Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez was born in Colombia.  Known by his stage name, Juanes, he started a pop band in 1988, known as Ekhymosis, who released five albums and performed with Alejandro Sanz and Ricky Martin.  However, they became frustrated when they could not gain popularity outside their local geography, and disbanded.

Juanes

My music is a mix between two different worlds - one that has all to do with the folk side of Colombian music, and the other one that came from the rock side. And what I do is to try and mix all the elements that I like from both. And that's what my music is. It's more about freedom - I don't like to categorize my music, I just like to feel - I always improvise and I don't think too much.

The Early Years

Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez was born in Colombia.  Known by his stage name, Juanes, he started a pop band in 1988, known as Ekhymosis, who released five albums and performed with Alejandro Sanz and Ricky Martin.  However, they became frustrated when they could not gain popularity outside their local geography, and disbanded.

He released his first solo album, Fiate Bien, in 2000.  It was warmly received, partially due to his prior fame.  The album did not appear on any charts, but enjoyed moderate commercial success.  His follow-up album in 2002 was a huge hit.  Un Dia Normal certified gold in Mexico on the day of its release.  It certified platinum and multi-platinum in Colombia, Mexico, and Spain,  and spent ninety-two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Latin Albums chart.  

A Rising Star

Un Dia Normal was a hit in the US as well, ultimately certifying 8x platinum.  In 2004, Juanes released Mi Sangre.  Thanks to the success of his previous album and his popular stage presence, this album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Latin Album chart, and was his first album to chart in nine countries, selling 8x platinum.  

Juanes released La Vida . . . Es Un Ratico in 2007.  It was successful, but was unable to match the performance of its predecessors.  From March of 2008 through February of 2009, Juanes traveled the world on his La Vida World Tour.  The tour included 104 concerts in North America, Europe, Mexico, and Latin America.

Present and Future

At least as important to Juanes' career as his music is his activism.  He has taken a very public stand against land mines in Colombia and has made the freedom and welfare of the Colombian people his priority.  He has given performances with the purpose of raising political awareness of Colombian issues, including a performance before the European Parliament in 2006, and has raised millions for the causes he supports.  

According to Nielsen Soundscan, Juanes sold six million digital tracks the week before his 2007 album release.  This number includes  downloads of singles, albums, and ringtones.  Itunes counts him as one of the Top Ten Latin artists in mp3 purchases online.  His next album is due out in 2010 and is already receiving a great deal of press.

Did you know . . .

1. Juanes was declared Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Culture Minister in 2006 for his works in social activism.

2. In 2005, he was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

3. In 2009, Juanes announced plans for his second annual Peace Without Borders concert in Havana, which he almost canceled due to threats he had been receiving on himself and his family.

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