Maluma sits down with Apple Music host Lechero for an intimate conversation on Apple Música Uno, opening up about how fatherhood and his daughter, Paris, have completely transformed his perspective on life, success, and what truly matters most.
During the interview, Maluma reflects on embracing a new chapter personally and professionally, sharing how becoming a father has grounded him and reshaped the way he approaches his career, relationships, and future.
Tune in on Apple Música Uno and listen live for free at apple.co/_Uno.
Apple Music subscribers can listen anytime on demand HERE
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Lechero: Hey, when you hear that — that you helped put Medellín on the map and gave it that visibility — what does that feel like today?
Maluma: Bro, it feels beautiful, but more than anything it feels great because it’s about giving visibility from a positive side. Medellín has been on the map for many years, way before I was born, and people knew about Medallo, but maybe under negative circumstances. Now, though, I have the opportunity through my music for people to get to know my hometown, my culture, my people, my food, my roots — that means everything to me. That people can go to Medellín and, even if it sounds cliché, realize it’s not all about Pablo, you know? Not all about violence and all that. Instead, they can see where these artists were raised, experience the movement we have in Medellín and everything happening there. It’s honestly crazy.
Lechero: Speaking of roots — “Loco por volver.” That’s exactly what it’s about, right?
Maluma: Exactly. We’re so happy to finally have the album out after so much time — more than a year and a half working nonstop, looking at myself in the mirror. Honestly, this album was therapy for me. I had the chance to reconnect with the little kid we see on the cover again.
Lechero: Were you mischievous?
Maluma: Very mischievous, way too much. The funny thing about the album cover is people think it’s AI, but no — that was really me. I used to raise my eyebrow like that, at least that’s what my mom tells me. And that’s the beautiful thing about this album: I got to reconnect with that child, with those roots, with that hunger to break through again. I really reconnected with myself through this project and went straight back to my roots.
Lechero: This is your first album since becoming a father, right?
Maluma: That’s right. After being reborn.
Lechero: This new chapter of Juan Luis as a father and family man — I feel like you can really hear that in the album.
Maluma: Totally. More than anything, Paris being born made me take a veil off my face. It made me take off the mask.
Lechero: You can tell. I see you everywhere talking and, bro, you seem at peace. In harmony with yourself.
Maluma: Completely. It’s like I let go of a character I had spent years building. And the moment came to release it. I’m grateful for it because everything I achieved in my career over the last 12 years was beautiful, and I wouldn’t change a thing. But honestly, I feel much better in the place I’m in today — calmer, more Juan Luis, with clearer priorities. Before, I was obsessed with music in an exhausting way, but now I still have that passion while also having balance with my family. Paris has taught me to pay attention to the details, and that’s reflected in the album and throughout the entire process. I realized my career wasn’t a sprint — it’s more like a marathon, where you have to pace yourself, stop when needed, pause, look around, and understand where you are. Before, I was so on autopilot that I didn’t notice anything. Paris took that blindness away and showed me the beauty of the world. I’m a different person now, but with clearer intentions and a clearer purpose.
Lechero: Would you say this is an album where you were looking to connect rather than conquer? Because the conquering happened a long time ago.
Maluma: But with myself, bro.
