That said, most of the songs I’ve written this year were born in Mallorca, where I grew up. There’s something about the energy, the light, and the connection to my roots there that never fails to inspire me.
S: Do you enjoy writing music more for yourself or for others? How do the processes differ?
NS: The beauty is that I don’t have to choose. I’ve been incredibly lucky to write for myself as well as with and for amazing artists. For me, the key is to create freely and always push myself to grow.
Writing for others is particularly fascinating because it requires stepping into their world and embracing their perspective. It’s about striking a balance, staying true to my own creative fingerprint while honoring their unique voice.
S: What inspired your song with Shirin David?
NS:That song with Shirin has been sitting on our laptops for over five years, waiting for the right moment to shine. And now, with me working on my first German record and Shirin on tour, the timing couldn’t have been better. Performing it live together has been an incredible experience.
On top of that, we’re both coaches on The Voice of Germany 2025. It feels like everything aligned perfectly for this song to finally come to life.
S: What’s your summer anthem for 2025?
NS: It has to be an unreleased track by my friend Topic. We wrote it together at my place in Mallorca, and it’s one of the few songs I’ve worked on that I listen to constantly in my free time.
The track, called “Body,” is definitely my personal summer anthem, I can’t get enough of it.
CREDITS