Juanes

About Juanes

Latin superstar Juanes is a double threat, harnessing his fame as a method to critique the government of his native Colombia while still turning out classic Spanish love ballads based on traditional song structures. After the breakup of his popular rock en espanol act Ekhymosis Juanes (born Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez) decided to try his luck as a solo rock act. Unlike the prefabricated pop stars prevalent on the Latin pop charts, Juanes brings an intense authenticity to every album. His solo debut Fijata Bien saw him at his most political, and in songs like the title single and the hit "Nada" he laments the politically unstable climate in Columbia. His follow-up Un Dia Normal is considered by fans to be his best album, perfectly mixing the political firebrand with swooning love songs. The disc featured a duet with the eclectic chanteuse Nelly Furtado on the hit "Fotografia," a favor which Jaunes has since returned by appearing on Furtado's track "Te Busque" off her most recent album Loose. The album also included "La Paga" with funky, socially conscious guests The Black Eyed Peas. His latest album, Mi Sangre, has been his slickest production to date. The first three singles-the passionate "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor," "Volverte A Ver" and "La Camisa Negra" all went straight to #1. Juanes was initially dismayed when the last track, translated as "The Black Shirt" was adopted by neo-fascists in Italy as reference to Mussolini's "black shirt" party. Juanes has strenuously denied any connection, saying that the lyrics refer to a lover dressed in black as a sign of mourning. Juanes has won twelve Latin Grammys to date and seems on the brink of crossover success.