Maluma Releases Surprise New Album “Papi Juancho”

Maluma’s earning extra papi points…

The 26-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter has surprised the world with the release of his latest album, Papi Juancho, which was released at midnight on August 21.

Maluma

Maluma, who was recently named to Variety’s Power of Your Hollywood list, recorded most of the set during the COVID-19-imposed lockdown with his longtime producer collaborators and co-writers The Rude Boyz (Kevin ADG and Chan “El Genio”).

“All I could do during lockdown in Medellin was work alone in my studio,” Maluma told Billboard in an exclusive interview. “That’s why this album has so much of my true essence; because I did so much of it alone.”

Papi Juancho, a title that plays off of Maluma’s nickname of “Juancho” (short for Juan Luis), features a handful of duets with old and new school reggaetón stars, from Ñejo y Dálmata to Myke Towers and Yandel. But the bulk of the songs are pure Maluma, ranging from romantic to raunchy street, experimenting with new, acoustic sounds and, as usual, boasting deceptively simple lyrics that evoke conversations with friends.

The 22-track album has plenty of hits, as well as a few hidden gems, like the must-hear tracks “Medallo City,” “Hawái,the first single release off the album, “Vete Vete,”featuring Ñejo y Dalmata, and “Madrid.”

https://open.spotify.com/album/0p2yf6DucEgvj8Uk8KXJJv?si=tg3n6ewQQl6oxyC5BfIEWQ

Maluma will perform at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Medrano to Participate at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Conference

Manuel Medrano is representing the next generation of hitmakers…

The 29-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter will speak at the “I Write the Song, the New Generation” panel at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Manuel Medrano

Medrano will be joined by fellow hitmakers Joss Favela, Servando, Horacio Palencia, Erika Ender and The Rude Boyz on the panel..

Medrano is a Latin Grammy-winning singer/songwriter known for his romantic ballads like “Una y otra vez“; regional Mexican singer Favela is ASCAP‘s 2016 & 2017 songwriter of the year; while Palencia is a five-time BMI songwriter of the year.

Servando is the songwriter behind Enrique Iglesias‘ Grammy-nominated hit “Duele el corazón“; Ender co-wrote Luis Fonsi‘s chart-topping hit “Despacito“; and to round out the panelists are The Rude Boyz, hitmakers behind Shakira’s “Chantaje” and Maluma’s “Borró cassette.”

The “I Write the Song” panel will take place April 26. Other confirmed panels and panelists include “Socializing Maluma” featuring the Colombian superstar; “The Latin Trap Panel” with artists like Farruko, Ozuna and Bad Bunny; and the memoirs and biopics panel titled “Me, Me, Me” with Ednita Nazario.

The 2017 Billboard Latin Music Conference will kick off on April 24 with more panels and panelists set to be announced in the upcoming weeks leading up the conference.

The conference will take place on April 24-27 at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach. To register, visit BillboardLatinConference.com.