After a breakthrough 12 months with the blockbuster hit Solcito, Juan Duque’s future appears even brighter. The Colombian heartthrob is positioning himself as the subsequent international pop star with soulful and mawkish songs that transcend genres. On the identical time, Duque exhibits a distinct aspect to his homeland, which has roots within the small city of Marinilla. His humble beginnings are the muse on which he builds his path to superstardom.
“It’s due to my upbringing in Marinilla that I’m hard-working, accountable and never afraid of something,” says Duque. “The folks listed here are go-getters. If I can add a grain of sand and lift the profile of Marinilla, I will be very joyful, as a result of I’ll get to know a distinct sort of tradition, philosophy and other people right here.”
Over the previous decade, Medellín has grow to be Colombia’s reggaeton capital, due to the success of artists equivalent to J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, Fayed, and Ryan Castro. On the outskirts of town is Duque’s rural hometown of Marinilla. Impressed by the aforementioned actions, he began working as an impartial artist 5 years in the past. Duque finally captivated Colombia with romantic reggaeton hits like “Maria” and remixes of songs that includes Castro. Since signing with Warner Music Latina in 2024, he has made strides in reggaeton, whereas additionally branching out into genres equivalent to pop with “Lejos de mis ojos” and bachata with “Ni con el, ni conmigo.”
Duque is making waves within the rising Latin Afrobeat scene. Alongside Miguel Bueno, he created one of many style’s largest hits with their collaboration “Solcito,” which racked up over 174 million streams on Spotify. Duque has teased his second album with the Afrobeat-infused hits ‘Ojalá’ and ‘Un Afrito’ that includes Nampa Basiko. As his music grew on a global degree, he began getting co-signs from J Balvin and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Whereas in Marinilla, Duque spoke to UPROXX about his upbringing, making music that’s true to himself, and his imaginative and prescient for 2026.
Do you are feeling that by means of your success, extra persons are studying about Marinilla?
It isn’t a lot a illustration of my metropolis as it’s a illustration of the values, tradition and my roots from right here. I did not develop up within the metropolis or the countryside, so I did not know something in regards to the space. I grew up in a typical rural life. Know what it is wish to stay within the mountains and work on a farm whereas studying about nature, animals, and cultivation. I am joyful that folks discover out that I am from Marinilla and know that the folks listed here are sort, noble, humble and hardworking.
Talking of success, how do you are feeling in regards to the previous 12 months in your music profession?
It has been an ideal 12 months. This 12 months has been a 12 months of nice development in my profession. I am particularly joyful that due to the success of Solcito, I have been in a position to journey to many alternative nations. That music opened a whole lot of doorways for us internationally. I used to be in a position to stand in entrance of so many individuals and go on my first abroad tour. I am grateful for all the things that occurred final 12 months.
How did Miguel Bueno and the music “Solcito” come about?
My instinct could be very correct, so I’ll proceed to observe my instinct. Miguel and I have been engaged on one other music. The day we met within the studio to complete one other music, I had already developed “Solcito.” I used to be listening to it on the way in which to the studio. Once I obtained there, I stated, “Sorry, we should always do ‘Solcito’ as an alternative.” They stated they have been about to complete one other music and needed to submit it. I stated: “It’s important to work on ‘solcito.’” Imagine me, it’s superb. ” Miguel preferred it and stated, “You are loopy, however I consider you, so let’s preserve going.” Then “Solcito” got here out, and it was stunning to see what occurs when you do not know what is going on to occur and do not surrender and observe your instinct.
Afrobeats is a brand new frontier in Latin music. Along with “Solcito”, songs equivalent to “Ojalá” and “Un Afrito” have been added. The place did the concept to discover Afrobeats come from?
I like the Afrobeats style for one cause: it jogs my memory of gorgeous moments and reminiscences on the seaside. I like spending time within the Caribbean. Afrobeats was all the craze final 12 months and I liked it as a result of I believed I may get music that was excellent for the seaside. I like listening to and feeling the vibe of Afrobeats. This previous 12 months, I needed to convey that joyful, feel-good vibe in my music. This can be a soulful style and I discover it as a result of I benefit from the really feel of it.
Along with Afrobeat, some songs discover genres equivalent to reggaeton, pop, and bachata. Why is it necessary to department out into different genres?
I am having fun with it. If you wish to discover completely different genres, it is for enjoyable. As a result of it is what I like and wish to do. I by no means take into consideration what’s well-liked. In case you do not feel it, do not do it. I do not outline the sound of my music. As a result of in the event you outline it, you restrict your self. I am an artist who sings in regards to the vibes I wish to really feel. I specific what I really feel no matter style. I make music for individuals who like and revel in all the things.
I like how the “Maria” remix music video incorporates a same-sex couple into the combination. As an ally, why was it necessary so that you can normalize LGBTQ+ relationships in that video?
It was very stunning. As a result of I do not assume there’s ever been a reggaeton music video that had content material like that earlier than. I liked doing it as a result of it confirmed the reggaeton folks that you would be able to additionally make movies with that sort of relationship. Above all, the music “Maria” is a music that everybody can relate to. That music represents love in all its varieties. The remix video broke the wall of affection. It was stunning to specific love as it’s. I like and help the LGBTQ+ group as a lot as they help me. I make music for everybody.
You will have followers who see you as a intercourse image due to your charisma, lyrics, and physique sort. How do you are feeling about being seen like that?
It is good to be praised, however I do not consider myself that means. Once I began my profession a couple of years in the past, I needed to cover that a part of myself. I did not wish to be seen that means and I did not need my picture to face out. My followers made me notice that it is okay to indicate who I’m and never have to cover myself anymore. If I wish to seem shirtless in a music video or take my shirt off throughout a live performance, I am going to do it. They informed me to indicate them who I’m as a result of folks like that sort of factor. Now I am like, “Good luck! In case you like, fantasize about me. Have enjoyable!” [Laughs.] It is nice that they care about me like that, and most of all, it exhibits me that it is my music that makes me stand out.
You spent a while with J Balvin. What does it imply to you to have the help of Colombia’s largest artist?
They help me on a human degree somewhat than an artist degree. Jose [J Balvin] He gave me very precious recommendation about my life and profession. I like getting recommendation from folks I respect. He’s my finest good friend as a result of I can speak to him once I have to. It would not matter whether or not you cooperate or not. The necessary factor is that you would be able to speak to him once you want one thing or have questions. You possibly can speak or e-mail him once you want recommendation. It’s a blessing to fulfill somebody like Jose. In case you have been to ask me about my largest dream collaboration, I might say J Balvin.
What was the expertise like working with Coldplay’s Chris Martin?
It was so loopy and surreal. I by no means imagined I might sit down and speak with an artist like him and a human being so related to his life. As I sat with him, I felt like a few of his power transferred to me. We talked about life, our roots and feelings. Once I confirmed him the music “Ohara” that I wrote with Nampa Bashiko, he stated, “That music is already successful.” Once I informed him that this music hadn’t been launched for twenty-four hours, he stated: “You keep in mind once I stated this music was successful.” 5 months later, the music was an enormous hit in Colombia. Folks devoted the music to their companions and even married it. Chris Martin heard the music and celebrated it, and a lot occurred with that music.
Now that you’ve got toured most of Latin America and Spain, is there any likelihood you may do a present within the U.S. subsequent?
Sure, as a result of I’ve a piece visa now. Now I will America and visiting as many cities as attainable. Final 12 months, I used to be ready to get a piece visa and be part of them on a tour of the US. I do know there are lots of people who ask me to carry out. we are going to meet quickly.
What can we anticipate in 2026?
There may be a whole lot of music being created that folks can take pleasure in. I really feel very prolific as an artist and I am benefiting from this second. I am going to the studio virtually every single day, together with holidays, to make music. Proper now, I am targeted on having fun with what I am doing and being free to make the music I wish to make.
