Juanes Biography

Colombian-born singer, songwriter and all-out rocker Juanes has been recognized for years not only within Latin-speaking countries, but within the United States as well as a talented performer. Debuting in 2000, his career has been on a constant upward trajectory, with numerous number ones on the Billboard singles charts and plenty of hot selling albums as well.Juanes was born Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez in 1972. He was raised in a musical family, and by the age of seven had already learned to play the guitar. He started by playing traditional Colombian folk music, but quickly expanded his repetoire, listening and copying the music of American rock and metal bands. Later on in life, Juanes would become known for his active sense of social justice, writing songs about inequality that were informed by his early life experiences. His cousin was murdered by kidnappers, and a good friend was shot to death as well. The crime and poverty in Colombia would not be ignored in his music.Juanes formed a successful metal band in Colombia called Ekhymosis, and scored numerous hits, achieving a great deal of domestic fame. But it wasn't until the band broke up in 1998 that he found his true calling in a solo career.After his debut album earned him seven Latin Grammy nominations, Juanes seemed poised for bigger and better things. His sophomore record, Un Dia Normal, would further his career with the hit single A Dios Le Pido, which is essentially a prayer to God for peace throughout the world. In 2004, Juanes released Mi Sangre, and in 2007, La Vida...Es Un Ratico.