the shared passion for melody and lyrical expression ignited a creative spark, leading to the formation of musical compositions. these creations have flourished, marking a significant and welcome development.
the opportunity for a few individuals to cultivate strong bonds within both professional and familial spheres simultaneously is a rare and cherished gift. in a pivotal moment, manuel unveiled his debut album, titled 'adn,' a deliberate homage to the collaborative efforts with julián.
the ascent of 'adn' and the vision behind 'dopamina'
the album swiftly climbed the charts, reaching its zenith at number one.
with the release of 'dopamina,' manuel is riding this wave of success. he articulates a profound dedication to elevating and showcasing colombian talent, emphasizing that despite a less prominent presence on the global stage, a wealth of gifted artists exists. his aspiration is to serve as an inspiration for future generations, demonstrating that achieving success is indeed possible and that accomplishment is often a culmination of influences that precede us.
collaborations that define a generation: maluma and beyond
a highly anticipated feature on his album was the powerful ballad 'amor en coma,' a collaboration with the renowned musician maluma.
manuel regards maluma as a significant predecessor, a figure he aspires to emulate. at the time of their respective ascents, maluma was in his early twenties, as was manuel.
for any emerging artist from colombia, both maluma and j balvin represent major benchmarks and sources of inspiration.
reinventing reggaeton: 'la nota' and the new wave
the momentum continues with another standout track on 'dopamina,' the captivating duet 'la nota.' this collaboration features rauw alejandro and myke towers, two prominent artists driving the contemporary reggaeton movement from puerto rico.
the synergy between these three popular artists resulted in one of the year's most significant global hits, a testament to the vibrant future of the genre. the track soared to the number one position on various charts.
the impact of emerging artists
manuel expresses immense satisfaction in featuring the vocal talents of rauw and myke, acknowledging their current immense popularity and viral appeal.
he positions them as integral to the new generation of artists, fostering a spirit of mutual support. this trend mirrors broader developments in the music industry, such as beyoncé's collaboration on a remix of 'mi gente' with j balvin in 2017, indicating a growing interest from major North American artists in the burgeoning Latin music movement that has captured the world's attention.
bridging linguistic divides in global music
a year later, canadian superstar drake made a foray into singing in spanish with puerto rican artist bad bunny on the track 'mia.' similarly, artists like karol g have collaborated with nicki minaj, and sech has partnered with tyga, each instance contributing to the global expansion of latin music.
the widespread virality of latin artists is instrumental in expanding the reach of their music, effectively closing the gap between different languages and cultures.
addressing representation and artistic integrity in latin music
manuel turizo, much like fellow prominent Latinx artists maluma and j balvin, is a fair-skinned Latinx singer who has benefited from the creative landscape shaped by reggaeton's Black roots.
this situation highlights a broader issue within the contemporary Latin music industry, which needs to more effectively prioritize and center Afro-Latinx talent within the genre. the industry often relies on a limited pool of producers for many hit songs in reggaeton.
however, for certain tracks on 'dopamina,' manuel consciously sought to broaden his creative horizons by collaborating with miguel 'slow mike' martínez, a member of the Latin Grammy-winning Afro-Colombian group chocquibtown.
a nominated artist with strong connections
manuel himself has received a Latin Grammy nomination for his contribution to the band's remix of 'pa olvidarte.' he speaks highly of their collaborative relationship, noting a strong friendship and excellent chemistry in the studio, emphasizing that the positive energy between them is palpable.
latin culture has historically been influenced by 'machismo,' a concept associated with toxic masculinity that can marginalize women and queer individuals. this outdated perspective has unfortunately permeated the music industry, particularly within reggaeton, where homophobic language has been used in diss tracks among artists.
a new generation challenging norms
a growing number of contemporary artists are actively pushing back against these entrenched norms.
bad bunny, for instance, is a prominent Latinx artist who leverages his platform to advocate for women's rights and queer issues. the conversation shifts as manuel takes a seat after a period of reflective pacing. he observes that many artists today openly embrace bisexuality, underscoring the importance of individual expression and personal choice.
people, he asserts, should have the freedom to dress as they please and love whomever they choose, stating that such identities are normal aspects of life and should be met with respect, free from any form of discrimination.
navigating vulnerability and acceptance in music
the societal construct of 'machismo' often penalizes men for displaying vulnerability or openly expressing emotions, labeling such behavior as effeminate and, consequently, inferior.
manuel describes this as 'muy brutal,' offering a thumbs-up gesture. he further notes that artists who inspired him, such as wisin y yandel and rakin y ken-y, also incorporated romantic themes into their music. the process of fostering greater tolerance and respect is ongoing, and he believes that acceptance will eventually follow.
a full-circle collaboration with legends
in a moment that signifies a full circle in his career, wisin y yandel are featured on the sensual track 'mala costumbre.' manuel recounts with visible excitement the experience of receiving the recording featuring their vocals.
this collaboration represents a deeply personal dream fulfilled. his journey reflects a broader movement within latin music towards greater inclusivity and artistic evolution, challenging traditional norms and embracing a more diverse and expressive future.