Manuel Medrano

Colombian pop singer Manuel Medrano was born Manuel Alejandro Medrano López on October 29, 1987, in Cartagena, Bolívar. His musical journey began in earnest when he was gifted a guitar as a repercussion for failing a school year. This seemingly inconsequential event kickstarted his passion for songwriting at the age of 16, eventually propelling him to embark on a solo career. The following years saw him playing his songs in bars and venues around Bogotá and sharing covers of well-known songs on his video-streaming channel. In 2014, he made his official debut with the independently released "Afuera del Planeta," a track that soared in popularity, earning him dual nominations at the Shock music awards. After signing with Warner Music in 2015, Manuel Medrano issued the single "Bajo el Agua," which garnered over 75 million views on his channel and propelled him to fame, not just in Colombia but also in the rest of Latin America. Manuel Medrano, his eponymous studio debut, arrived later that year and received two Latin Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Songwriting Album. Over the next few years, he delivered a string of popular singles in collaboration with some of the biggest names in music, including "La Mujer Que Bota Fuego" (2017) with Spanish singer Natalia Jiménez and "Cielo" (2020) featuring Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers. Eterno, his highly anticipated sophomore effort, hit the shelves in 2021 and showcased his growth as a songwriter on tracks like "Tengo Que Llegar a Tiempo" and the Latin-flavored "La Distancia." This was followed by the more dance-oriented Perfecto, released in 2024. A deluxe edition featuring the bonus track "Libérame" with Leo Rizzi arrived later that year.