Juanes, which is not his real name (Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez), was born in 1972. He grew up in Medellin during its most violent years – the Escobar era.

Juanes’ formative years were shaped by the brutality unfolding around him. Ruthless kidnappers murdered his cousin, his close friend was also executed. If those weren’t bad enough, Juanes’ father succumbed to cancer.

Surrounded by misery, things got so bad for himself, Medellin and Colombia, that he believed they could only get better… He was right.

Despite taking inspiration from traditional Colombian genres, such as Vallenato, Juanes ultimately did his own thing. His rocky riffs distinguished him from typical Colombian music.

It was a bold decision that proved to be fruitful.

So how is Juanes EPIC?

1.) His early-life ordeal was one that he took on his stride. He overcame hardships that many could never imagine. Observing the radiant energy of Juanes, you’d never know how dark his childhood was.

2.) He went against the grain of popular Colombian genres – a worthwhile risk that we can all learn from.

3.) His music is as amazing as it is widespread. Have you heard La Camisa Negra? 

4.) Juanes is bilingual. He learnt English as a young man. That’s after the so-called ‘critical cut-off age’ for fluency. He’s been an epic inspiration for me in my Spanish endeavours.

Here’s a lovely song by the Medellinense – what a don!