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The Carlos Vieco Theater, on Nutibara Hill, the sacred temple of Antioquian rock, was the stage that Blessd and Maluma chose to present their new album 1OF1.
There are six songs, which, according to both musicians, pay tribute to past generations of Colombian artists. The videos were filmed last weekend in the streets of Barrio Antioquia, in the west of Medellín.
How did the idea for the album come about?
Blessed: “One day Maluma made a video call to me, he told me that he had woken up with the idea of making a collaborative album, of uniting two Colombian artists. At one point I told him yes, I always want to do big things and I wasn’t going to say no to Maluma, he’s the dad. We always want to do different things that make a difference and that’s why the answer was yes, one and the same.”
Maluma: “It was an idea of mine, in January of this year I had a dream that I had made an album that went down in history, so the next day I called him and things happened from that dream.”
What does it represent to record in the streets and corners of Barrio de Antioquia?
Blessed: “It’s something very special, it’s taking our music to where it all began, that’s where the dreams are.
We want to show that good things come out of neighborhoods, talent and dreams that come true. There is a message behind it, we want to show the true essence of life in the neighborhood, the beautiful things of its people, it was very cool to have Juancho in the neighborhood.”
Maluma: “The beauty of filming in the neighborhood is being able to show reality, what people outside don’t see. I really needed to be there, eat some sausages on a corner, talk to friends on a sidewalk. The neighborhood is not changed for anything, thanks to Blessd for taking me, introducing me to its people, its block, that is why this album is great, because they are real stories.”
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Do you remember the first day you saw each other, how you met?
Blessed: “It was when we got together to record Impossible Remix. From the first moment there was incredible energy. We connected through the love of music and the desire to do something great. He has given me his hand and I thank him. We have always wanted to take our music to the next level…
That first collaboration meant at the time putting the new blood of the genre on the map, it was taking my project to the next level, it was opening the door to new talents who are working for their dreams.”
Maluma: “That was when he came to my house, up in Alto de Las Palmas, it was to record the video for Impossible. They had told me that there was a very strong Pelado in Medellín, I was looking to promote new talents.
After the remix the story speaks for itself, this crazy guy is breaking it, he took advantage of the opportunity like very few others.”
What new talents are you promoting?
Maluma: “My focus is Royality Records, beyond my career, in which I always seek to be the #1 artist in the world, I have a work team that has helped me fulfill the dream of signing new artists, good-hearted people and Lot of talent. “Wonderful things are happening with Maisak, Paulina B and Abril, who are our three artists.”
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It is the first time that an album has been made between two urban artists…
Blessed: “Making history with this joint album is something incredible, we want to break it. For me, it is a huge achievement and a motivation to continue giving everything. It is an opportunity to grow, learn and leave a mark on the genre.
It means a giant step, it is showing that dreams can be fulfilled and that hard work has its rewards. “It is an honor to be able to share this with Juancho and all the people who support us.”
Maluma: “I have always wanted to do big things, things that many believe are impossible and this is a clear example, it is something I have been doing since my career began, breaking barriers. “We are showing the union of two artists from different generations, it feels nice to see the talent of the artists of the land.”
