Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez best known as Juanes (born August 9, 1972 in Carolina del Príncipe, Antioquia) is a Colombian rock musician. During the 1980s and 1990s, Juanes was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis but disbanded the group in 1998 to pursue a solo career. His 2000 solo debut album, Fíjate Bien, had moderate commercial success and went on to win three Latin Grammy Awards.

His second album, Un Día Normal was certified platinum throughout much of the Spanish-speaking world, and its lead single "A Dios le Pido" topped singles charts in twelve countries. Mi Sangre, his third album, fared equally well with Juanes promoting it on a tour with over 200 performances. The album's third single, "La Camisa Negra", generated controversy after being used as a symbol for Italian neo-fascism. Juanes is one of the best-selling Colombian musicians, having sold more than ten million albums and won twelve Latin Grammys. Juanes is also known for his humanitarian work, especially with aid for Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines.

Early life

Juanes was born in Medellin, Colombia.Birchmeier, Jason. "Juanes > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 23, 2007. He is the youngest child of Alicia Vásquez and Javier Aristizábal."Hechos en la vida musical de Juanes". Eskpe. Retrieved January 24, 2007. His father called him "Juanes", a contraction of his "Juan Esteban", which he later used as an alias. At age seven, Juanes learned to play the acoustic guitar from his father and older brothers, playing traditional Latin styles such as bolero, tango, cumbia, vallenato, and guasca. During Juanes' childhood, he lost several people close to him; his cousin was held for ransom and executed when the ransom was paid, a close friend was killed by gunmen, and his father died of cancer. When Juanes became a teenager, his music gained a darker sound influenced by heavy metal music, especially that of American band Metallica.

1988–2001: Rising success

Juanes started the metal band Ekhymosis in 1988, and it released its self-produced, self-titled debut album the same year.Bonacich, Drago. "Ekhymosis > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 23, 2007. 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.