Following a breakthrough 12 months with the smash hit “Solcito,” the long run is wanting even brighter for Juan Duque. The Colombian heartthrob has positioned himself as the following international pop star together with his soulful and mawkish songs that transcend style. On the identical time, Duque is displaying a distinct aspect to his nation together with his roots within the small city of Marinilla. His humble beginnings are the inspiration on which he’s constructing his path in the direction of superstardom.
“I owe being a tough employee, accountable, and never being afraid of something to rising up in Marinilla,” Duque says. “The folks listed here are go-getters. If I’m including my grain of sand in bringing extra visibility to Marinilla, I’m very joyful since you’re going to get to know one other kind of tradition, philosophy, and folks right here.”
Previously decade, Medellín has turn out to be the reggaeton capital of Colombia with the success of artists like J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, Feid, and Ryan Castro. On the outskirts of the town lies Duque’s countryside hometown of Marinilla. Trying to the aforementioned acts as inspirations, he began out as an unbiased artist 5 years in the past. Duque ultimately gained over Colombia together with his romantic reggaeton hits like “Maria” and the remix of the music that includes Castro. Since signing with Warner Music Latina in 2024, he has additionally branched out into genres like pop in “Lejos De Mis Ojos” and bachata in “Ni Con Él, Ni Conmigo” whereas making strides in reggaeton.
The place Duque is making the waves is within the rising Latin Afrobeats scene. Alongside Miguel Bueno, he scored one of many largest hits within the style with their collaboration “Solcito,” which has over 174 million streams on Spotify. Duque is teasing his second album with the Afrobeats-infused hits “Ojalá” that includes Nanpa Básico and “Un Afrito.” As his music grows on a world degree, he’s gotten co-signs from J Balvin and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Whereas in Marinilla, Duque spoke with UPROXX about his upbringing, making music that feels true to him, and his imaginative and prescient for 2026.
How do you’re feeling that extra persons are attending to find out about Marinilla by means of your success?
Greater than representing my city, it’s about representing the values, tradition, and my roots from right here. I wasn’t raised in a giant metropolis or the hood, so I didn’t find out about issues from these areas. I grew up with issues typical of life within the countryside. I do know what it’s wish to reside within the mountains and work on a farm whereas studying about nature, the animals, and cultivation. I really like that individuals seeing that I’m from Marinilla are seeing that the folks from listed here are good, noble, humble, and hardworking.
Talking of success, how would you describe this previous 12 months in your music profession?
It was an exquisite 12 months. It was a 12 months with quite a lot of progress in my profession. I’m joyful that I’ve gotten to journey to many alternative nations, particularly because of the success of “Solcito.” That music opened many doorways for us internationally. It put us in entrance of so many individuals and I used to be capable of do my first worldwide tour. I’m grateful for every thing that occurred final 12 months.
How did the music “Solcito” come along with Miguel Bueno?
I need to preserve following my instincts as a result of they’ve been very on-point. Miguel and I had been engaged on one other music. The day that we met within the studio to complete up that different music, I had already developed “Solcito.” I used to be listening to it on the best way to the studio. Once I acquired there, I instructed them, “Forgive me, however we must always do ‘Solcito’ as a substitute.” They had been telling me the opposite music was nearly executed and that they needed to flip it in. I stated, “We’ve to work on ‘Solcito.’ Consider me, it’s superb.” Miguel preferred it and he instructed me, “You’re loopy, however I consider you, so let’s go forward with this one.” Then “Solcito” got here out and it was stunning to see how issues prove whenever you observe your instinct with out understanding what’s going to occur or giving in.
Afrobeats have turn out to be the brand new frontier in Latin music. Along with “Solcito,” you now have songs like “Ojalá” and “Un Afrito.” The place did the thought come from to discover Afrobeats?
I really like the Afrobeats style for one motive and that’s the way it brings me again to stunning moments and recollections on the seaside. I like to spend time within the Caribbean. With the entire Afrobeats wave final 12 months, I cherished it as a result of I knew that I might have music that’s excellent for the seaside. I like to take heed to and really feel the Afrobeats vibes. This previous 12 months, I needed to transmit these joyful and feel-good vibes in my music. It’s a style with quite a lot of soul and that’s why I’m exploring it as a result of I get pleasure from how that feels.
Along with Afrobeats, you even have songs that discover genres like reggaeton, pop, and bachata. Why is it necessary so that you can department out to different genres?
I’m having enjoyable. If I discover a distinct style, it’s for enjoyable. It’s as a result of I prefer it and it’s one thing that I need to do. I’m by no means fascinated by what’s trending. If I don’t really feel it, I don’t do it. I don’t outline the sound of my music as a result of if I outline it, I’m limiting myself. I’m an artist that sings in regards to the vibes that I need to really feel. I categorical what I really feel unbiased of any style. I make music for those who like and revel in a little bit of every thing.
Within the remix music video for “Maria,” I really like the way you embody same-sex {couples} within the combine. As an ally, why was it necessary so that you can normalize LGBTQ+ relationships in that video?
That was very stunning as a result of I don’t suppose there was a reggaeton music video with that form of inclusion earlier than. I preferred doing that as a result of I confirmed folks in reggaeton that we will have movies with these sorts of relationships too. Above all, everybody can relate to the music “Maria.” That music expresses love in all its varieties. The remix video broke down boundaries for love. It was stunning to point out love precisely as it’s. I really like and assist the LGBTQ+ neighborhood like they assist me. I make music for everybody.
Out of your charisma, your lyrics, and your physique, you will have followers that see you as a intercourse image. How do you’re feeling to be seen in that method?
It’s good to get compliments, however I don’t see myself that method. Once I began my profession just a few years in the past, I needed to cover that a part of me. I didn’t need to be seen in that method or have my picture be what stands out. My followers made me notice that it’s okay to point out who I’m and never disguise myself anymore. If I need to seem shirtless in a music video or take off my shirt throughout a live performance, I’ll do it. They instructed me to point out who I’m as a result of folks like that. Now I’m like, “Go for it! Fantasize about me if you wish to. Take pleasure in it!” [Laughs.] It’s stunning that they care about me in that method, and above all, have proven me that it’s my music that makes me stand out.
You’ve frolicked with J Balvin just a few occasions. What does it imply so that you can have the assist of one among Colombia’s largest artists?
Greater than on an artist degree, he’s given me assist on a human degree. Jose [J Balvin] has given me a lot precious recommendation about my life and my profession. I like to get recommendation from folks that I like. He’s an in depth pal of mine as a result of I can discuss with him after I must. It doesn’t matter if we collaborate or work collectively. What issues is that I can discuss with him after I want one thing or have a query. Once I want recommendation, I can discuss or textual content with him. It’s a blessing to have entry to an individual like Jose. In the event you ask me about my largest dream collaboration, I might say J Balvin.
What was the expertise like whenever you acquired to hang around with Coldplay’s Chris Martin?
That was very loopy and surreal. I by no means imagined to be sitting down and speaking with an artist like him or a human being that’s so related to life. To sit down down with him felt like a little bit of his power rubbed off on me. We talked about life, our roots, and feelings. I confirmed him my music “Ojalá” with Nanpa Básico and he instructed me, “That music is already successful.” I instructed him that the music hadn’t been out for twenty-four hours and he stated, “You’re going to recollect me telling you that this music is successful.” 5 months later and that music has turn out to be huge in Colombia. Folks have devoted that music to their companions and even gotten married to it. Chris Martin heard that music, gave it his blessing, and so many issues have occurred with it.
Now that you simply’ve toured a lot of Latin America and Spain, is there an opportunity that you’ll do reveals within the US subsequent?
Sure, as a result of now I’ve my work visa. Now it’s time to go to the US and go to probably the most cities that I can. This previous 12 months, I used to be ready on my work visa to get a US tour collectively. I do know there’s lots of people there asking me to carry out for them. We’re going to see one another quickly.
What can we anticipate from you in 2026?
There’s quite a lot of music coming that individuals can get pleasure from. I’m feeling very prolific as an artist and I’m profiting from this second. Nearly on a regular basis I’m going to the studio, together with the vacations, to make music. Proper now I’m centered on having enjoyable with what I’m doing and being free to make the music that I need to make.
