Born in Spanish Harlem, he is considered one of the top young percussionists in NYC. His mentors include Johnny Almendra and Ramón Rodríguez. Niko earned a Tito Puente Scholarship for 3 years at Boys Harbor. He is a founding member of Afro-Caribbean music collective Ilú-Ayé. Other music credits include: Frankie Morales, Louie Vega, Latin Sensation, Lou Gorbea, Ashe Productions, Yerbabuena, Stefanie Renee, and Kafele Bandele. Pregones credits: Game Over, Flybabies/Piojos, Baile Cangrejero, Dancing In My Cockroach Killers, and El Apagón.