Maluma

Who Is Maluma?

Maluma, a prominent Latin musician, is celebrated for his contributions to genres such as Latin pop, urban, reggaeton, and salsa. He made his debut on the Billboard charts with his first track in 2014, which achieved significant success on both the Latin Airplay and Hot Latin Songs charts. Since then, he has successfully crossed over to mainstream audiences, landing multiple hits on the Billboard Hot 100. As a social media influencer, Maluma gained notable recognition in 2016 as the first male Latino artist to surpass 10 million followers on Instagram.

Among his most popular songs are “Felices Los 4,” “HP,” “Hawái” (featuring The Weeknd), and “Corazón” (featuring Nego do Borel), all of which have made their mark on the Billboard Hot 100. His collaborative work includes partnerships with some of the music industry’s biggest names, such as Shakira on “Chantaje” (2016) and “Clandestino” (2018), and Madonna on “Medellín” (2019). To date, Maluma has released six studio albums: Magia (2012), Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy (2015), F.A.M.E. (2018), 11:11 (2019), Papi Juancho (2020), and The Love & Sex Tape (2022). His accolades include a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2012, winning the Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for F.A.M.E. in 2019, and receiving a nomination for Best Latin Pop Album for 11:11 in 2020.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Maluma has ventured into acting, voicing the character Mariano in Disney’s animated film Encanto (2021) and starring as Bastian alongside Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in Marry Me (2022).

What Does Maluma Mean?

The name “Maluma” is a heartfelt tribute to his family. It combines the first two letters of each of his family members’ names: his mother, Marlii; his father, Luis; and his older sister, Manuela.

Early Life and Soccer

Born Juan Luis Londoño Arias on January 28, 1994, in the Envigado neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia, Maluma grew up in a working-class family. His father was employed at a logistics company, while his mother dedicated her time to homemaking.

From a young age, Maluma displayed a passion for performance, often singing mariachi songs to entertain his mother. “Since I was a kid, I would perform in front of everybody,” he shared in an interview with VMan. “I’d sing all of these mariachi songs to my mom, and that was something that my father couldn’t believe… that I was so young but still wanted to do these performances in front of everyone.”

In addition to music, Maluma was drawn to soccer, becoming enamored with the sport at the age of seven. He had aspirations of joining Atlético Nacional, one of Colombia’s premier soccer teams.

To support his family during challenging times, he began selling sandwiches and sweets at school after his father’s business faced difficulties. However, it was his parents’ divorce that profoundly impacted his life. “I was the man of the house at 10 years old. I had to comfort my mother and my sister,” he recounted in the 2019 YouTube Original documentary Lo Que Era, Lo Que Soy, Lo Que Seré. “It was a time of chaos; the family was in a kind of fog.”

This tumultuous period instilled in him a strong work ethic. “It’s what made me realize I had to work super hard so my family could have food and a house to live in,” he reflected in an interview with Elle.

At the age of 15, Maluma set a determined goal for himself: to become either Colombia’s greatest soccer star or its most celebrated pop sensation. His sister noted in the documentary, “I always told him he was going to fill stadiums, whether through soccer or through music.”

Teenage Dreams and Finding Music

By his 16th birthday, Maluma faced a pivotal moment in his life: he made the significant decision to leave the soccer team. “I’m still a huge fan of sports,” he shared with Paper magazine. “I love exercising, and that’s something that soccer gave me: discipline, constancy, perseverance, character, the ability to make decisions.” Instead of pursuing athletics, he turned to music, requesting his aunt to finance studio time for recording his first song. “I went to the studio and fell in love with the music I was doing,” he revealed to VMan. This experience led him to recognize that music was more than a pastime; it was his calling. “I realized that the only way I could live a happy life was making music,” he stated in an interview with British GQ.

Proud of his original compositions, he shared them with friends. “They started laughing, but then they started dancing,” he recounted to Elle. Confused by their reaction, he wondered if they were mocking him or genuinely enjoying the music. Ultimately, they affirmed, “Bro, you know what? We are laughing because you are talented and you are going to make it happen.”

As he began performing at various venues, including quinceaneras and schools, his ambitions remained focused on a larger stage. “I always wanted to be a global star,” he disclosed to L’Officiel. While his family harbored doubts about his potential for success, Maluma cultivated a strong work ethic and discipline.

Understanding the importance of self-promotion, he noted, “I think that was the key—working hard and sharing my music.” He credited social media for playing a vital role in his career, stating, “When I started, there were a lot of things that were getting ready to make my dream come true.” By 2010, he was actively securing gigs through platforms like Twitter, performing at various high schools and radio stations across Colombia and Latin America. “I put my whole life into my career,” he reflected.

Early Career and Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy

In 2012, Maluma released his debut album, Magia, under Sony Music Latin. The album achieved gold certification in Colombia and earned him a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. His breakout came in 2014 with the song “La Curiosidad,” which marked his entrance onto the Latin pop charts.

However, it was his second album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, released in 2015, that catapulted him to international fame. The album debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, maintaining its presence for 178 weeks. According to his official biography, it expertly blended two distinct musical styles—soft ballads representing his “pretty boy” persona and reggaeton reflecting the “dirty boy” side, featuring collaborations with artists like Arcangel, Farruko, Cosculluela, and Alex & Fido.

While much of Maluma’s early music and videos were characterized as racy, the track “Cuatro Babys” ignited a Change.org petition in 2016, criticizing its portrayal of women.

Hit Albums

Maluma’s 2018 album, F.A.M.E., anchored by the hit single “Marinero,” garnered the Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album and marked his first entry on the Billboard 200 album chart, where it peaked at No. 37 and remained for six weeks. His subsequent album, 11:11, released in 2019, featured collaborations with major artists like Ricky Martin, Ty Dolla Sign, and Madonna, peaking at No. 30 on the chart for five weeks. In 2020, his album Papi Juancho, recorded during the pandemic, peaked at No. 34 and maintained its position for 24 weeks. On his 27th birthday in 2021, he released the EP #7DJ (7 Días en Jamaica), inspired by a week spent on the island prior to the pandemic. He continued his creative journey in 2022 with a surprise album, The Love & Sex Tape.

Collaborations with Shakira and Madonna

Around the release of his second album, Shakira sought collaborators for her new project, and Sony Music Latin executive Afo Verde recommended Maluma. Shakira described their partnership as having “absolute chemistry,” noting that the creative energy between them flowed effortlessly.

Their collaboration yielded hit songs such as “Chantaje,” “Clandestino,” and “Trap.” Shakira praised Maluma, stating, “He has this mental agility to write lyrics, melodies, and the best thing is, we always agree.”

The MTV Video Music Awards in 2018 proved to be a fortuitous networking opportunity when Maluma performed “Felices los 4,” leading to an introduction to Madonna in her dressing room. “It was a beautiful moment,” he recalled. “I thanked her for having made music history and told her I was charmed to meet her.” This encounter eventually led to a collaboration with Madonna on the song “Medellín,” which featured contributions from Maluma on the main chorus and verses.

Film Career: Encanto and Marry Me

Maluma transitioned to the silver screen by voicing Mariano Guzmán in Disney’s animated hit, Encanto, in 2021. He expressed pride in being part of a film that portrays Colombia in a positive light. “It feels great when you fly to other countries, and they don’t talk about Pablo Escobar anymore,” he noted. “For me, that’s beautiful. They talk about Encanto.”

He made his on-screen debut in the 2022 romantic comedy Marry Me, alongside Hollywood stars Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. After admitting to Lopez that he was nervous on his first day on set, she offered him straightforward advice: “Don’t be stupid. Just be you. You know how to do it; it’s the same as when you’re on stage.” Maluma found her guidance effective, and Lopez expressed enthusiasm for working with him, stating, “With my production company, we wanted to have an international star who could be right there with me to make an album that was bilingual.”

Style Icon

From a young age, Maluma exhibited a strong sense of style, often wanting to choose his own outfits. “When I was eight, my mom wouldn’t let me, because I’d wear hats and boots with, like, boxers and a tank top,” he shared with Elle. As he began his career, he recognized the connection between fashion and music. “Colombian brands wanted to work with me,” he explained, noting that he began to be seen not just as a singer but also as a fashion icon.

Maluma credits his parents for their fashion sense, asserting that style has always been integral to his identity. He has since become a fixture in the fashion world, modeling for prominent brands such as Calvin Klein and attending events like the Met Gala, where he wore custom Versace in 2021. Fashion designer Donatella Versace remarked, “He’s a man who’s bold enough to experiment and play with his style.”

In 2022, Maluma launched his first ready-to-wear fashion line, Royalty by Maluma, in collaboration with Macy’s and Reunited Clothing.

Giving Back

Recognizing the transformative power of music, Maluma established the El Arte de Los Sueños foundation in 2016, aiming to assist at-risk youth in connecting with the arts through programs in dance and music. Based in Medellín, his sister Manuela Londoño serves as the foundation’s president.

“When I started my career, I wanted to help the people who were helping me,” he reflected, emphasizing his commitment to providing opportunities for youth in his community. “There is a new generation with a lot of talent, and I want all of them to know that dreams do come true as I am achieving mine,” he affirmed. “The Art of Dreams is the perfect trampoline to help young people in Colombia who can’t afford to develop their dreams.”

Maluma understands firsthand the life-changing impact of support and encouragement. “I always say that music saved my life, saved my family’s life. For me, music is everything,” he stated.