Nieves began his career while participating in Orquesta Cimarron, a New York–based group. In 1977, he teamed up with singer Héctor Lavoe and his Orchestra and joined the Conjunto Clasico. Later, Nieves started his solo career in 1986, setting himself apart by singing salsa in English. He is known for his hits such as "El Amor Más Bonito", "Sonámbulo", and the English-salsa hit, "I Like It Like That" produced by Sergio George and remixed by Frankie Cutlass (1996).
