The sky behind them is a whirlwind of gray clouds caressing the peaks of the Andes. But malum, who sits on a terrace overlooking the surrounding vegetation and downtown Medellín, is unhappy, interested only in its appearance, which includes a black Nike Air Force 1, an Audemars Piguet watch, a denim jacket and oversized sunglasses . After a few moments of fighting with Zoom, he manages to activate the sound and starts with joy “What’s going on what’s going on?”.
The outfit and greeting are as strong as this singer should be 27-year-old Colombian composer, whose seductive mix of reggaeton and Latin trap managed to attract a gigantic global audience in the middle of a pandemic. His theme Hawaii, the second single from Papi Juancho’s album – recorded during the closing and published in the summer – reached number 12 in the charts in the United States (and number 1 in our country) and his disco collaboration with Black Eyed Peas, Feel the Beat, was also a success.
Although he acknowledges that, “Of course, 2020 has been difficult for everyone”, he considers it his best year: “Both artistically and personally. I feel reborn ». Like many people, he spent most of his days at home, sorting out his priorities. “Recently, I was talking to my parents and they are happy that I have been in Columbia so long, but they are worried because I do not know what will happen to my work. For me, it was positive to be here. I reconnected with myself », dice.
The truth is that Maluma’s parents have nothing to worry about, because 2021 seems to be another magical year for their son. On January 28, coinciding with his birthday, he launched sixth studio album, titled # 7DJ (Seven Days in Jamaica-Seven Days in Jamaica) and full of reggae and dancehall influences. In addition, if nothing prevents it, it is scheduled to resume the tour interrupted twelve months ago by the pandemic, which in July would bring it to Madrid, Barcelona, Murcia and the Concert Music Festival in Sancti Petri. Yes On June 18, it will premiere in Spain Cásate cu me, a romantic comedy in which she shares the act 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 presented two Latin plays. According to a statistic, only 4.9% of the roles with dialogue in the first 100 films of 2019 were played by Hispanic actors. And the film’s director, Kat Coiro, admits that even in the script it wasn’t like that. “But when I found it, the story took on more nuances.”, highlights. “Beyond sharing the language of fame, there is a common language and culture, which makes Owen’s character feel even stranger.”. Lopez himself, as a producer, proposed Maluma. “I mixed 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 movie. Why not choose a Latin superstar? ”».
What is clear on the screen, as well as in their duet performance at the American Music Awards 2020, is that between the two there is what Coiro calls “A palpable chemistry”. And does it have anything to add? Jennifer is not just a partner … I would say she is my girlfriend; a person I admire and whose career I have followed since I was little. For me, being part of that cast was surreal. And, although it was a surprise that they offered it to me, I was ready ». If so, it is certainly not the first time they have been seen with icons. He recorded several times with his compatriot Shakira and He collaborated with Mdonna on the song Medellín and his video, in addition to singing 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 filmed for almost 48 hours non-stop and I was impressed that, at 62 years old, he looks younger than me. By the way, the good vibes were reciprocal. “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, what amazed me was his ability to work. We saw that we are creative soul mates and we had fun together ».
The word spiritual often appears in conversation, something that is far from its image of other times, when songs like Cuatro Babys brought him this reputation as Don Juan Malote. However, lately he is willing to get rid of the character. “I think today’s artists are losing their spirituality and that’s sad.”, he says. “I do not see him 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 biggest star in the world, that if you are not spiritual, you are empty inside. With Ricky Martin, for example, you feel that his aura is very blue, very clear. However, if I 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 will you have a great soul?” ».
In 1994, just three years before Jennifer Lopez became famous with the movie Selena, malum was born in the neighborhood of Envigado, in Medellín, with the name of Juan Luis Londoño Arias. His mother was a housewife and his father an employee of a logistics company. “We were not rich, although we did not suffer hardships”, points out. “Then my father lost everything and they divorced”. He does not go into details, but points out that that experience at the age of twelve inspired his work ethic: “It made me realize that I have to do my best so that my family can eat and buy a house. Even so, my childhood was happy ». One of his most important memories is playing a CD he recorded at a local studio for his high school classmates. “They started laughing and dancing at the same time. I was confused; I thought: am I kidding or do they really like the songs? Finally, they told me, “We laugh because you have talent and you will succeed.”.
Although in recent years he has lived between Miami and the private plane that takes him to concerts and TV appearances, for him his home continues to be with his family in Columbia. In fact, the place you connected from is your father’s house. “Medellin is quiet”he assures as he glances at the trees. “I know it is known globally as a violent place, but it is no longer so. We are more than that. Pablo Escobar is not Medellín. There are many precious things to say about this place». His love for his hometown also inspired his own foundation, The Art of Dreams. «When I started my career, I wanted to help the people who had helped me, and these were the children in the neighborhood, 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 dancing classes, as well as hope: “I often repeat that music has saved my life. And mine. Music is everything to me.
Family has always been fundamental to Maluma. Not surprisingly, his stage name joins the first letters of the names of his mother (Marlli), his father (Luis) and his sister (Manuela). Now he is inseparable from the latter, with whom he was not too close in childhood. “We like to go to the farm, ride horses, talk …”, aims. “He’s a psychologist, and it’s nice to have someone like him by your side. This world is very crazy; you need people to support and listen to you. He is like my spiritual guide. “Another childhood memory has to do with his stubbornness to dress, even if his aesthetic decisions are sometimes … questionable. «At the age of eight, my mother did not leave me, because I would take, as far as I know, hats and boots with boxers and a T-shirt. I always wanted to choose my appearance “, he reiterates.
Today he receives invitations to parades in Paris or New York … although he still asks his stylist, Ugo Mozie, for something Martian, which he defines as “a car”. An example? «I start:“ Brother, do you know that I dreamed of a pink pearl suit? And he said, “Hell, where am I going to find this?” Let’s see, give me a second. ” After a few calls, he writes, “Okay, we’ll have to do it for you.” It doesn’t matter what you wear – or what you don’t wear; see if not yours hypersexual lingerie campaign for Calvin Klein with hose – because nothing seems wrong. So it didn’t become a mystery the 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, he seems no happier with his fashion getaways than practicing wakesurfing with childhood friends in the Guatapé Reservoir, two hours east of Medellín. He was there when I made the first attempt at the interview the day before, but Wi-Fi prevented him from completing it. 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 difficult. Sometimes I feel like they want to be and as soon as I come back they stab me. I prefer to stay with the security it offers me. When I had no money, they were there, inviting me to eat at their houses. The same people who laughed at me now enjoy my success. That’s life; you have to be grateful for everything that happens ».