Sebastián Yatra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sebastián Yatra
Born
Sebastián Obando Giraldo

(1994-10-15) 15 October 1994 (age 29)
Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2016–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
LabelsUniversal Latino
Websitesebastianyatra.com

Sebastián Obando Giraldo[a] (born 15 October 1994), known professionally as Sebastián Yatra, is a Colombian singer. He began as a Latin pop artist and has recorded many ballads, but has released several successful reggaeton singles. Yatra is noted for his romantic lyrics, melding traditional lyricism with modern reggaeton influences. He rose to prominence in Latin America in 2016 when he released the hit "Traicionera". He has released three studio albums and recorded with artists from a diverse range of musical genres throughout his career.

Born in Medellín and raised primarily in Miami, Yatra began singing at a young age and returned to Colombia to begin his musical career. He achieved breakout success with "Traicionera" followed by "Robarte un Beso" featuring Carlos Vives. "Traicionera" served as the lead single for his 2018 debut album, Mantra, which also featured the single "Sutra", featuring Puerto Rican rapper Dalmata. He then released the album Fantasía including the lead single "Un Año" featuring Mexican band Reik. He received continued success collaborating with Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, and the Jonas Brothers on the bilingual single "Runaway".

Early life[edit]

Born in Medellín, Yatra lived briefly in Cartagena before moving with his mother to Miami, Florida at age five. At the same time, his father stayed in Colombia to work in real estate.[1][2] Discussing the experience, Yatra explained, "It was a big sacrifice. Since my dad stayed working in Colombia, [my parents] had a long-distance relationship for like 12 years."[2] He studied piano, guitar, and vocal technique, and was an avid soccer player before deciding to concentrate on his music, although he continues to practice soccer as a hobby. The first concert he attended was that of Colombian pop singer Juanes.[3] He decided to become a singer at age twelve after landing the role of Troy Bolton in his school production of High School Musical.[4]

In high school, Yatra played the position of the central defensive midfielder on his school's soccer team and often wore a scarf over his mouth during practice to protect his voice.[5] He practiced performing for his teammates on the bus to and from games, performing songs by his favorite artists as well as his own original songs.[2] He attended vocal lessons every day after school.[2] After graduating from the Sagemont Preparatory School in Weston, Florida in 2012, Yatra attended Babson College to study business administration.[2] However, Yatra dropped out of school to focus on music and at age 20, Yatra returned to Colombia to begin his musical career.[2][5]

Career[edit]

2013–2017: Early career and "Traicionera"[edit]

In September 2013, Yatra had his first minor hit single, "El psicólogo", which charted in his home country Colombia, as well as Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico and the United States.[6] "El Psicólogo", a pop ballad with reggae influences was recorded in the United States, and produced by well-known Latin producers Yhonny Atella and Ender Thomas, mastered by Tom Coynequien and music video shot by Colombian director Simón Brand.[7] Yatra toured with Paty Cantú in her Drama Queen Tour and with Sandoval Sandoval in her Deja Que La Vida Te Sorprenda Tour gaining more fame. His follow-up single "Todo Lo Que Siento" was mildly successful, but the ensuing "Para olvidar" became a big hit in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and yet again in the States.[8] 2015 saw launching of two successful singles, "No me llames" featuring Alkilados and "Cómo Mirarte", a repeat hit first as solo and again in a collaboration featuring Kenai and remixed by producers like Kevin ADG, Chan El Genio and Dandee.

Yatra first received international success with the single "Traicionera"[9] a Reggaeton, trap and EDM-influenced hit that solidified his status as a favorite international artist in Latin America, in the Latin market in the States also charting in Spain and finding success all over Europe. The single was classified double platinum in Colombia and platinum in Ecuador. It peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[10] Yatra's collaboration with Colombian vallenato singer Carlos Vives entitled "Robarte Un Beso" won an ASCAP award.[11] The single's accompanying music video, directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Daniel Duran and released on 28 July 2017, features four love stories that all center around partners serenading each other.[12]

2018–2019: Mantra and Fantasia[edit]

We never said, we do 'this' type of music, I just make songs to make you wanna party like crazy or make you get intimate with a girl you like. All these songs have a purpose and each of them are written for a different moment in life. All these beats make you feel different things. I did a trap record called 'Como Si Nada' with this guy Calle and the rap he does is mind-blowing.

– Yatra, on his 2018 album Mantra.[1]

Yatra performing in 2018

Yatra released the album Mantra on 18 May 2018. On the album's title, he explained, "My mantra are my songs. It takes you to that good energy with whatever you're listening to. All these songs have these positive vibes, especially in the lyrics. They're just sharing love."[1] In 2018, Yatra voiced the character Migo in the Spanish language version of the computer-animated film Smallfoot.[13] He released the single "Sutra" featuring Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Dalmata in March 2018, which also peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs.[10]

In December 2018, Yatra's single "Ya No Tiene Novio" featuring Mau y Ricky reached number one on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart.[14] To promote the song, Yatra and Mau y Ricky publicized a "feud" between them to create attention around the track, with Yatra explaining, "It's pretty crazy because the song blew up before it even came out. Instead of telling people it was awesome, we told everyone that the collaboration sucked and having everyone say, 'Dude you guys messed up the song so bad.'"[1] Artists Maluma, Zion Y Lennox, and J Balvin publicly commented on the "rivalry".[1] The music video features a playful nod at the artificial feud, with the artists competing over love interests.[1]

In January 2019, Sebastián Yatra and Reik launched a collaborative work titled "Un Año" (one year). The single was well-received by many Venezuelan migrants who identify the song lyrics with separations from families.[15] The single was released alongside his new album Fantasía, which was released in April 2019. Despite releasing several reggaeton-influenced songs prior to releasing the album, the majority of the twelve tracks on Fantasía have been classified as ballads. Yatra commented, "I started my career as a balladeer. I listened to Luis Fonsi, Reik, Alex Ubago and Michael Bublé. I'm very grateful for all the urban things I've done but I did not want to lose my essence."[16] Fantasía has been nominated for Best Latin Pop Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[17]

2019–present: Dharma[edit]

Yatra performing in La Paz, Bolivia in 2022.

In June 2019, Yatra released the track "Runaway" with Daddy Yankee and Natti Natasha, featuring the Jonas Brothers.[18] "Runaway" is the first bilingual song Yatra has released. After writing the chorus in English, Yatra realized that he wanted a mainstream English-language musician to feature on the track, putting the recording of the song on hold for two years while he searched for the right collaborators.[18] Commenting on the song, Yatra stated, "you feel the happiness in the track."[18] Yatra performed the song alongside Natti Natasha, Daddy Yankee, and the Jonas Brothers on the opening night of the Jonas Brothers' Happiness Begins Tour in Miami.[19]

His single "Oye", featuring Argentine singer Tini, reached number one on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 for the week of 26 October 2019.[20] The music video received more than 40 million views in the two weeks after it was released on YouTube.[20] In October 2019 he was involved in political controversies after expressing his support for the politicians and candidates of the Colombian far-right, including controversial former president Álvaro Uribe.[21] Yatra collaborated with Mexican rock group Maná in November 2019 to release a new version of the group's 1995 single "No Ha Parado De Llover".[22] The song's music video, which partially centers around a fatal car accident, serves as a public service announcement against texting and driving. Maná initiated the collaboration after seeing Yatra cover the song at the 2018 Grammys gala.[22]

Yatra has publicly advocated for fans to practice social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. In March 2020, he began reading children's books on Instagram Live every night at 8pm EST.[23] Also in March 2020, he released a remix of his Fantasía song "Falta Amor" featuring Ricky Martin. On the collaboration, Yatra reflected, "Singing with Ricky Martin is just insane. I would have never thought it possible in [this] lifetime. It's huge not only as a Latino, but for any person that loves music."[23] He announced that he will be the opening act for Martin and Enrique Iglesias's US tour, which is planned to take place from 5 September to 30 October 2021.[23]

In 2021, Yatra recorded the Spanish song "Dos Oruguitas" and its English language version, "Two Oruguitas" for the soundtrack of the Disney animated film Encanto.[24] The song, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, represented Yatra's first inclusion on a Disney movie soundtrack and the accomplishment of a personal goal: "It's always been a dream of mine to be a part of a Disney movie and it really hits the heart when it's a Disney movie about my country and showing the best of what we have to offer, which is love and family and miracles," Yatra noted.[25] "Dos Oruguitas" was one of five songs nominated for Best Original Song for the 2022 Oscars.[26] On 22 February 2022, Yatra revealed the North America dates for his Dharma World Tour.[27]

Artistry[edit]

Yatra interview in 2022.

Yatra's music has been classified as Latin pop, reggaeton, and ballads. According to The Fader, Yatras music lands "somewhere in between the olden times' sappy romantics and the new wave's sensuous vibras."[5] He is influenced by Latin pop and reggaeton artists Ricky Martin, Shakira,[28] J Balvin, Juanes, and Reik.[3][29] In an interview with Billboard, he expressed a desire to collaborate with Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli.[3] Yatra believes that contemporary musicians commit an "error in associating ballads with boring and slow and old", and hopes to rejuvenate intererest in ballads for a younger audience.[1] However, his music contains elements of other genres; Desire Thompson of Vibe described his song "Traicionera" as a "trap-EDM blend".[1]

Despite growing up in Florida and being fluent in English, Yatra sings almost exclusively in Spanish. Yatra explains, "My goal was always to be a singer in Spanish. And I really wanted to understand where I come from and live it. A lot of times I went to Colombia and, even though I spoke Spanish and was always speaking Spanish with my parents, I still felt like an outsider. I wasn't 100 percent part of it. I wanted to give my roots the importance they deserve."[2] His June 2019 song "Runaway" was his first foray into bilingual songwriting.[18] In December 2019, he collaborated with South Korean boy group Monsta X for the song "Magnetic", which features verses from Yatra in Spanish and a bridge from Monsta X in Spanglish.[30] Sara Delgado of Teen Vogue called the song a "truly international pop hit".[30]

Filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2018 Smallfoot Migo Voice role; Spanish dubbing[31]
2019 Me llevarás en ti Himself Guest star[32]
2019 Klaus Jesper Voice role; Spanish dubbing[33]

Telenovels and series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2017 Guerra de ídolos Himself Guest star
2017 Las Estrellas Himself Guest star
2018 The Queen of Flow Himself Guest star[34]
2017 Simona Himself Guest star
2022 Érase una vez... pero ya no Diego / Maxi Lead role

Realities shows and others[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2018 La voz Kids 3 Coach Winner coach
2019 Viña 2019 Member jury Event
2019 La voz Kids 4 Coach 3rd place coach
2020 2020 Premios Juventud Host Ceremony
2020 La Voz 7 Advisor of Pablo López
2021 Conecta y Canta Host [35]
2021 2021 Premios Juventud Host Ceremony
2022 La Voz Kids 7 Coach 3rd place coach
2023 La Voz Kids 8 Coach Winner coach

Discography[edit]

Tours[edit]

  • Sebastián Yatra Tour (2018-2019)
  • Yatra Yatra Tour (2019-2020)
  • Dharma World Tour (2022)

Awards and nominations[edit]

ASCAP Latin Awards[edit]

Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result
2018[11] "Robarte un Beso" Award Winning Songs Won
2020 "Date La Vuelta" Won
"Un Año" Won

Heat Latin Music Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017[36] "Traicionera" Best Video Nominated
Sebastián Yatra Best Andean Artist Won
2019[37] Sebastián Yatra Best Male Artist Nominated
Best Pop Artist Won
"Por Perro" Best Video Nominated
"Robarte un Beso" Best Collaboration Nominated

Grammy Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 Fantasía[38] Best Latin Pop Album Nominated
2023 Dharma + Nominated

Latin Grammy Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Sebastián Yatra Best New Artist Nominated
Extended Play Yatra Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album Nominated
2018 "Robarte un Beso" Song of the Year[39] Nominated
2019 Fantasía Album of the Year Nominated
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album Nominated
"Un Año" Song of the Year Nominated
2020 "Bonita" Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Song Nominated
2022 Dharma Album of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Vocal Album Won
"Tacones Rojos" Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Song Won

Latin American Music Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018[40] Sebastián Yatra New Artist of the Year Won
Mantra Favorite Album - Pop Nominated
"Robarte un Beso" Favorite Song - Pop Won

MTV Europe Music Award[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Sebastián Yatra Best Latin America Central Act Nominated
2017 Nominated
2018 Won
2019 Won
2020 Won
2021 Won

American Music Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 "Dos Oruguitas" Favourite Latin Song Won

Premios Lo Nuestro[edit]

Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result
2019 "Ya No Tiene Novio" (with Mau y Ricky) Video of the Year Nominated
2020 Sebastián Yatra Pop/Rock Artist of the Year Won
"Un Año" (with Reik) Song of the Year Nominated
Single of the Year Nominated
Pop/Rock Song of the Year Won
Pop/Rock Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Fantasía Album of the Year Nominated
"Runaway" (with Jonas Brothers, Daddy Yankee & Natti Natasha) Crossover Collaboration of the Year Nominated
"En Guerra" (with Camilo) Video of the Year Nominated
"Date La Vuelta" (with Luis Fonsi & Nicky Jam) Urban/Pop Song of the Year Nominated
"Un Año" (with Banda Los Sebastianes) Regional Mexican Collaboration of the Year Won
2021 Sebastián Yatra Artist of the Year Nominated
Pop Artist of the Year Nominated
"Bonita" (with Juanes) Song of the Year Nominated
Pop Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Pop Song of the Year Nominated
"No Ha Parado de Llover" (with Maná) Nominated
"TBT" (with Rauw Alejandro & Manuel Turizo) Urban/Pop Song of the Year Nominated
2022 Sebastián Yatra Artist of the Year Nominated
Pop Artist of the Year Nominated
"Pareja del Año" (with Myke Towers) Perfect Mix of The Year Nominated
Pop Collaboration of the Year Won
2023 Sebastián Yatra Artist of the Year Nominated
Male Pop Artist of the Year Won
"Tacones Rojos" Song of the Year Nominated
Pop Song of the Year Won
Dharma Album of the Year Nominated
Pop Album of the Year Won
Dharma World Tour Tour of the Year Nominated
"Contigo" (with Pablo Alborán) Pop Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Pop/Ballad Song of the Year Won
"TV" Urban/Pop Song of the Year Nominated
2024 Sebastián Yatra Male Pop Artist of the Year Pending
"Una Noche Sin Pensar" Pop Song of the Year Pending
"Vagabundo" (with Beéle & Manuel Turizo) Urban/Pop Collaboration of the Year Pending

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Obando and the second or maternal family name is Giraldo.

References[edit]

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g Gomez, Luis (21 August 2019). "Sebastián Yatra's Music Dreams Began in South Florida". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Schiller, Rebecca (14 November 2019). "Sebastián Yatra Explains Why He Thinks J Balvin Is an Innovator in Latin Music". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Sebastian Yatra on New 'Fantasia' Album: 'It Felt Right to Take a Risk'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 12 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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  6. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Sebastián Yatra Biography". All Music. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
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  9. ^ Sebastián Yatra – Traicionera, archived from the original on 12 April 2019, retrieved 12 April 2019
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  13. ^ Deitrick, Quinn (3 October 2018). "'Smallfoot' is thoughtful, entertaining with a big message". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  14. ^ Raiz, Jessica (13 December 2018). "Sebastian Yatra and Mau & Ricky Are Single, Ready to Mingle in 'Ya No Tiene Novio' Lyric Translation". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
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  19. ^ Yang, Rachel (8 August 2019). "Jonas Brothers perform 'Runway' live with Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, and Sebastian Yatra". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  20. ^ a b Billboard Argentina (23 October 2019). "TINI & Sebastián Yatra's 'Oye' Breaks Into Billboard Argentina Hot 100's Top 3". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  21. ^ "Lluvia de críticas a Sebastián Yatra tras expresar su afinidad política". La FM (in Spanish). 26 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  22. ^ a b Exposito, Suzy (2 November 2019). "Maná, Sebastián Yatra Update 1995 Classic 'No Ha Parado De Llover'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  23. ^ a b c Exposito, Suzy (26 March 2020). "Sebastián Yatra, Ricky Martin Give 'Falta Amor' a Soulful Revamp". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  24. ^ Calvario, Liz (25 November 2021). "Sebastián Yatra on 'Nostalgic' Feeling of Recording 'Encanto' Song With Lin-Manuel Miranda (Exclusive)". ET. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  25. ^ Major, Michael (6 December 2021). "VIDEO: Sebastián Yatra Sings 'Dos Oruguitas' in New ENCANTO Clip". Broadway World. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  26. ^ Steve, Dove (8 February 2022). "Oscar Nominations 2022 List: Nominees by Category". ABC. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  27. ^ Flores, Griselda (22 February 2022). "Sebastian Yatra Unveils 2022 'Dharma' U.S. Tour Dates". Billboard. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  28. ^ Solà, Xavi (20 July 2022). "Sebastián Yatra: "No me gusta que todo deba tener un orden"". Ultima Hora (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  29. ^ Calvario, Liz (4 March 2020). "Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin Announce Joint Tour". ET. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  30. ^ a b Delgado, Sara (20 December 2019). "Monsta X and Sebastian Yatra Release "Magnetic" Music Video". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Sebastian Yatra on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  32. ^ "Sebastián Yatra participa en la película "Me llevarás en ti"". iHeartRadio (in Spanish). 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  33. ^ "Sebastián Yatra participa junto a Cecilia Suárez y Joaquín Cosío en animación de Netflix". El Espectador (in Spanish). 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Primeras imágenes de 'La Reina del Flow' del Canal Caracol". Rntretengo (in Spanish). 19 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Conecta y Canta". Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  36. ^ Fernandez, Suzette (8 June 2017). "J Balvin Wins Big at Heat Latin Music Awards 2017". Billboard. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  37. ^ Suzette, Fernandez (21 November 2018). "J Balvin Tops Heat Latin Music Awards Nominations: See Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  38. ^ "Sebastian Yatra". Grammy.com. 2020. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Lista completa de los nominados a los premios Latin GRAMMY 2018". Univision (in Spanish). 28 September 2018. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  40. ^ Fernandez, Suzette (25 October 2018). "Latin American Music Awards 2018: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.

External links[edit]