How Beéle's Caribbean Aura Turned Him Into Colombia's Breakout Star
Beéle was 12 years old when he discovered 'Aye' by Nigerian-American artist Davido — a song he says immediately connected him with the Afrobeat genre.
'I felt the vibe and started writing notes and poems,' he tells Billboard. 'It was my way of disconnecting from the world. I preferred doing that and practicing my guitar to going out and playing with my friends.'
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His native Barranquilla — located on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia, and which is also home to Shakira and Joe Arroyo — has also influenced the Latin Afrobeat and pop-dancehall sound he's known for today.
'I grew up in a family where salsa, champeta, and African music from the 80s and 90s were heavily influenced,' he explains. 'I grew up surrounded by that culture and by a working-class neighborhood in Barranquilla, where I found my place over time. I understood that everything that made me proud of where I come from and the freedom to express myself perfectly reflects my personality and who I truly am.'
At 16, the artist born Brandon de Jesús López Orozco (Beéle is the pronunciation of his initials BL), released his debut single 'Loco' under Hear This Music — a feel-good, suave Afrobeats groove backed by his deep, melodic vocals. Its remix, featuring Farruko, Natti Natasha, and Manuel Turizo — and released in the midst of the 2020 pandemic — earned the emerging act his first Billboard chart entry, reaching No. 18 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart.
Since then, the Colombian artist has carved his sound path in the industry by teaming up with artists such as Feid, Rauw Alejandro, Myke Towers, Maluma and Piso 21. His 2023 collaboration with Sebastian Yatra and Manuel Turizo, 'Vagabundo,' marked his first No. 1 hit on both the Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts. This year, 'Mi Refe' with Ovy on the Drums peaked at No. 8 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart and 'La Plena (W Sound 05)' with W Sound and Ovy on the Drums gave him his first No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart.
'One day in the studio, I stopped, looked in the mirror to see who I was, and from there I said, I love this,' he expresses. 'What I wanted to show the world is that beyond being an artist, I want them to feel what I feel. From then on, my career has been created by that musical and diverse explosion that defines me. All along, I've tried not to look like anyone else.'
Earlier this month, Beéle released his debut studio album Borondo (5020 Records), home to 26 tracks, including 'Dios Me Oyó' with Marc Anthony. The set marked the artist's debut on the Billboard album charts, bowing at No. 10 on Top Latin Albums and No. 4 on Top Latin Rhythm Albums on the lists dated May 31.
'My encounter with music has always been unexpected,' he says. 'For me, music is a connection to my everyday life. I've had to live the way I live to be able to make the songs I'm making. I express myself. My heart speaks, my emotions speak, and they connect with the audience. I don't just make music, I make art.'
Below, learn more about May's Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise:
Name: Brandon de Jesús López Orozco
Age: 22
Recommended Song: 'Mi Refe'
Biggest Accomplishment: 'Since I started making music, I've achieved everything I've wanted, in my own way. My greatest achievement, truly, professionally speaking, has been making my first album, because I've always prayed for it and asked God that my music would connect with hearts the way his words connect with mine. I've been able to achieve something in this life that would make my children proud.'
What's Next: 'People think that after making this album, I'm going to stop for a while, but there are some really beautiful collaborations coming this summer. That way people can continue enjoying Beéle.'
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