One way of getting international recognition is to have Madonna suck your toe in a music video. That is what happened when the queen of pop released her single Medellin last year, a track that acts as a love letter to the Colombian city. More than the evocative production and visuals, what got the attention of fans was the other artist on the song, Maluma, and the toe-sucking.
To be fair, Maluma was already well known in Latin America, with a near decade-long career as a pop singer. But his association with Madge took him beyond the region and put him on the road to becoming a global star in his own right.
Music fans in the UAE will have the chance to discover what all the fuss is about when Maluma, 26, performs a Valentine's Day concert at Dubai's 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena.
Whether he sells out the venue or not, he is a big star, with his tours in Latin America and North America sold out months in advance.
That is before we even get into his astronomical social media numbers. He has about 50 million followers on Instagram and his biggest hit, 2017's Corazon, clocked up more than 1.4 billion streams on YouTube.
With all that momentum, you've got to applaud Maluma's willingness to scale things down and add new stops such as the UAE to his world tour. Then again, a Dubai show was part of Maluma's plans as long ago as 2018. When asked by Rolling Stone magazine about what was on his career bucket list, he was clear. "An Anglo Grammy, of course I want that. And I want to keep doing these kinds of big shows – go to Dubai and perform in an arena and also go to Tokyo."
That was all an indication of his large ambition and the drive he has to become a global star and emulate his musical heroes Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez.
Maluma has certainly got the overall sound and bravado to do it. Born Juan Luis Londono Arias in Medellin – Maluma's stage name is made up of the first two letters of his parents' and sister's first names – he spent his early years nurturing his football talent, while singing for fun at parties and local events.
With the social media explosion, particularly on YouTube, which has played a role in propelling new acts from Latin America to global recognition, Maluma ditched the football and released his debut single, Farandulera, in 2011 at the age of 16.
The song's popularity in Colombia earned him a major record deal and a year later he released his debut album, Magia, featuring Latin hits Obsesion and Loco. That album, full of sweet Spanish balladry and pop-friendly reggaeton, established Maluma as Latin America's Justin Bieber, an image the singer began to shed as he released more racy tunes and dabbled in hip-hop and dance music.
That move came at a price, though. Maluma was embroiled in the biggest controversy of his career when he released Cuatro Babys in 2016. The hit track, in which he sings from the perspective of a man who can't choose between four love interests, divided his female fan base and a petition was created that called for the song to be removed from digital platforms due to its objectification of women. Maluma apologised and only recently began to discuss the incident at length.
In a profile published in British GQ, he explains the song isn't a calculated attempt to shock people.
The track was also criticised within music circles, with Puerto Rican rappers Anuel A A and Bad Bunny questioning Maluma's reggaeton credentials. Anuel A A delivered a trending Twitter burn in which he described radio-friendly rapping as the "Maluma flow".
Not that Maluma is worried. He has never shied away from expressing his ambition and his enjoyment of the trappings of success. And with the favourable outcome of his fourth album, the pop opus 11:11 – in which Maluma collaborates with Madonna, Ricky Martin and Ty Dolla Sign – the Colombian is certainly living the good life.
Enthusiastic in showcasing his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, expect Maluma to post images of his jet-black private plane landing in Dubai and the occasional inspirational posts from picturesque locations in the UAE.
But such images will not simply be a boast.
Maluma has launched a foundation, The Art of Dreams, which supports performing arts in Colombia, and says he hopes images of his success encourage young Colombians to dream big and transcend the stigmas associated with certain aspects of South American culture.
"When I was very young, I was watching all these American movies, and everybody in the Latin culture wanted the 'American Dream', they wanted to go the United States," he said. "Of course, we find a lot of opportunities in America, but I think we feel more proud to be Latin than we used to, because we have the opportunities here in Latin America right now. We live in a very big moment, we have to take advantage of it."
Maluma will perform at the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, February 14 in Dubai . More information is available at www.coca-cola-arena.com
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
RECORD%20BREAKER
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
UAE%20ILT20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarquee%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMoeen%20Ali%2C%20Andre%20Russell%2C%20Dawid%20Malan%2C%20Wanindu%20Hasiranga%2C%20Sunil%20Narine%2C%20Evin%20Lewis%2C%20Colin%20Munro%2C%20Fabien%20Allen%2C%20Sam%20Billings%2C%20Tom%20Curran%2C%20Alex%20Hales%2C%20Dushmantha%20Chameera%2C%20Shimron%20Hetmyer%2C%20Akeal%20Hosein%2C%20Chris%20Jordan%2C%20Tom%20Banton%2C%20Sandeep%20Lamichhane%2C%20Chris%20Lynn%2C%20Rovman%20Powell%2C%20Bhanuka%20Rajapaksa%2C%20Mujeeb%20Ul%20Rahman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInternational%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELahiru%20Kumara%2C%20Seekugge%20Prassanna%2C%20Charith%20Asalanka%2C%20Colin%20Ingram%2C%20Paul%20Stirling%2C%20Kennar%20Lewis%2C%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Brandon%20Glover%2C%20Ravi%20Rampaul%2C%20Raymon%20Reifer%2C%20Isuru%20Udana%2C%20Blessing%20Muzarabani%2C%20Niroshan%20Dickwella%2C%20Hazaratullah%20Zazai%2C%20Frederick%20Klassen%2C%20Sikandar%20Raja%2C%20George%20Munsey%2C%20Dan%20Lawrence%2C%20Dominic%20Drakes%2C%20Jamie%20Overton%2C%20Liam%20Dawson%2C%20David%20Wiese%2C%20Qais%20Ahmed%2C%20Richard%20Gleeson%2C%20James%20Vince%2C%20Noor%20Ahmed%2C%20Rahmanullah%20Gurbaz%2C%20Navin%20Ul%20Haq%2C%20Sherfane%20Rutherford%2C%20Saqib%20Mahmood%2C%20Ben%20Duckett%2C%20Benny%20Howell%2C%20Ruben%20Trumpelman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
