Biography
Who is Maluma?
Early life and real name
Born in Medellín, Colombia, to parents Marlli Arias and Luis Londoño, the artist grew up with an older sister named Manuela. During his childhood and teenage years, he played football for the reserve teams of Atlético Nacional and La Equidad. He also showed an early aptitude for singing at school.
At age fifteen, he composed the song No quiero with a friend. His uncle later gave him the opportunity to record this track in a studio as a birthday gift. Producers liked his talent and suggested he adopt a memorable stage name. He created the name Maluma by combining the first syllables of his mother, father, and sister's names.
Musical career beginnings
He started his professional music career in 2010 by recording various singles. His first radio hit, Farandulera, caught the attention of Sony Music Colombia, which signed him. In 2012, he released his debut studio album, Magia. This record featured songs like Obsesión, which was filmed at the Antioquia Department Railway Station.
The music video for Obsesión became a significant success on YouTube, gathering millions of views. Following this, he released the mixtape PB.DB The Mixtape in 2015. His second studio album, Pretty Boy, Dirty Boy, arrived later that same year and included popular tracks like Borró Cassette and El Perdedor. These songs helped establish his presence on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs charts. He also served as a coach on The Voice Kids in Colombia during 2014.
International success and collaborations
The artist reached a wider international audience through his 2018 album F.A.M.E., which stands for Faith, Alma, Music, and Essence. He has collaborated with major global stars, including Madonna on the tracks Medellín and Bitch I'm Loca. Other well-known collaborations include songs with Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin, and The Weeknd.
Specifically, his remix of the song Hawái, which features The Weeknd, reached high positions on the Billboard charts. His fourth studio album, 11:11, released in 2019, featured hits such as 11 PM and HP. He later released the album Papi Juancho in 2020, which included the commercially successful single Hawái. His work has earned him a Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album and a Billboard Spirit of Hope Award.
Recent projects and acting
In recent years, he has continued to expand his creative output with EPs and albums. He released the EP #7DJ (7 Días en Jamaica) in 2021, followed by The Love & Sex Tape in 2022. His sixth studio album, Don Juan, arrived in 2023 with 25 tracks.
Beyond music, he has ventured into acting, appearing in the film Marry Me alongside Jennifer Lopez and voicing a character in the Disney animated movie Encanto. In 2025, he released the single Bronceador, which reached the top spot on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart. His seventh studio album, Loco X Volver, was released in 2026. This project blends various genres like salsa, vallenato, and pop reggaetón. He has described this work as his most personal creative endeavor to date, reflecting his cultural identity.
Birthday and age
Maluma was born on January 28, 1994, which makes Maluma 32 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Maluma shares the date with 32 other famous people.
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