Maluma

Biography

Juan Luis Londoño Arias (born 28 January 1994), known professionally as Maluma, is a Colombian rapper, singer, songwriter and actor. Born and raised in Medellín, he developed an interest in music at a young age, recording songs since age sixteen. Arias released his debut album, Magia×Magia7 August 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Intro, magia2:122Pasarla bien3:343Obsesión3:004Primer amor3:225Vámonos de fuga3:016Mala2:517Presiento2:588Loco3:109Miss Independent2:5510La intención2:5211Correr el riesgo2:4112Malo3:2513Dos amores2:5614Farandulera2:4715Hoy2:3316Me gusta todo de ti2:2917Obsesión (remix)3:14, a year later in 2012. But, his breakthrough album was 2015's Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy×Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy30 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Borró cassette3:272¿Dónde estás?3:173El perdedor3:274Me gustas3:375Sin contrato3:416Una aventura3:507Tengo un amor3:478Pretextos3:489Ya no es niña3:3510Solos3:2711Tu cariño3:0712Recuérdame3:1013La misma moneda3:4114Vuelo hacia el olvido3:3315El tiki3:0116Carnaval3:34, which led to successful collaborations with many artists. He released F.A.M.E. in 2018, another commercial success. He followed it with 11:11 in 2019, and Papi Juancho, surprise-released in 2020. His single "Hawái×Hawái29 July 2020 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hawái3:20" (remixed by The Weeknd) reached number three on the Billboard Global 200, and became the first number one single on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. Selling more than 18 million records (albums and singles), Maluma is one of the best-selling Latin music artists. Musically, Maluma's songs have been described as reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop.
Maluma has a number of singles that have charted within the top ten on Billboard Hot Latin Songs, including "Felices los 4×Felices los 421 April 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Felices los 43:49", "Borró Cassette×Borró cassette29 June 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Borró cassette3:27", and "Corazón×Corazón4 November 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Corazón3:04". His collaborative efforts "Chantaje" with Shakira and "Medellín" with Madonna have reached the top of the Hot Latin Songs and the Dance Club Songs chart, respectively. He has worked with other international artists, such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, J Balvin, Anitta, and The Weeknd. Maluma has won a Latin Grammy Award, an MTV Video Music Award, two Latin American Music Awards, and been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

Early life

Maluma was born to Marlli Arias and Luis Londoño and grew up with an older sister, Manuela. He took an early interest in football which he started playing as a toddler through middle school, competing in the lower divisions in the reserve teams of Atlético Nacional and La Equidad. Additionally, he developed a keen interest in music during his early teenage years and was famed as a good singer in his high school. He graduated from Hontanares School in El Retiro where he was encouraged by many of his friends to enter local singing competitions.
Maluma got his first musical break when he was fifteen after he composed, together with a close friend, a song titled "No quiero"; a year later Juan Parra, his uncle, offered him the opportunity to record it in a studio as his birthday present. After impressing a group of music producers, he was asked to choose a name that would be easy to remember and be accepted by followers of the urban genre. He chose the stage name Maluma, which is a combination of the first syllable of the names of his mother Marlli, his father Luis and his sister Manuela.

2010–2013: Beginnings and Magia

Maluma began his musical career in 2010, recording singles. After "Farandulera" became a radio hit, Sony Music and its subsidiary label Sony Music Colombia decided to sign the singer to record his first studio album. His next single was "Loco", which was inspired by "rampant and uncontrolled love".
In 2012, Maluma released his first studio album, titled Magia×Magia7 August 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Intro, magia2:122Pasarla bien3:343Obsesión3:004Primer amor3:225Vámonos de fuga3:016Mala2:517Presiento2:588Loco3:109Miss Independent2:5510La intención2:5211Correr el riesgo2:4112Malo3:2513Dos amores2:5614Farandulera2:4715Hoy2:3316Me gusta todo de ti2:2917Obsesión (remix)3:14. The video for the single "Obsesión×Obsesión9 December 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Obsesión2:58" was filmed at the Antioquia Department Railway Station and featured Colombian model Lina Posada, who had previously appeared in the music video for the song "Taboo" (2011) by Don Omar. So far the video has more than 185 million views on YouTube. Other singles released from the album include "Miss Independent" and "Pasarla Bien×Pasarla bien25 June 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Pasarla bien3:36", with "Miss Independent" reaching number two on the Colombian National-Report songs chart, becoming his first top five song on the chart. Maluma was also nominated for a 2012 Shock Award as "Best New Artist". The final two singles from his debut album, "Primer Amor" and "Miss Independent"; the latter was accompanied with a music video, recorded in Medellín, gathering 48 million views on YouTube.

In 2013, "La Temperatura×La temperatura10 June 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1La temperatura3:45", featuring Puerto Rican singer Eli Palacios, was released as the first single from his upcoming mixtape, PB.DB The Mixtape×PB.DB The Mixtape2014 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1La temperatura3:452La curiosidad3:393Addicted3:354Carnaval3:325Me gustas tanto3:496Climax3:327La invitación3:398El punto3:389Duele tanto3:4410Tus besos3:39; the song reached number seven on the National-Report charts. It also became his first single to enter the US charts for the Latin audience by Billboard; it reached number 25 on the Tropical Songs chart, number 8 on the Latin Pop Airplay songs chart, number 24 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number 4 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay songs chart.

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

In 2014, he released the music videos for the singles "La Curiosidad×La curiosidad8 April 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1La curiosidad3:39", "Carnaval×Carnaval25 June 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Carnaval3:32" and "Addicted×Addicted2 July 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Addicted3:34". He also collaborated with singer Elvis Crespo, on the theme song "Olé Brazil×Olé Brazil6 May 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Olé Brazil3:30" recorded for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 16 July 2014, Maluma appeared at the 2014 Premios Juventud, where he performed "La Temperatura×La temperatura10 June 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1La temperatura3:45". That same month, the singer was confirmed as a judge/coach on Caracol Television's The Voice Kids, alongside Fanny Lu and Andrés Cepeda. In August, he made his debut as a host at the inaugural awards Kids' Choice Awards Colombia of 2014.

In early 2015, Maluma released the mixtape PB.DB The Mixtape×PB.DB The Mixtape2014 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1La temperatura3:452La curiosidad3:393Addicted3:354Carnaval3:325Me gustas tanto3:496Climax3:327La invitación3:398El punto3:389Duele tanto3:4410Tus besos3:39, a compilation of various singles. His second album Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy×Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy30 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Borró cassette3:272¿Dónde estás?3:173El perdedor3:274Me gustas3:375Sin contrato3:416Una aventura3:507Tengo un amor3:478Pretextos3:489Ya no es niña3:3510Solos3:2711Tu cariño3:0712Recuérdame3:1013La misma moneda3:4114Vuelo hacia el olvido3:3315El tiki3:0116Carnaval3:34 was released in late 2015, containing elements of reggaeton, pop and urban music. The singles "Borró Cassette×Borró cassette29 June 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Borró cassette3:27", "El Perdedor" and "Sin Contrato×Sin contrato20 November 2015 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Sin contrato3:01" entered the top 10 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs.
In April of that year he performed at the newly named Riccardo Silva Stadium for the inaugural match of the new NASL soccer team The Miami FC. He then embarked on The Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy World Tour in May 2016.
In 2017, his hit single "Felices los 4×Felices los 421 April 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Felices los 43:49" became his fifth top 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, followed by "Corazón×Corazón4 November 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Corazón3:04", which also reached the top 5 on the chart. The music videos for both singles have over 1 billion views on YouTube. He also released the short film X, which featured his songs "GPS" featuring French Montana, "Vitamina×Vitamina23 November 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Vitamina4:30" featuring Arcángel and "23".
Maluma recorded the Spanish version of "Colors×Colors13 April 2018 · Single · RemixSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Colors3:19", one of the theme songs of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and performed in English by Jason Derulo. Maluma returned to the Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami to record the video, one of a growing number of artists using the city to shoot music videos. Maluma's third studio album F.A.M.E.×F.A.M.E.18 May 2018 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro - F.A.M.E.1:392Corazón3:043El préstamo3:394Cuenta a saldo3:175Hangover4:016Mi declaración3:457How I Like It2:518Marinero3:099Delincuente3:2610Condena3:2911Ojos que no ven3:4012La ex3:1113Unfollow3:2114Felices los 43:4915Felices los 4 (salsa version)4:02 was released on 18 May 2018. In an interview he expressed its name means "Faith, Alma [Soul in Spanish], Music & Essence". He worked with producers Jay Cash, Vinylz and collaborators Daddy Yankee, Prince Royce and Jason Derulo on the album. He performed "Felices los 4" at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. With "Mala Mia", he topped the Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Songs and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts for the second time in the year, following "Clandestino".

2019–2020: 11:11 and Papi Juancho

In 2019, Maluma collaborated with American singer-songwriter Madonna, appearing on the songs "Medellín" and "Bitch I'm Loca" from her album Madame X. In April it was announced that Maluma will star in Marry Me alongside Jennifer Lopez. He also featured as a voice actor in Walt Disney Animation Studios film Encanto as Mariano.
On 17 May 2019, Maluma released his fourth studio album 11:11, supported by the singles "HP", "11 PM", "Instinto Natural" with Sech and "No Se Me Quita" with Ricky Martin. Another collaboration with Madonna, "Soltera", appeared on the album. To promote the album, Maluma embarked on the 11:11 World Tour, with concerts around the world between May 2019 and September 2020.
On 26 September 2019, he collaborated with Colombian singer J Balvin on his single "Qué Pena".
Maluma surprise-released his fifth studio album, Papi Juancho×PAPI JUANCHO21 August 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Medallo City3:532Bella-K3:433Hawái3:194Cielo a un diablo3:255Perdón3:006La cura2:567Luz verde3:038Cuidau3:339Parce4:0810Viento (Interlude)2:4211Madrid3:1812Salida de escape3:0413Ansiedad3:4014Mai mai3:5715Vete vete4:0316Me acuerdo de ti3:4317Boy Toy3:1518Booty2:3719Quality2:4120Copas de vino3:1221ADMV3:1322ADMV (versión urbana)3:05, on 21 August 2020. The second single from Papi Juancho, "Hawái×Hawái29 July 2020 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hawái3:20", became a commercial success. It reached number one in multiple countries and topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks, becoming his second number-one hit on the chart. He also released a remix featuring The Weeknd. The remix peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Maluma's highest peak on the chart.

2021–2024: #7DJ, The Love & Sex Tape, and Don Juan

On 29 January 2021, Maluma released an EP titled #7DJ (7 Días en Jamaica)×#7DJ (7 días en Jamaica)28 January 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Tónika3:512Love3:093Chocolate3:344Agua de Jamaica2:575Desayun‐arte2:406La burbuja3:497Peligrosa3:46 featuring seven songs along with their music videos on his YouTube channel.
On June 10, 2022, Maluma surprise-dropped an EP titled The Love & Sex Tape×The Love & Sex Tape10 June 2022 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Cositas de la USA3:09A2Sexo sin título3:08A3Nos comemos vivos3:45A4Tsunami4:03B1Mojando asientos4:12B2La vida es bella2:40B3Mal de amores3:47B4Happy Birthday3:19 featuring eight songs with many collaborations including Feid, Chencho Corleone, Arcángel. A month later on August 19, he would drop a deluxe edition featuring three more songs.
On August 25, 2023, Maluma released this sixth studio album Don Juan×Don Juan25 August 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks1Don Juan3:062COCO LOCO2:473Ave María3:184Los polvos2:565Nómina2:206Balance3:007Según quién2:228Procura3:069Luna llena3:0210Trofeo3:4211Parcera2:3212Ojitos chiquiticos3:1213La piloto3:1114Porsche2:2515Hace un mes2:5316Aparentemente2:2417Humedad2:3618Bikini2:4519Gafas negras3:0620Sobrio3:2121Mama tetema3:0822Junio2:4923La fórmula4:2724La reina2:2225Diablo, qué chimba3:51 featuring 25 songs with six of them being considered bonus tracks.

2025–Present: Loco X Volver

On July 17, 2025, Maluma released his single "Bronceador×BRONCEADOR17 July 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1BRONCEADOR2:29" which become his first No. 1 song of the year on Billboard’s Latin Airplay.
On May 15, 2026, Maluma released his seventh studio album Loco X Volver×Loco x volver15 May 2026 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Loco x volver3:322Pa' la seca3:053Tu recuerdo3:564De bar en bar2:5551+13:066De buena que sí3:007Canción de cuna0:528El vallenato3:449Una vida juntos3:1410Sornero3:2211Ganosa2:2212BOTERO4:1513Con el corazón3:0914Los poderes3:28 featuring 14 songs including four previously released tracks. Maluma describes the album as “the most personal project I have ever created” and said that it “truly represents my roots and my culture.” The album has a blend of pop reggaetón, salsa, vallenato, and acoustic pop. On September 18, 2026 the fourth collaboration with Shakira "Agua" was published through Sony Latin.

Artistry

Maluma possesses a tenor vocal range. Maluma defines his music as "urban pop". A Billboard editor wrote, "Maluma's brand of reggaetón syncs nicely with his image, managing to be both romantic and raw. His sound represents an evolution of the genre." In a 2016 interview, he stated: "I grew up with this genre [reggaeton] that literally became life. It is one of the genres that I sing... I am an urban performer, I sing reggaeton. If you listen to my last album [Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy×Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy30 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Borró cassette3:272¿Dónde estás?3:173El perdedor3:274Me gustas3:375Sin contrato3:416Una aventura3:507Tengo un amor3:478Pretextos3:489Ya no es niña3:3510Solos3:2711Tu cariño3:0712Recuérdame3:1013La misma moneda3:4114Vuelo hacia el olvido3:3315El tiki3:0116Carnaval3:34] there are ballads, mambo, merengue and reggaeton and underground stuff. I like to show the versatility that I have to perform."
He has cited Héctor Lavoe, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson as his main musical influences. While talking about them, Maluma said: "Justin Timberlake has been a great reference for modern music. But as for music as a sauce, Héctor Lavoe was always the number one artist I admired. I know all his songs, I listen to them every day and there is not one that bores me. He is my great musical inspiration." He considers the folkloric elements Shakira incorporated into her music an important influence on his career. He has also stated that Ricky Martin "is one of the artists I wanted to be growing up, He's my idol in the industry".

Public image

In 2019, Vogue called Maluma "Menswear Icon in the Making", saying "Maluma has attitude, Maluma has style. He likes his clothes brights and bold, which goes quite nicely with his bright and bold music, personality, and overall demeanor." In 2021, he collaborated with Balmain on a Miami-Inspired Capsule Collection. In March 2022, he launched a clothing line titled Royalty by Maluma, which is a collaboration with Reunited Clothing and Macy's.
Through his music, he has also carried out social activism, such as the music video for "El Perdedor", where showcased the racism and discrimination by the US police to people of Latin descent living in the country. Maluma has publicly declared his support for the LGBT community.
In October 2016, there was some controversy over the lyrics to his song "Cuatro Babys" featuring Noriel, Bryant Myers, and Juhn, as some considered them to objectify women. A petition was posted on Change.org demanding the removal of the song from digital platforms. Despite this controversy, the popularity of "Cuatro Babys" earned it a 12× Latin Platinum certification by the RIAA.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Maluma left a live TV interview broadcast on Israeli public television after the reporter suggested he could be accused of whitewashing Qatari human rights abuses.
Maluma has done a number of venture capital investments, including TREBEL Music and Colombian proptech company La Haus.

Personal life

Maluma is Catholic, but has said he appreciates aspects of other religions as well.
He was in a relationship with American model Natalia Barulich from 2018 to 2019.
Maluma and girlfriend Susana Gómez have a daughter, Paris, born 9 March 2024. On 10 May 2026, Maluma revealed that he and Gómez are expecting their second child, a boy. On 14 September 2026, their son named Orion Londoño Gomez was born.