Maluma is doing it all, and succeeding at everything. With a thriving music career and the hot new single “Sobrio,” the multi-faceted Colombian superstar is preparing for an upcoming international tour, and the release of his first film with a staring role alongside Jennifer Lopez. “Marry Me” is scheduled for release February 11, 2022. This follows his fashion success with a popular capsule collection in support of his collaboration with Michelob Ultra, and a more recent sold out line with Balmain. We caught up with the multi talented artist to talk about his future plans, and the keys to his success.

Nowadays Maluma is considered by specialized critics as one of the most impactful urban music artists in Latin America, winner of countless awards and recognitions in the world of music. Juan Luis Londoño Arias was born January 28, 1994 in Medellín, making up his stage name, ‘Maluma’, by taking the first letters of the names of his mother, father and sister. Winner of the Latin Grammy 2018 to the Contemporary Pop Vocal Album (by F.A.M.E.) he is one of the most popular singers with active fans on social networks and the leader among Latino male singers with over 49 million followers on Instagram. This figure adds to more than 23 million fans on Facebook, 6 million on Twitter, and 22 million subscribers on their YouTube channel.

He developed an interest in music at a young age, and began recording songs at the age of 16. He released his debut album, Magia, a year later in 2012. However, his breakthrough album was 2015’s Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, which led to successful collaborations with several artists. He released F.A.M.E. in 2018, to further commercial success. He followed it up with 11:11 in 2019, and Papi Juancho, released without further announcement in 2020. In late 2020 he released 7DJ.

Maluma has worked with international artists including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, J Balvin, Madonna, and The Weeknd among others. He 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.

In 2019, Vogue called Maluma “Menswear Icon in the Making”, saying “Maluma has attitude, Maluma has style. He likes his clothes bright and bold, which goes quite nicely with his bright and bold music, personality, and overall demeanor.” 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.

In a short time Maluma has established himself as one of Latin music‘s biggest superstars. Currently the Colombian singer has 10 videos with over five hundred million views, and five that have exceeded the billion views mark (that’s billion with a B). He also reached another milestone by becoming he only Urban music artist to star in a commercial that aired during the Superbowl, thanks to his spot for Michelob ULTRA. Besides sold-out world tours, record setting music videos, and a huge social media following, Maluma is destined to continue reaching higher heights.

HOMBRE: Your Michelob Ultra aired during the Superbowl, how was that?
Maluma: It’s a commercial that made history. I think the first time an Urban Latin Music artist had the opportunity to be in the Superbowl. I was very happy to collaborate with Michelob, it’s a brand that’s aligned to who I am as a person. I feel identified with them so I feel really good about the whole experience.

H: What makes ULTRA so special?
M: We all know that ULTRA is a light beer that only has 95 calories. That’s the main message of the campaign, be real and not artificial.

H: Are you a fan of American football?
M: I’ve seen it, but my sport is soccer. Of course I know that the Superbowl is the biggest sporting event in the world, and to be there was a dream that became reality.

H: What’s special about this campaign?
M: We’ll always manage a worldwide concept. That’s what’s important in this type of campaign, to carry the Latin culture to the entire world. I feel very happy and proud to represent today’s Latinos. That’s what I want, to continue doing campaigns on a worldwide level, and it’s great to be doing this with such a major brand like Michelob.

H: This brings me to another subject, your music is in Spanish and yet it’s played all over the world, why do you think you and your music have been so widely accepted?
M: I think when you work with love and passion those things happen. I’ve been working for eight years in my musical career and it’s been a beautiful progress and process. Now Latin music and Urban music are dominating the entire world. I feel very proud to be part of this movement. What’s happening with my project, with my life, with my musical career is gigantic, and it’s thanks to this Latin movement that has been going on for several years.

H: Growing up in Colombia, did you imagine you would reach this level of success?
M: I was always a dreamer. I always pictured it. What happened is that it came very fast. I feel very happy, very proud to carry my Colombia to all these different places, to make it the flag for all Latinos.

H: The music is catchy, and people respond, but not every artist with a catchy song can’t be successful, what has made the difference for you?
M: Discipline, hard work, we haven’t stopped working. That has been the key, because there are many people that are born with talent, but without discipline. That has been the difference and the key to my musical success; talent, discipline, hard work, and a great team.

H: What advice can you give to someone that admires you, to find their own success?
M: I say that dreams can become real, but you have to work hard to make them a reality. You have to have consistency, discipline, and work hard like I said a minute ago. I was able to reach my life goals and anyone that sees me or listens to me has to know that they can do it too, as long as they put in the work.

Maluma at the Latin Billboard Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

H: What’s the best advice your parents gave you?
M: To have my feet firmly planted on the ground.

H: What do you want viewers to get from this commercial?
M: For Latinos this is a special moment. I’m very proud that I can represent them as part of the Superbowl. I hope they feel that organic connection with the brand the same way I feel it. I’m very happy to be a part of the Michelob family. They should expect a lot more. This is only the first thing we do with the company.  Michelob ULTRA is a brand that identifies with all of us, like the commercial says, be real not artificial.