Juanes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Juanes
Juanes in 2023
Born	Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez (1972-08-09) 9 August 1972 (age 52) Medellín, Colombia
Occupation	Singer musician
Years active	1988–present
Notable work	Discography
Spouse(s)	Karen Martínez ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	3
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Latin rock rock en español Latin pop cumbia hard rock heavy metal thrash metal
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Universal Latino
Associated acts	Ekhymosis Nelly Furtado Laura Pausini Colbie Caillat Juan Luis Guerra Morat

Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez (born August 9, 1972), known as Juanes, is a famous singer and musician from Colombia. He used to be in a rock band called Ekhymosis. Now, he is a very successful solo artist.

Since his first solo album, Fíjate Bien, came out in 2000, Juanes has won many awards. He has won 26 Latin Grammy Awards and sold over 15 million records around the world. This makes him one of the top-selling Latin music artists ever!

Juanes grew up in Colombia. He started playing piano when he was only two years old. When he was 17, he formed his first band, Ekhymosis, in 1988. They released eight albums and became well-known in Colombia. After the band broke up in 1997, Juanes started his solo career. His album Fíjate Bien (2000) won him three Latin Grammys. His next album, Un Día Normal (2002), became very popular across America. His third album, Mi Sangre (2004), was a huge international hit, especially with the song "La Camisa Negra".

He has released many more albums, including La Vida... Es Un Ratico (2007), P.A.R.C.E. (2010), Loco de Amor (2015), Mis planes son amarte (2017), Más Futuro Que Pasado (2019), Origen (2021), and Vida Cotidiana (2023).

Juanes is also known for his important humanitarian work. He helps victims of anti-personnel mines in Colombia through his organization, Fundacion Mi Sangre. In 2013, he wrote a book about his life called Chasing The Sun.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Juanes was born in Carolina del Príncipe, Antioquia, Colombia. When he was seven, his father and brothers taught him to play the guitar. This love for guitar led him to explore different music styles. He learned about traditional sounds like tango and Vallenato, and even Russian folk music.

He grew up in Medellín. During his childhood, Juanes saw a lot of conflict in his country. This experience made him want to help make things better. He once said, "Colombia has suffered so much that the only way to go forward is to imagine a better country."

As a teenager, Juanes loved rock and metal bands like The Beatles and Metallica. In 1988, he started his rock band, Ekhymosis. They released their first album, Niño Gigante, that same year. The band released seven studio albums and performed with other famous artists. However, Juanes felt the band stayed "very local" to Colombia. So, in 1998, he decided to leave the group to start a solo career.

Solo Music Journey

2000–2003: First Solo Albums

In 2000, Juanes released his first solo album, Fíjate Bien (which means "Take a Good Look"). It was produced by Gustavo Santaolalla. The album was very popular in Colombia, staying at number one for ten weeks. It also won him three Latin Grammys for Best New Artist, Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, and Best Rock Song.

His next album, Un Día Normal (A Normal Day), came out in 2002. It was a huge success in America. The album sold so well that it was certified gold in Colombia on its first day! It also became platinum in countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Spain. This album stayed on Billboard's Top Albums chart for two years, setting a new record.

The first song from the album, "A Dios le Pido" ("To God I Pray"), was a hit. It topped the charts in twelve countries. The album also had "Fotografía" ("Photograph"), a duet with singer Nelly Furtado. Juanes won five Latin Grammys in 2003, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

2004–2005: Mi Sangre Success

Mi Sangre (My Blood) was released in September 2004. It quickly became number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. Three songs from this album reached number one and stayed there for a total of six months. The song "La Camisa Negra" ("The Black Shirt") became especially famous.

Juanes performing on the 'Unplugged' tour

At the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards, Juanes won three more awards. He won for Best Rock Song ("Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor"), Best Rock Solo Album (Mi Sangre), and Best Music Video ("Volverte a Ver"). In 2006, he sang a duet with Tony Bennett called "The Shadow of Your Smile".

2006–2009: La Vida... Es Un Ratico

In June 2006, Juanes took a break to spend time with his family. He then worked on his next album, La Vida... Es Un Ratico (Life is a Little Moment), which came out in October 2007. The first song from this album was "Me Enamora" (I fall in love).

On December 11, 2007, Juanes performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway. This concert was shown live in over 100 countries. In November 2008, he re-released the album with new songs and live versions. One new song was "Odio Por Amor" (hate for love). He also included a duet with singer Colbie Caillat on his song "Hoy Me Voy".

2010–2013: P.A.R.C.E and MTV Unplugged

Juanes FPML

In 2010, Juanes performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kickoff Concert. He also released his album P.A.R.C.E., which had the number one hit "Yerbatero". This album has sold one million copies worldwide.

In February 2012, Juanes recorded a live album called Juanes MTV Unplugged. This special performance was directed by Juan Luis Guerra. The song "La Señal" was released from this album.

2014–2015: Loco de Amor

On March 11, 2014, Juanes released his sixth studio album, Loco de Amor. This was his first studio album since P.A.R.C.E. in 2010. The album won the Best Pop/Rock Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2014. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album in 2015.

2016–2017: Mis planes son amarte

Juanes helped with the 2017 animated movie Ferdinand. He wrote a song for it called "Lay Your Head On Me" and voiced the character Juan. On May 12, 2017, Juanes released Mis planes son amarte. This album came with a space-themed visual album, which is like a long music video. It was filmed in Colombia and Mexico.

Juanes explained that the album connects our ancient roots with the universe. It also explores the daily life and spiritual beliefs of the Kogi people, an indigenous group in Colombia. Mis planes son amarte won the Best Pop/Rock Album at the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. This album was also his first to include a song in English, "Goodbye for Now". In June 2017, Juanes worked with Chilean singer Mon Laferte on the song "Amárrame".

2018–2019: New Sounds and Más futuro que pasado

In 2018, Juanes started exploring more urban music styles. He released "Pa' Dentro" in May 2018. In January 2019, he released "La plata" with Colombian singer Lalo Ebratt. In May, he presented "Querer Mejor" with Canadian singer Alessia Cara. He also collaborated on songs like "Todo bien" and "Minifalda". In September, he released "Bonita" with Sebastián Yatra, which became a top hit.

In November 2019, Juanes released his album Más futuro que pasado. This album showed his move towards urban music while still keeping his rock and pop style. It features many Colombian musicians and other international artists. Juanes said the album is about having hope for the future and wanting to keep trying new things with his music.

2021: Origen

On May 28, 2021, Juanes released his 10th studio album, Origen. This album has twelve cover songs that were important to him growing up. These include songs by Bruce Springsteen, Juan Luis Guerra, and Bob Marley. Juanes said these songs had a big "impact on the memory of my youth, my adolescence, my childhood."

The album mixes many styles like tango, merengue, vallenato, reggae, folk, and heavy metal. A documentary was released with the album on Amazon Prime. In it, Juanes explains why he chose each song and talks with some of the original songwriters. He also covered the Metallica song "Enter Sandman" for a charity album.

Music Style and Influences

Growing up in Colombia, Juanes was first exposed to music like cumbia, salsa, vallenato, and guasca. All these styles have influenced his music. When he was young, Juanes loved the rock band Metallica and tried to play like them. But he realized he needed to find his own style.

He says his music tastes are very wide. He can listen to Slayer and then switch to Residente. He also enjoys Rubén Blades and Silvio Rodriguez, and then goes back to Metallica! He also admires singers like Rosalía, Tego Calderón, J Balvin, Billie Eilish, and Travis Scott.

Juanes' first album, Fíjate Bien, talks about sadness and violence, like the deaths caused by land mines. It also reflected personal losses in his life. His next album, Un Dia Normal, was more hopeful but still talked about war. It also included happier themes like romantic love. Mi Sangre continued to discuss social issues like terrorism.

Romantic love is a common theme in Juanes' songs. His album Mis planes son amarte is full of "gleaming, tuneful, good-natured songs about love". Most of his songs are in Spanish, but he has also sung in Italian, Portuguese, German, and English.

Activism and Helping Others

Juanes often speaks out in his music and interviews about violence and inequality in Colombia. He has talked about the victims of the civil war and how many people are affected every day.

Juanes started the Mi Sangre Foundation to help victims of land mines. In 2005, Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people. He was also honored for his work as a Goodwill Ambassador for United for Colombia, which helps people affected by land mines.

On April 19, 2006, Juanes performed for the European Parliament. This was part of a campaign to raise awareness against the use of landmines worldwide. He was the first singer to perform in their main meeting hall. The Parliament gave money to help clear landmines in Colombia and help the victims.

In honor of his work, he received an escopetarra. This is a decommissioned AK-47 gun that has been turned into a guitar. He later sold it at a fundraiser for US$17,000. Juanes also held a concert in May 2006 that raised about US$350,000 to help injured children and provide them with things like prosthetics and wheelchairs.

In July 2006, France gave Juanes a high cultural honor, L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. They called him "Knight in the order of Arts and Letters" for his social activism. In December 2006, work began on a park in Medellín called "Parque Juanes de la Paz". This park helps people with disabilities.

In June 2013, Juanes appeared in a public service announcement in Spanish for an HIV/AIDS organization. He encouraged people to get tested for HIV.

2009 Peace Concert in Cuba

Juanes during the 2009 Peace Concert in Havana, Cuba

On August 5, 2009, Juanes announced he would hold his second "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana, Cuba. It took place on September 20, 2009, in the famous Plaza de la Revolución.

Some people in the Cuban-American community in Miami were worried. They thought the concert might seem like support for the Cuban government. Juanes explained that he had no connection to the government's politics. He saw it only as an artistic performance to promote peace.

Juanes even thought about canceling the concert because he was worried about his safety. But he decided to go ahead. More than one million people attended the concert, where Juanes performed with 15 other artists from Cuba and around the world.

Personal Life

Juanes met model and actress Karen Martínez while filming his music video "Podemos Hacernos Daño". They got married on August 6, 2004. They separated for a short time in 2007 but got back together four months later.

They have three children: two daughters, Luna (born 2003) and Paloma (born 2005), and one son, Dante (born 2009). Juanes is a vegetarian and lives in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Discography

• Fíjate Bien (2000)
• Un Día Normal (2002)
• Mi Sangre (2004)
• La Vida... Es Un Ratico (2007)
• P.A.R.C.E. (2010)
• Loco de Amor (2014)
• Mis planes son amarte (2017)
• Más futuro que pasado (2019)
• Origen (2021)
• Vida Cotidiana (2023)

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Juanes has won many awards for his music. He has received 4 Grammy Awards and 27 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2019, he was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

Grammy Awards

A Grammy Award is a special prize given in the United States for amazing achievements in music. Juanes has won four of these awards.

Latin Grammy Awards

A Latin Grammy Award is a prize given for great achievements in Latin music. Juanes has won 27 of these awards!

See also

In Spanish: Juanes para niños

• Music of Colombia
• Colombian rock
• List of best-selling Latin music artists