The new millennium had not yet begun when Juanes moved to Los Angeles with a few songs and the dream of starting a solo career after leading a rock band in Colombia called Ekhymosis. By 1999, just a year later, he had signed with Gustavo Santaolalla’s label, Surco, and by 2000 he released Fíjate Bien, his debut studio album.
Twenty-five years later, the Colombian rocker can look back and say he’s had a remarkable career — with its ups and downs. A winner of accolades that include 25 Latin Grammys, four Grammys and over 10 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Juanes is one of the most established and revered Latin artists of his generation, with Billboard chart-topping hits like “Me Enamora” (which led the Hot Latin Songs chart for 20 weeks in 2007) “La Camisa Negra” and “A Dios le Pido.”
He has also made it a point to support new talent, not only through collaborations — as is well known, Juanes was the one who introduced Rosalía to his then manager Rebeca León after being impressed by the young Spanish artist’s talent, sparking a fruitful six-year partnership. Additionally, he’s been a promoter of peace through humanitarian efforts such as the Mi Sangre Foundation, which he co-founded in 2006 with social entrepreneur Catalina Cock Duque.
And his creativity knows no bounds. Last month, the Medellín rock star released JuanesTeban, his 12th studio album — “a kaleidoscope of sounds that connects the intimacy of Colombian folklore with the power of rock,” as Billboard‘s Isabela Raygoza described it — with 16 songs that explore light and darkness, the essence of life. The album’s cover, created by Juanes himself, is a self-portrait that reveals a lesser-known side of the artist: that of a prolific — though until now private — sketch artist.
In a recent in-depth interview with Billboard Español, Juanes — now based in Miami — spoke via Zoom from his home about his new album, his family, his use of social media, his mental health and much more.
1. Congratulations on JuanesTeban, your 12th studio album. Where does this album find you in your life?
In my best state. I think this is the best version of myself. And I’ve found a clarity that I had lost long ago. Fortunately, today I’m in total connection with my essence, with my being, with my spirituality, with my life, with my family.
2. Tell me about the title of the album, which is JuanesTeban instead of Juan Esteban.
Well, my father used to call me Juanes, and my siblings and friends at school too, but Juan Esteban is my real name. I think after so many years, I understood that many personalities live within me. It’s like JuanesTeban is several people at once: he’s joy, sadness, anger, emotion, intellect, superficiality, materialism… Everything that has to do with me as a person and as an artist is encompassed in that name.
3. For this project, you also created the cover art, which is a self-portrait.
I studied industrial design at the Pontifical Bolivarian University [in my hometown of Medellin,] and I’ve always loved art and drawing. I’ve been sketching for many years, and I love drawing faces. I used to do it as a hobby on planes or at home on free afternoons. I really enjoy disconnecting from music sometimes and diving into drawing. Then Rafa Restrepo, my manager, saw me drawing during one of those flights, and he suggested we use it. We called two friends of ours who’ve worked with us on graphic design for many years, Camilo Londoño and Sebas Londoño, and that’s how we created the visual concept for the album. I love it because it shows a different side of how I express myself through art.
4. Any plans to showcase those drawings to the world?
I didn’t have any plans before, but now with the album, several people have asked me about it. So, of course, you start to think, “Should I do it? Should I not?” Honestly, I’d like to. Maybe later in life, when I have the freedom, calmness and mindset to say, “OK, let’s do this.” For now, I’ve got the drawings stored — there’s an incredible amount of them.
5. The album includes collaborations with both established and emerging talents. You’ve always supported new talent — from early backing of Rosalía to including a song by Joaquina in your album Vida Cotidiana (2023). Why is this important to you?
Because it’s what happened to me. I’ll never forget when Carlos Vives, for example, decided to support the band I was in, Ekhymosis. For me, that was incredible. I later understood that it’s something I should also do. It’s like keeping the energetic chain going: if someone helped me, it’s wonderful to be able to do the same for others. There are so many young, very talented people doing truly amazing things. That excites me.
6. A song on your album that particularly moved me was “Madre,” dedicated to your mother, whom you lost in September. Could you tell us a bit about the process of creating this song? And was it healing for you in any way?
The process of “Madre” was a long one. My mother lived to 95 years old, but the last three years were the most critical, and that’s when this started. I didn’t even plan to include it on this album; it was more like I was watching her deteriorate. I had already written her a song in my first album, “La única,” which was a declaration of love. During those last three years, I started crafting this song and made several versions. I didn’t like them, so I’d record it again, and then I’d change it here and there. Finally, with Nico Cotton producing, we arrived at this beautiful place for me — because it’s a nostalgic song, but it also has joy, with the percussion, the Colombian tiple, the Peruvian cajón. It has this Andean essence, and almost even Southern vibes, like a mix of chacarera and Colombian bambuco. I don’t know, it felt like we arrived at a magical place where I said, “My God, thank you.”
And the choruses and arrangement feel like a celebration of my mother and her existence. It’s the song I never wanted to write, so to speak, but I also find in music, as you said, catharsis and a way to heal.
7. Did she get to hear any version of it?
Yes! She heard this final version, and she was so happy. She loved it. She was always my No. 1 fan.
8. Each album is usually followed by a tour. What will the JuanesTeban Tour be like?
It’s going to be the best tour of my life. This tour is about the present moment and the full potential of all of us as musicians. With all the staging, lighting and production we’ve put together, it’s going to be incredible.
9. Moving on to more personal topics, you have a beautiful family, and we often see you together on your social media. Has it been difficult for you to share certain moments of your private life publicly?
You know what’s happened to me? When I didn’t share, I felt worse… like I was trapped. When I started opening up and talking about what I was really going through, I also began to heal. I realized that vulnerability is a strength, and that we are all more alike than we think. We all have problems — problems with our kids, with marriage, with friends, with work. It’s normal. Life isn’t perfect in any way. So I feel like finding the freedom to talk, for example, about depression — which I’ve struggled with since I was 14 or 15 years old — has been incredibly healing for me and has given me so much strength.
10. On your social media, we’ve also seen you exercising both alone and with your family. What’s been the key to staying physically and mentally healthy?
I’ve been through many phases, and even the dark and difficult moments have shaped me to be much better and calmer today. I think it’s a mix of things. I wouldn’t say it’s just about eating healthy or exercising… I was very chubby as a kid, and I suffered a lot because I was bullied. I started exercising a lot when I was 14 or 15, and it became an addiction. For me, exercising has even helped with depression. But of course, exercise led me to injure my knees several times, and in those dark and sad moments, I’d think, “I just want to feel better.” So I started letting go of habits that were harming me — like drinking too much alcohol. I learned to value sobriety. I love being sober, being present, eating as healthily as I can, reading a book, writing, drawing, playing sports, going to the movies. I don’t know, it’s about treating myself kindly. That’s really important in order to feel good.
11. And when it comes to family and work, how have you managed to find balance?
It’s also been very difficult. I’ve been through extremely tough times in our relationship. But I’ve been fortunate to have [my wife] Cecilia in my life because we love each other and have learned to give each other space, to learn and understand. She’s been an incredibly elegant and special woman with me through all of it, and I feel nothing but gratitude, honestly. So we look at our children, at the years we’ve shared, and we try to always remember where we came from and why we’re here. Hopefully, we can stay together for the rest of our lives, but I think relationships are always challenging. As kids grow up, you get frustrated because it’s no longer the same as when they were little. It’s crazy. It’s a big change, but that’s where maturity comes in. You mature, and love transforms into other things and there are other priorities. I don’t know — for me, it’s been beautiful because it’s been growth through both pain and joy. Not just celebration, but also difficult moments. I think that’s where we are, and we’re doing very well.
12. This year marks 25 years since your debut as a solo artist with the album Fíjate Bien. What do you remember most about that time?
So much. Especially my time in Los Angeles, because I arrived there with nothing — it was just an idea. I had the songs and the desire to do something, but I was fortunate to meet Marusa Reyes, who was Caifanes’ manager. Marusa connected me with Gustavo Santaolalla, Manolo Díaz and Universal, and that’s where it all began. Gustavo heard my demos, liked them, signed me to Surco, and it was like waking up in a perfect dream. It felt like I was walking on air. It was crazy. But it was also hard because radio stations at the time thought my music was too rock for pop and too pop for rock, so I was caught in the middle, fighting to find a place. But it was beautiful. I met Cecilia during that time. We even have videos. Just the other day, we were watching them with our kids. We were just kids ourselves! There I was, recording myself on the computer with my guitar while she was filming me.
13. In 2002, you achieved your first Billboard No. 1s with the mega-hit “A Dios le Pido” and the album Un Día Normal. What did that mean to you?
It was a before and after. With that album in particular, we started traveling literally around the world. From one day to the next, I’d have lunch here, breakfast there, and sleep in a different hotel. We toured everywhere. It was incredible. It was like that dream was starting to become a reality, you know? I was so happy, my soul was full. That was when everything really took off.
14. I’m going to say a series of words, names or titles, and I’d like you to tell me the first thing that comes to mind. Colombia.
Everything to me.
15. La Chechi (Cecilia).
Inspiration.
16. Fatherhood.
The best gift life has given me.
17. Fame.
Confusion.
18. “La Camisa Negra”.
Joy. Joy.
19. What’s your favorite place in Colombia?
Medellín.
20. In no more than five words, how would you define your career?
Better than I had ever imagined.
21. Well, that’s six words, but I’ll take it. What do you feel you still have left to achieve as a songwriter?
I’m always searching for the song I haven’t written yet. I don’t know what it is, but I’m chasing after it.
22. What’s the song you wrote the fastest?
I think “A Dios le Pido” might be one of those. “Odio por Amor,” too. It’s not that they were written quickly, but I felt a lot of clarity at that moment.
23. Do you feel any pressure to surpass yourself after everything you’ve accomplished?
That pressure has already come and gone, went around me three times and turned me upside down about 10 years ago. Right now, in this moment of my life, with this album, the previous one and what’s to come, I feel like I’m in a “free drawing” class. In other words, doing whatever I want, relaxed. And I like that a lot.
24. What song by another artist, in any language, do you wish were yours?
There’s a song by Fito Páez called “Un Vestido y un Amor.” I think it’s the most beautiful of all songs. Every time I listen to it, I say, “My God, I wish I had written that song.”
25. Where do you see yourself 25 years from now?
Hopefully, I’ll still be on a stage, in a studio — just like I see Juan Luis Guerra, Metallica, Mick Jagger, Rubén Blades and Miguel Bosé, because I admire them. I hope I have the strength and health to keep doing that.
