Growing up in Rosario, Argentina, Nicki Nicole would pay special attention to people’s cellphone ringtones “because that’s how you knew back then what type of music was popular.” She says she was a musical “sponge,” and by the time she was 17, the artist (born Nicole Cucco) started experimenting with hip-hop after meeting friends who would freestyle in the streets. Her open-minded musical upbringing informs the R&B and trap fusions that she both sings and raps on — and has helped her stand out in an increasingly crowded field of emerging Argentine trap artists.

The dexterous, shape-shifting MC is releasing “Mala Vida,” a smoky, hard-edged rap song that shows off Nicole’s impressive, lilting spoken cadence as well as her honeyed singing voice. Arriving complete with a dramatic, mob-movie inspired video directed by Jess "La Polaca” Praznik, it’s another impressive display from Nicole.

Check it out below.