Manuel Turizo is in Los Angeles after weeks of international travel to promote his fourth studio album, “201.” Despite being thousands of miles from his hometown of Montería in Colombia, he’s managed to take a bit of his native country everywhere he goes.
“This album is my home,” the 24-year-old tells Variety in Spanish. Titled after his childhood apartment number, “‘201’ is the place where I decided to make music,” Turizo explains. “It represents culture and folklore, and the album reflects that – it’s my most personal project yet.”
Turizo returns to his roots after contributing to a string of feel-good pop and reggaeton hits – collaborating with established Latin superstars from Shakira to Wisin y Yandel – and landing global Top 10 singles and Latin Grammy nomination for “El Merengue,” collaboration he shares with EDM superstar Marshmello. His own solo single, “La Bachata,” hit a peak of No. 6 on Billboard’s Global 200 chart.
Long before establishing “201” as the new album’s title, Turizo felt a longing to capture the feeling of his life back home. “The party, the Latin energy, the family gatherings, the way we live,” says Turizo. This is best heard in songs from the album like “Enhorabuena” and “Plata Pa Gastar,” the former of which features an upbeat merengue, and the latter being a high-energy reggaeton anthem.
“The inspiration was Latin culture. I want people to feel what it sounds like when you get to a Caribbean city,” Turizo says. “You don’t have to understand [the lyrics]. It’s just like ‘listen to the vibe and you’re gonna get it.’ The way I talk, my tongue, my style, my culture — that’s what I represent when I sing. That’s what you feel in my music and what connects.”
Turizo, who began writing songs at age 15, prefers to let rhythms lead his studio sessions, with his songwriting process changing from project to project. “Tomorrow I could wake up and if I have an idea on my mind, I want to record it,” he adds. “I could be in the car [listening to music] and if I like the drums, if I like the melody, I can take inspiration from it.”
Known for blending stylistic tropes and sounds, Turizo has broken musical boundaries in the past, with songs like “La Bachata” superseding the genre’s traditional guitar in favor of R&B vocals paired with electronic riffs.
“It would be too boring to do the same thing,” Turizo says. “I want to explore. I want to have fun. I want to try to learn something, find a sound that maybe I couldn’t get before. That’s the challenge. You enjoy getting better.”
Turizo’s longtime manager Juan Diego Medina – who also managed Nicky Jam among others – has been a guiding light throughout the young entertainer’s career as he builds his audience in new markets.
“He’s the one who taught me how to work in this world,” Turizo says. “When you first start, you know music, but not the music business. I’m grateful I met someone who showed me the right way.”
After a rapid rise to stardom, Turizo is plotting to grow in his craft and hone in on his business regimens: acting for television and film, designing visual art and launching fashion brands, for example, are potential avenues.
“I want to be a musician. I want to be a great singer,” Turizo concludes. “If I decide to do something else, something in cinema, I need to do it the same way. Not just do it because Manuel Turizo is famous. If I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna do it well.”
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