Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez

Juanes has been an inspiration to a lot of people, and he has given pride to Colombians everywhere. He was born in 1974 in Antioquia, Colombia. He learnt how to play the guitar at age seven from his father and older siblings. Like some people in Colombia, his fate was not so bright due to violence in the country. For example his friend was killed by gunmen, his father died of cancer, and a close cousin was kidnapped. In all these tragic events Juanes found the music that lead him into another world full of surprises; for instance in his teen years creating a band called “Ekhymosis” which had moderate success for 10 years and then later departing from the band to become a solo artist. That decision he took led him to an astonishing amount of success both in Colombia and worldwide.

Soon after breaking from the band, Juanes moved to the United States looking for broader success. The move paid off when he met Argentinean musician and producer Gustavo Santaolalla in Los Angeles. Santaolalla was impressed by the demo tape so he eventually agreed to help him make his first solo album called “Fijate Bien” which was released on October 17, 2000. The album sold amazingly well in Colombia, where it spent 10 weeks at number one, but not so appealing elsewhere.

It came to a surprise to him when it was announced on July 2001 that he was up for 7 Latin Grammy nominations. These nominations brought worldwide recognition to his album, especially after winning three Latin Grammy awards for Best New Artist, Best Rock Solo Vocal Album, and Best Rock Song. He also performed at the Latin Grammy Awards Ceremony, which was broadcast across the U.S.A. where millions of people witnessed the birth of a great and legendary singer/songwriter.

Immediately following his three Grammy wins, Juanes returned to Santaolalla's studio in Los Angeles. He brought with him with 40 new song demos that would become the building blocks of his next album “Un Día Normal”. He completed the album in February 2002 and the album’s hit single, "A Dios Le Pido," was sent to radio stations throughout the U.S. and Latin America in April. The song that embraced God became a symbol of pride in much of Latin America, a sort of prayer for peace in troubled parts of the world. It went on to top the charts in 12 countries on three continents. It spent 47 consecutive weeks on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart. In most of those 47 weeks the song sat comfy at the Top Five. It also spent more than four straight months on top of the Colombian charts, breaking the record formerly held by singer/songwriter Shakira.

Juanes released his third Album “Un Día Normal” on May 21, 2002. It came with extensive success, likely becoming the most successful Latin album ever released to date. The album was much more detailed and polished to a better degree than “Fijate Bien”. It had numerous hit singles, for instance the duet ballad with Nelly Furtado, "Fotografia," which the duo would go on to perform at the following Latin Grammy ceremony. “Un Día Normal” sold millions of copies worldwide, and spending a grand total of 92 weeks in the Top Ten of Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart. Its acknowledgments and awards are far too many to list. The entire world seemed to celebrate Juanes throughout the remainder of 2002 and into the following year. He toured the world and set all kinds of attendance records, performed at all kinds of ceremonies and telecasts, and inspired gushing praise from critics. Juanes in the following years made songs that inspired people and enriched people with what with a little bit of help and dedication can go a long way; from winning France's highest cultural honor “L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” to getting back in the top charts for his song release called “La Camisa Negra” which took the number one spot in western Europe. Throughout all his life and social struggles, Juanes was recognized for his global outreach. Even more success after his fourth album called “La Vida…Es Un Ratico” when it got put on shelves in 2007. He is a true inspiration to me and other people for his uniqueness both in the artistic way but in the way he interacts with his songs to make them appeal to all peoples’ styles and to encourage world peace for the better. This is why I chose Juan Esteban Aristizabal, my hero for life.