Juanes Talks Miami and Embracing Duality on JuanesTeban

On this edition of Midweek Cafecito, we talk to Juanes, the Colombian pop star who recently released JuanesTeban, the twelfth album of his career.

In this conversation over Zoom, the Grammy-winning musician, known for hits like “La Camisa Negra,” spoke with New Times music editor Flor Franceschetti about exploring personal duality on this new record, the influence Miami has had on his music after 22 years in the Magic City, his upcoming tour, and more.

Co-produced by Nico Cotton and Juanes, JuanesTeban vacillates between darkness and light, cumbia and rock, spirituality and carnal romance across its 16 tracks, balancing moments of joy and optimism with emotional vulnerability.

When talking about the range of genres on the album, the singer pointed back to his upbringing: “I grew up listening to all folk music from Colombia and all across the Americas, from mariachi to tango to cumbia, everything.”

That mix of influences connects directly to Miami, a city he says reflects his own identity. After more than two decades living here, Juanes sees the city’s cultural diversity as part of the album’s DNA.

JuanesTeban, released March 6, also features a range of collaborations, including Rawayana, Bomba Estéreo, Conociendo Rusia, Mon Laferte, and Vivir Quintana. “The first thing I need to feel is admiration,” he says. “If an artist inspires me and is doing something fresh or different, that’s what draws me in.”

Looking ahead to his upcoming show at Kaseya Center on Friday, September 4, Juanes says this moment in his career feels especially meaningful.

“This is the best moment of my life to be on stage,” he says. “We’re learning how to give people energy and happiness, and the show is going to be very powerful and entertaining.”

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