The sky behind them is a swirl of gray clouds caressing the peaks of the Andes. But Maluma, which sits on a terrace overlooking the surrounding vegetation and downtown Medellín, is unfazed, interested only in its looks, including a black Nike Air Force 1, an Audemars Piguet watch, a denim jacket, and oversized sunglasses. Kenzo skier style. After a few moments of fighting with the Zoom, he manages to activate the audio and starts with a joyful one “What’s wrong?”
The outfit and salute are as powerful as this singer is supposed to be and 27-year-old Colombian composer, whose seductive mix of reggaeton and Latin trap has managed to draw massive global audiences in the midst of a pandemic. His theme Hawaii, second single from the album Papi Juancho – recorded during delivery and published in the summer – it reached number 12 on the charts in the United States (and number 1 in our country), and his disco collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas, Feel the Beat, it has also been a success.
While he acknowledges that, “Of course 2020 was difficult for everyone”, he sees it as his best year: “Both artistically and personally. I feel reborn »Like many people, he spent most of his days at home figuring out his priorities. “Recently I spoke to my parents and they are happy that I have stayed in Colombia for so long, but they are concerned because they do not know what will happen to my work. It was positive for me to be here. I have contact with myself again », Dice.
The truth is, Maluma’s parents have nothing to worry about as 2021 looks set to be another magical year for their son. On January 28, coinciding with his birthday, he launched his sixth studio album, entitled # 7DJ (Seven Days in Jamaica-Seven Days in Jamaica) and full of influences from reg-gae and dancehall. In addition, if nothing prevents it, he is scheduled to resume the tour interrupted twelve months ago by the pandemic that would take him to Madrid, Barcelona, Murcia and the Sancti Petri Concert Music Festival in July. Y On June 18 he will premiere with me in Cásate, Spain, a romantic comedy in which he shares the bill with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, and about an unlikely love story between a pop star and a teacher. He plays Bastian, her fiancé until he discovers her infidelity with his assistant.
This film debut is a rarity, as few Hollywood projects have recently featured two Latino protagonists. According to one statistic, only 4.9% of the dialogue roles in the top 100 films of 2019 were played by Spanish actors. And the film’s director, Kat Coiro, admits it wasn’t in the script either. “But when we found him, the story took on more nuances”, highlights. “In addition to sharing the language of fame, there is also a common language and culture, which makes Owen’s character feel even more outsider”It was Lopez herself, as producer, who suggested Maluma. ‘We shook up a lot of people: Adam Levine, John Mayer, Drake … And then I suggested,’ You know what? It would be nice to release a bilingual album with the film. Why don’t we choose a Latin American superstar? “»
What’s clear on the screen, as well as their duet performance at the 2020 American Music Awards, is that between the two there is what Coiro calls “A palpable chemistry”And does he have anything to add? Jennifer is not only a partner … I would say she is my girlfriend; a person I admire and whose career I have pursued since I was little. To me it was surreal to be part of that cast. And although it was a surprise that they offered it to me, I was ready »If so, it’s definitely because this isn’t the first time they’ve been seen with icons. He has recorded several times with his fellow countryman Shakira and He collaborated with Mdonna on the song Medellín and its music video, and sang together at the Billboard Music Awards 2019.This is how he describes the queen of pop: “She likes to do things organically; it is very spiritual. The video was shot non-stop for almost 48 hours and I was impressed that at 62 he looks younger than me. The good vibes were mutual by the way. “When I met him, I was drawn to his positivity and energy”, Madonna account by email And when I found out what he was like, I was amazed at his ability to work. We saw that we were creative soul mates and we had fun together »
The word spiritual pops up often in the conversation, something that is far from his image of other times, when songs like Cuatro Babies earned him that Don Juan Malote reputation. Lately, however, he’s been willing to get rid of the character. “I think artists are losing spirituality these days, and that’s sad”, he says. “I don’t see them praying or meditating; that’s why I connect better with people like Madonna, Shakira and Jennifer. People often tell me that I am an old soul, but in the end you can be the largest star in the world, that if you are not spiritual, you are empty inside. For example, with Ricky Martin you feel that his aura is very blue, very clear. However, when you go to a session in Miami with kids my age, they only talk about material things. And I’m like, “Okay, it’s great to have a Lamborghini, it’s good to have a Rolex and a great house … and when are you going to have a great soul?” »
In 1994, just three years before Jennifer Lopez rose to fame with the movie Selena, Maluma was born near Envigado, in Medellín, with the name Juan Luis Londoño AriasHis mother was a housewife and his father an employee of a logistics company. “We weren’t rich, although we didn’t experience any hardship either”, emphasizes. “Then my father lost everything and they got divorced”He doesn’t go into details, but points out that at age 12, that experience inspired his work ethic: “It made me realize that I had to do my best so that my family could eat and buy a house. Yet my childhood was happy » One of his most important memories is playing a CD he recorded in a local studio for his high school classmates. “They started to laugh and dance at the same time. I was confused; I thought, are they kidding me or do they really like songs? Finally they told me, “We laugh because you have talent and you are going to succeed” »
Although he has lived between Miami and the private plane that takes him to his concerts and television appearances for the past few years, his home for him remains with his family in Colombia. In fact, the place you connected to is your father’s house. “Medellín is quiet”he assures while looking at the trees. “I know it’s known worldwide as a violent place, but it’s not like that anymore. We are more than that. Pablo Escobar is not Medellín. There are many valuable things to say about this placeHis love for his hometown has also inspired his foundation The art of dreams “When I started my career, I wanted to help the people who had helped me, and they were the kids around, the ones who heard my songs and were my first fans. Of course they sell drugs and go armed », Explain. The organization offers them singing and dance courses, but also hope: «I often repeat that music saved my life. And mine. Music is everything to me.
Family has always been fundamental to Maluma. Not surprisingly, his stage name comes together with the first letters of the names of his mother (Marlli), his father (Luis) and his sister (Manuela). Now he is even inseparable from the latter, with whom he was not very close as a child. “We like to go to the farm, ride horses, talk …”, target. “She’s a psychologist, and it’s nice that someone like that is by your side. This world is very crazy; you need people to support you and listen to you. He is like my spiritual guide. Another childhood memory has to do with his stubbornness to dress himself, even though his aesthetic decisions are sometimes … questionable. “When I was eight years old, my mother didn’t want that because I would, what do I know, bring hats and boots with boxer shorts and a tank top. I’ve always wanted to choose my appearance, ”he repeats.
Today he receives invitations to parades in Paris or New York … although he still asks a little Martian things from his stylist, Ugo Mozie, whom he describes as ‘a machine’. An example? ‘I start,’ Brother, do you know I dreamed of a pink suit with pearls? And he: “Damn, where am I going to find that? Let’s see, give me a moment ”. After a few phone calls, he writes, “Okay, we have to do it for you.” It doesn’t matter what you wear – or what you don’t wear; see if it’s not your hypersexual underwear campaign for Calvin Klein with a hose – because nothing looks wrong. So it is no mystery that it has become muse of designers such as Olivier Rousteing, from Balmain, or Kim Jones, from Dior Homme, author of several looks for his 11:11 tour.
However, it seems that he is no happier with his fashion outings than practicing wakesurfing with his childhood friends in the Guatapé reservoir, two hours east of Medellín. He was there when we made the first interview attempt the day before, but the WiFi prevented it from being completed. He says his most intimate group has remained unchanged: “The truth is, I don’t like making new friends. I’ve tried in the music industry, and it’s tough. Sometimes I feel like they want to be and as soon as I turn around they stab me. I prefer to stick with the security they give me. When I had no money, they were there and invited me to dinner at their house. The same people who laugh at me now enjoy my success. This is life; you should be grateful for everything that happens »