Biography

Juan Luis Londoño Arias, (born 28 January 1994), better known by his stage name Maluma, is a Colombian singer and songwriter, signed to Sony Music Colombia and Sony Latin.

Career

2010–13: Career beginnings, debut and rise to fame

Maluma began his musical career in 2010, recording singles. After "Farandulera" became a local radio hit, Sony Music and its subsidiary label Sony Music Colombia decided to sign the singer to record his first studio album. The label then launched the next single, "Loco," which was inspired by "rampant and uncontrolled love."

In 2012, Maluma released his first studio album, titled Magia. The video for the single "Obsesión" was filmed at the Antioquia Department Railway Station and featured Colombian model Lina Posada, who had previously appeared in the music video for the song "Taboo" (2011) by Don Omar. So far the video has more than 175 million views on YouTube. Other singles released from the album include "Miss Independent" and "Pasarla Bien," which reached the top 3 of Colombia's chart National-Reportand became the first top 5 song on that list. Maluma was also nominated for a 2012 Shock Award as "Best New Artist."The final two singles from his debut album, "Primer Amor" and "Miss Independent"; the latter was accompanied with a music video, recorded in Medellín, gathering more than 35 million views on YouTube.

In 2013, "La Temperatura", featuring Puerto Rican singer Eli Palacios, was released as the first single from his upcoming mixtape, PB.DB The Mixtape; the song reached number seven on the National-Report charts. It also became his first single to enter the US charts for the Latin audience by Billboard; it reached number 25 on the Tropical Songs chart, number 8 on the Latin Pop Airplay songs chart, number 24 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number 4 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay songs chart.

2014–present: The Voice Kids and second studio album

In 2014, he released the music videos for the singles "La Curiosidad", "Addicted" and "Carnaval". He also collaborated with singer Elvis Crespo, on the theme song "Olé Brazil" recorded for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On July 16, 2014, Maluma appeared at the 2014 Premios Juventud, where he performed "La Temperatura". That same month, the singer was confirmed as a judge/coach on Caracol Television's The Voice Kids, alongside Fanny Lu and Andrés Cepeda. In August, he made his debut as a host at the inaugural awards Kids' Choice Awards Colombia of 2014.

In early 2015, Maluma released the mixtape PB.DB The Mixtape, a compilation of various singles. His second album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy was released in late 2015, containing elements of reggaeton, pop and urban music. The singles "Borró Cassette", "El Perdedor" and "Sin Contrato" entered the top 10 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs.

In 2016, he collaborated with artists Thalía, Ricky Martin and Shakira. He embarked on The Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy World Tour in May 2016. In December 2016, Maluma was featured in the remix of "Me Llamas" by Columbian band Piso 21.

In 2017, his hit single "Felices los 4" became his fifth top 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart.

Artistry

Maluma has cited Hector Lavoe, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson as his main music influences. He defines his music as "urban pop". A Billboard editor wrote, "Maluma’s brand of reggaetón syncs nicely with his image, managing to be both romantic and raw. His sound represents an evolution of the genre." In an interview in 2016 he stated:

I grew up with this genre that literally became life. It is one of the genres that I sing, because I am not a reggaetonero, I am an urban performer, I sing reggaeton. If you listen to my last album there are ballads, mambo, merengue and reggaeton and underground stuff. I like to show the versatility that I have to perform.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Maluma

In 2013, Maluma was nominated for several awards, including for MTV Europe Music Award for Best Latin America Central Act at the 2013 MTV EMAs, and the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist, as well as a win for "Best Radio Song" at the 2013 Shock Awards for "La Temperatura". In 2017, Maluma was nominated for two categories at the Billboard Music Awards including Top Latin Artist.