Juan Duque: From Marinilla Roots to Latin Music’s Afrobeats Frontier
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The Colombian singer-songwriter is poised for global superstardom, blending genre-bending sounds with a deep connection to his hometown.
Juan Duque is rapidly ascending the ranks of Latin music, fueled by a breakthrough year and a sound that defies easy categorization. The Colombian artist, whose hit “Solcito” has garnered over 174 million streams on Spotify, is not only crafting soulful and sentimental songs but also proudly showcasing his roots in the small town of Marinilla, Colombia. This unique blend of artistry and authenticity is positioning Duque as a rising global pop star.
“I owe being a hard worker, responsible, and not being afraid of anything to growing up in Marinilla,” Duque explains. “The people here are go-getters. If I’m adding my grain of sand in bringing more visibility to Marinilla, I’m very happy because you’re going to get to know another type of culture, philosophy, and people here.”
Duque’s rise comes amidst a decade of dominance by Medellín as the epicenter of Colombia’s reggaeton scene, propelled by artists like J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, Feid, and Ryan Castro. However, Duque’s journey began on the outskirts of the city, in the countryside of Marinilla. He initially gained recognition with romantic reggaeton tracks like “Maria” and its remix featuring Castro, before signing with Warner Music Latina in 2024 and expanding his sonic palette to include pop (“Lejos De Mis Ojos”) and bachata (“Ni Con Él, Ni Conmigo”).
But where Duque is truly making waves is in the burgeoning Latin Afrobeats scene. His collaboration with Miguel Bueno, “Solcito,” became one of the genre’s biggest hits, and he’s now teasing his second album with Afrobeats-infused tracks like “Ojalá” featuring Nanpa Básico and “Un Afrito.” The artist has already received endorsements from established stars like J Balvin and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, signaling his growing influence.
The Marinilla Influence
Duque’s commitment to representing Marinilla extends beyond simply mentioning his hometown. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing the values and culture of the region. “More than representing my town, it’s about representing the values, culture, and my roots from here,” he says. “I wasn’t raised in a big city or the hood, so I didn’t know about things from those regions. I grew up with things typical of life in the countryside. I know what it’s like to live in the mountains and work on a farm while learning about nature, the animals, and cultivation.” He hopes that his success will allow the world to see the people of Marinilla as “nice, noble, humble, and hardworking.”
A Year of Growth and Global Expansion
Reflecting on the past year, Duque describes it as a period of significant growth. “It was a beautiful year. It was a year with a lot of growth in my career. I’m happy that I’ve gotten to travel to many different countries, especially thanks to the success of ‘Solcito.’ That song opened many doors for us internationally. It put us in front of so many people and I was able to do my first international tour.”
The genesis of “Solcito” itself is a testament to Duque’s trust in his instincts. He recounts a studio session where he felt compelled to shift focus from another song to “Solcito,” despite initial reservations from his collaborators. “I told them, ‘Forgive me, but we should do ‘Solcito’ instead.’ They were telling me the other song was almost done…I said, ‘We have to work on ‘Solcito.’ Believe me, it’s very good.’ Miguel liked it and he told me, ‘You’re crazy, but I believe you, so let’s go ahead with this one.’” The song’s subsequent success validated his intuition.
Embracing Afrobeats and Genre Fluidity
The exploration of Afrobeats came naturally to Duque, inspired by fond memories of time spent in the Caribbean. “I love the Afrobeats genre for one reason and that’s how it brings me back to beautiful moments and memories on the beach,” he explains. “I love to spend time in the Caribbean…I wanted to transmit those happy and feel-good vibes in my music.”
This willingness to experiment extends to other genres as well. Duque embraces a fluid approach to music-making, prioritizing personal enjoyment over trends. “I’m having fun. If I explore a different genre, it’s for fun…I don’t define the sound of my music because if I define it, I’m limiting myself. I’m an artist that sings about the vibes that I want to feel.”
Advocacy and Self-Acceptance
Duque’s artistry is also marked by a commitment to inclusivity. The remix music video for “Maria” notably featured same-sex couples, a deliberate choice to normalize LGBTQ+ relationships within the reggaeton genre. “That was very beautiful because I don’t think there was a reggaeton music video with that kind of inclusion before,” he says. “I liked doing that because I showed people in reggaeton that we can have videos with those kinds of relationships too.”
He also addresses his own journey of self-acceptance, acknowledging that he initially felt hesitant to embrace his full self. “It’s nice to get compliments, but I don’t see myself that way,” he says, referring to being perceived as a sex symbol. “My fans made me realize that it’s okay to show who I am and not hide myself anymore.”
Mentorship and Future Aspirations
Duque values the guidance he’s received from established artists, particularly J Balvin. “More than on an artist level, he’s given me support on a human level,” he shares. “Jose [J Balvin] has given me so much valuable advice about my life and my career.” A collaboration with Balvin remains a dream for Duque.
A recent encounter with Coldplay’s Chris Martin proved equally inspiring. Duque shared his song “Ojalá” with Martin, who immediately recognized its potential. “He told me, ‘That song is already a hit.’ I told him that the song hadn’t been out for 24 hours and he said, ‘You’re going to remember me telling you that this song is a hit.’” Martin’s prediction proved accurate, with “Ojalá” becoming a massive success in Colombia.
With a US work visa now secured, Duque is planning to bring his music to American audiences. “Yes, because now I have my work visa. Now it’s time to go to the US and visit the most cities that I can.” Looking ahead to 2026, Duque promises a wealth of new music. “There’s a lot of music coming that people can enjoy. I’m feeling very prolific as an artist and I’m taking advantage of this moment.” He is focused on maintaining the freedom to create music that resonates with his soul, and to continue sharing his unique vision with the world.
