Manuel Turizo Talks Making Miami Home & How Traveling Inspires His Music

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In partnership with Delta and LATAM Airlines, Billboard caught up with Colombian urbano artist Manuel Turizo to reflect on the value of travel in his music and creative process, his unexpected move to Miami four years ago, and how he stays connected to his Colombian roots in his new home city.
Manuel Turizo:
I found my passion for music relatively, since I was born. My brother would sing to me and say that I could hear him. My dad played the guitar. You try to do what the people around you are doing.
Hey, everyone. I am Manuel Turizo and this is my story with Delta and LATAM Airlines directly from Miami.
Miami is the epicenter of the Latin industry. It’s so full of music and art. This is the place where all Latin cultures come together, and that allows you to work with tons of people who you can collaborate with.
“Una Lady Como Tú” came about one weekend when I was with my brother, Julián. Let’s put our hearts out on the table and write the most romantic love song with as much romance as possible. It turned into my first worldwide hit with my first song, thank God. Representing my [Colombian] roots in my music is something that happens naturally. The melodies you have in your head or your way of writing are influenced by the same things that you grew up with. We always write in code, like how you write salsa music, like how you write vallenato. It’s just something that simply comes from within you.
Traveling has influenced both my sound and my creative process. You’re listening to different sounds all over, different music and different melodies. All of that stays within you. A piece of those things starts to show up in your ideas. It’s important to be present everywhere — whether it be in Colombia or the United States, wherever it may be.
Watch the full video above!