Carlos Wives. Santa Marta, Colombia, 1961. He is one of the greats of Latin music, with 16 Grammy Awards in his house. just published Kumbiana IIHis 17th album, and talks to EL MUNDO from Miami.

‘Kumbiana II’ cast are dream team: Ricky Martin, Fito Paes, Black Eyed Peas, Camilo…

Most pomegranate! I keep my Colombian identity, but I am always on the lookout for how to connect with the world more. And that’s why guests come from other countries. I’ve been a fan of rock in Spanish, I’ve never had rock in English, what I heard was Charlie García, the whole Argentine rock movement, Mecano, Radio Futura, La Union… that was my youth and now being able It’s incredible to sing with one of my idols, as it happens to me in ‘Babel’ with Fito Pez.

Latin music rules the world today, but those of you who have been around for many years know what it’s worth.

Definitely. It is underestimated, but it has opened a gap because there is pure joy in it. The music that is known today as urban music is not a new rhythm that was born inside a computer. Behind that computer lies our mix of Latin culture and ancestral things, which make us everything that we are. If you’re looking for the origins of urban music, before you reach Puerto Rico, you’ll have to go to Panama, where the cooking begins. It wasn’t called reggaeton, it was a movement influenced by hip-hop and what was done in the United States, but that’s where it all started. The amazing thing is that each country has found a way to join this movement with its own identity. The success of reggaeton is a wonderful event for the whole of Latin America.

Have you felt the many prejudices of Anglo-Saxon music towards you?

Yes, it has happened and it is common in the daily coexistence of our culture in a country like the United States of America. Things have to be overcome and prejudices have to be broken, but it still remains. We understand blending better because it is the essence of Latin America. Our roots merge with Spain and with the African mother, with the Andean, with the Caribbean and with the Pacific. It’s a wonderful relationship, an enduring exchange back and forth. And it hasn’t always been understood in the United States, but to me it’s not the worst. The problem is that Latinos are a culture that hasn’t been proud of anything we have historically.

Do we think we are worse than ourselves?

Sure, think about what’s always being repeated. from Spain? “They were mad, they got on the boats and destroyed us.” Indian? “Even worse, they were brutal and what a sad music.” black ones? “Imagine the worst.” But what happens to us? Do we not understand the wonders that misgeneration has created? And that’s where our music comes in, it blows your mind. In fact, I cannot believe that all that we are, all that we have, everything that unites us. All current modernity of Latin music is closely tied to our origins: we are the new Andalusia. They ask me why we Latin Americans are so happy and I always answer that we are the new Andalusia, the new Canary Islands. We should start giving importance to what we have because it generates an incredible creative wealth.

How many times have you been asked about drug trafficking because you are Colombian?

thousands. The problem is that it is logical even if it is inappropriate. In a country with so many historical differences, with so many needs and so much neglect, this drug insanity easily persists, because where the state has historically been unable to reach, it is fertile ground for everything illegal. . So, of course, the name Colombia is associated with that. It’s been tough, but the name Colombia contradicts it a lot because, despite this, sometimes someone says “Colombia” and it sparks a smile. And that’s because many Colombians made us great with music, literature, art, sports… and they made a name for Colombia that was able to resist the stigma of drugs, but it’s a constant struggle . I’ve had to battle my entire career against that bad image, drug trafficking was an inevitable topic when it came to Carlos Vives, and I’ve always responded by trying to explain the greatness of our culture.

You never got into any controversy in your 40-year career. How is this possible?

Because I chose a simpler and quieter path (laughs). Also, from a very young age he saw me on television, as I started doing programs for children from the age of four and many generations have grown up with me. That’s why they care and respect me.

From kids TV you went to soap operas, what remains of the girl you were?

I was always a slightly different guy because I only did costumebrista stories. I played the life of one of the first Colombian cyclists, a calf musician, a boxer from Cartagena… but it’s true that he was young and still had a good face (laughs). I want to believe that there is something left.

Man, all that’s left to turn 60 is a great hair.

No, not now, you have great faith in me. I’ll have to put some grafts in there because… I want to leave it on again for a long time and it doesn’t grow anymore. Previously, from one week to the next, I already had long hair and now, look, it is the short one that hides. but I’m fine. I’m still jumping a lot, I’m still running, I’m still doing my exercise. Only thing, I haven’t played football in a long time because I don’t go down that fast anymore (laughs). But, with faith, with passion and taking advantage of people’s love, I plan to continue singing until the body holds.

You come on a tour of Spain this summer.

Yes, yes, that pod is crazy. At first they told me that in Spain, since I made tropical music, I wasn’t going to go beyond the Canary Islands, but it happened, it happened (laughs). This time I’m going to CDs for the first time, which drives me crazy, because it’s the musical and cultural origins of many things that interests me. In addition, Nias [Pastori] and Alexander [Sanz] They always tell me how I didn’t, so I wanted to fix it. Whenever I go to Spain it’s a very powerful connection.

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