Despite his drug use, he managed to gain popularity in Puerto Rico as a hip-hop artist, and eventually met his idol, Daddy Yankee.
Nicky Jam recalled that Daddy Yankee was familiar with his work, explaining, "He looked at me and said, ‘I know who you are.
You’re that little kid that sings rap in a little Mickey Mouse voice.
I like your style.'”
The two artists then formed a duo called Los Cangris.
The duo achieved success in Puerto Rico through hit singles such as "En la Cama" and "Guayando".
While in the group, he went on to release the solo albums Haciendo Escante (2001) and Vida Escante (2004).

However, Nicky Jam struggled to adjust to his new lifestyle and began using drugs and alcohol to an extent that concerned his musical partner.
Having used cocaine on and off since age fifteen, he later began using percocet.
Daddy Yankee began to criticize Nicky Jam's behavior and alluded to his bandmate in songs, including the lyric "your courage depends on a pill" from the 2004 song “Santifica Tus Escapularios”.
This led an incensed Nicky Jam to release a diss track in response that same year.
Nicky Jam quickly regretted releasing the song, explaining, "That wasn't a good choice, because he came with [2004 Billboard Hot 100 hit] 'Gasolina.' [
I] looked stupid.
He went his way, I went my way -- and obviously my way didn't go very well."

Los Cangris separated in 2004 after a falling out between the two musicians.
After the breakup of Los Cangris, Nicky Jam struggled personally and professionally, calling himself the "embarrassment of the Latin Caribbean music industry".
Deeply depressed, Nicky Jam gained a significant amount of weight, eventually reaching 300 pounds (136 kg).
He also experienced legal troubles, including a police chase in his car that was in the process of being repossessed.
He took a job in a hotel, performing lounge music for tourists.
Despite viewing this period to be his "lowest point", the artist developed his singing voice during this time, learning to incorporate sung vocals into his music as opposed to strictly rapping.
Despite his drug use, he managed to gain popularity in Puerto Rico as a hip-hop artist, and eventually met his idol, Daddy Yankee. Nicky Jam recalled that Daddy Yankee was familiar with his work, explaining, "He looked at me and said, ‘I know who you are. You’re that little kid that sings rap in a little Mickey Mouse voice. I like your style.'” The two artists then formed a duo called Los Cangris. The duo achieved success in Puerto Rico through hit singles such as "En la Cama" and "Guayando". While in the group, he went on to release the solo albums Haciendo Escante (2001) and Vida Escante (2004).
However, Nicky Jam struggled to adjust to his new lifestyle and began using drugs and alcohol to an extent that concerned his musical partner. Having used cocaine on and off since age fifteen, he later began using percocet. Daddy Yankee began to criticize Nicky Jam's behavior and alluded to his bandmate in songs, including the lyric "your courage depends on a pill" from the 2004 song “Santifica Tus Escapularios”. This led an incensed Nicky Jam to release a diss track in response that same year. Nicky Jam quickly regretted releasing the song, explaining, "That wasn't a good choice, because he came with [2004 Billboard Hot 100 hit] 'Gasolina.' [I] looked stupid. He went his way, I went my way -- and obviously my way didn't go very well." 
Los Cangris separated in 2004 after a falling out between the two musicians. After the breakup of Los Cangris, Nicky Jam struggled personally and professionally, calling himself the "embarrassment of the Latin Caribbean music industry". Deeply depressed, Nicky Jam gained a significant amount of weight, eventually reaching 300 pounds (136 kg). He also experienced legal troubles, including a police chase in his car that was in the process of being repossessed. He took a job in a hotel, performing lounge music for tourists. Despite viewing this period to be his "lowest point", the artist developed his singing voice during this time, learning to incorporate sung vocals into his music as opposed to strictly rapping.
Nicky Jam