Maluma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maluma
Maluma in 2023
Born	Juan Luis Londoño Arias (1994-01-28) January 28, 1994 (age 31) Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Occupation	Singer rapper songwriter actor
Years active	2010–present
Works	Discography
Partner(s)	Susana Gómez (2020–present)
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Urbano reggaeton Latin trap pop rap
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Sony Music Latin Sony Music Colombia

Juan Luis Londoño Arias (born January 28, 1994), known as Maluma, is a famous singer from Colombia. He was born and grew up in Medellín. Maluma became interested in music when he was young. He started recording songs at age sixteen.

His first album, Magia, came out in 2012. But his big breakthrough was the album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy in 2015. This album helped him work with many other popular artists. He has released several successful albums since then, including F.A.M.E. (2018) and Papi Juancho (2020). His song "Hawái" was a huge hit worldwide. Maluma has sold over 18 million records. This makes him one of the best-selling Latin music artists in Latin music. His music is often described as reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop.

Maluma has many songs that have reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. These include "Felices los 4", "Borró Cassette", and "Corazón". He has also worked with international stars like Shakira, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and The Weeknd. Maluma has won a Latin Grammy Award and an MTV Video Music Award. He has also been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Early Life and Music Start

Maluma was born to Marlli Arias and Luis Londoño. He has an older sister named Manuela. When he was young, Maluma loved playing football. He played in local teams through middle school.

He also became very interested in music as a teenager. His friends at Hontanares School encouraged him to join singing contests. When he was fifteen, he wrote a song called "No quiero" with a friend. His uncle gave him a birthday gift: the chance to record the song in a studio. Music producers were impressed by his talent. They asked him to pick a stage name that people would easily remember. He chose Maluma. This name combines the first letters of his mother's name (Marlli), his father's name (Luis), and his sister's name (Manuela).

Maluma's Music Journey

First Steps and Magia (2010–2013)

Maluma started his music career in 2010 by recording singles. His song "Farandulera" became popular on the radio. Because of this, Sony Music signed him to record his first album. His next song was "Loco," about strong love.

In 2012, Maluma released his first album, Magia. The music video for "Obsesión" was filmed at a railway station. It featured Colombian model Lina Posada. This video has over 185 million views on YouTube. Other songs from the album included "Miss Independent" and "Pasarla Bien". "Miss Independent" reached number two on the Colombian music charts. Maluma was also nominated for "Best New Artist" in 2012.

Maluma performing in Bogotá, Colombia in 2014

In 2013, he released "La Temperatura" with Eli Palacios. This song was the first from his upcoming mixtape. It reached number seven in Colombia. It also became his first song to appear on US Latin music charts.

Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy and F.A.M.E. (2014–2018)

In 2014, Maluma released music videos for "La Curiosidad", "Carnaval", and "Addicted". He also worked with Elvis Crespo on "Olé Brazil" for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In July 2014, Maluma performed "La Temperatura" at the 2014 Premios Juventud awards. That same month, he became a judge on The Voice Kids in Colombia. In August, he hosted the first Kids' Choice Awards Colombia.

Maluma performing during the Festival de Viña del Mar 2017 in Chile

In early 2015, Maluma released the mixtape PB.DB The Mixtape. His second album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, came out later that year. It mixed reggaeton, pop, and urban music. Songs like "Borró Cassette", "El Perdedor", and "Sin Contrato" made it to the top 10 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs. In May 2016, he started his Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy World Tour.

In 2017, his hit song "Felices los 4" became his fifth top 5 song on the Hot Latin Songs chart. "Corazón" also reached the top 5. The music videos for both songs have over 1 billion views on YouTube. He also released a short film called X. It featured his songs "GPS", "Vitamina", and "23".

Maluma recorded the Spanish version of "Colors". This was one of the theme songs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His third album, F.A.M.E., was released on May 18, 2018. He said the name means "Faith, Alma [Soul in Spanish], Music & Essence". He worked with artists like Daddy Yankee and Jason Derulo on this album. He performed "Felices los 4" at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.

11:11 and Papi Juancho (2019–present)

Maluma during the world premiere of music video "Medellín" on MTV in April 2019

In April 2019, it was announced that Maluma would star in the movie Marry Me with Jennifer Lopez. He also lent his voice to the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Encanto as the character Mariano.

On May 17, 2019, Maluma released his fourth album, 11:11. It included popular songs like "HP", "11 PM", and "No Se Me Quita" with Ricky Martin. He also had another song with Madonna called "Soltera" on the album. To promote the album, Maluma went on the 11:11 World Tour.

On August 21, 2020, Maluma surprised fans by releasing his fifth album, Papi Juancho. The song "Hawái" from this album became a huge success. It reached number one in many countries. He later released a remix of "Hawái" with The Weeknd. This remix reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was Maluma's highest spot on that chart.

In January 2021, Maluma released an EP called #7DJ (7 Días en Jamaica). It featured seven songs and their music videos.

Maluma's Music Style

Maluma describes his music as "urban pop." A Billboard editor said that Maluma's reggaeton style is both romantic and raw. It shows how the genre is changing. Maluma said he grew up with reggaeton music. He likes to show how versatile he is as a performer. His albums include ballads, mambo, merengue, and reggaeton.

He looks up to Héctor Lavoe, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Jackson as his main music inspirations. Maluma said Justin Timberlake is a great example for modern music. But for the "sauce" of music, Héctor Lavoe was his number one admired artist. He also said that Shakira's use of traditional elements in her music influenced him. He considers Ricky Martin his idol in the music industry.

Personal Life

Maluma is a Catholic. He has said he respects parts of other religions too.

In 2018, he shared that he was in a relationship with American model Natalia Barulich. They broke up in 2019. In October 2023, Maluma announced that he and his girlfriend Susana Gómez were expecting their first child. They planned to name their daughter Paris. Their daughter was born on March 9, 2024.

Awards and Recognitions

Maluma has been nominated for and won many awards. In 2013, he was nominated for "Best Latin America Central Act" at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards. He was also nominated for "Best New Artist" at the 14th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. He won "Best Radio Song" at the Shock Awards for "La Temperatura".

In 2017, Maluma was nominated for two categories at the Billboard Music Awards, including "Top Latin Artist". In 2019, he won the El Premio ASCAP for Songwriter of the Year. He also won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin in 2020.

Music Albums

Studio albums

• Magia (2012)
• Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy (2015)
• F.A.M.E. (2018)
• 11:11 (2019)
• Papi Juancho (2020)
• Don Juan (2023)

Concert Tours

• Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy World Tour (2016–17)
• F.A.M.E. Tour (2018)
• 11:11 World Tour (2019–20)
• Papi Juancho Tour (2021–22)
• Don Juan Tour (2023–24)

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Maluma para niños

• List of best-selling Latin music artists