Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez (born August 9, 1972), better known as Juanes (for the contraction of his first and middle name) is a musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a popular solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards. Juanes is one of the best-selling Colombian musicians of all time, having sold more than fifteen million albums. He has won seventeen Latin Grammys, more than any other artist, and one Grammy Award. Juanes is also known for his humanitarian work, especially with aid for Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines.
Juanes was born in Carolina del Príncipe, Antioquia, Colombia. He started the metal band Ekhymosis in 1988, and it released its self-produced debut album, Niño Gigante, the same year. The band released five studio albums during its career and shared the stage with acts including Alejandro Sanz, Aterciopelados, and Ricky Martin; however in Juanes’ words, the band “couldn’t get out of Colombia” and remained “very local and confined to the Colombian market. ” Juanes disbanded the group in 1998 so that he could pursue a solo career.
