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Manuel Turizo is sexy and he knows it. The often-shirtless Colombian superstar behind the global hit “La Bachata,” which has more than 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, exudes confidence and security in his sexuality — and he’s not above showing off his physique to the masses going wild for him at his shows.
Turizo’s rise is also the stuff of dreams. A decade after Turizo was first inspired by Colombian reggaeton icons like J Balvin and Maluma, both artists appear on the 26-year-old’s Apambichao album series, filled with two volumes of sultry songs. Turizo’s Apambichao, Vol. 2 dropped on Thursday. To embrace his roots in Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Turizo explores genres like merengue, Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and even more bachata. Turizo also continues to inspire viral moments after he was featured on Rawayana’s playful banger “Inglés en Miami.”
Ahead of the release of Apambichao, Vol. 2, we caught up with the heartthrob at Sony’s 5020 Studios in Miami.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Q1: How would you describe this era of your career?
TURIZO: I’d describe this phase of my career as simply vibrating on a high frequency. I’m resonating with what I love, and letting life and my emotions guide me. I’d put it this way: I’m living life to the fullest.
Q2: You’ve been in the music industry for 10 years now. What have you learned about yourself in that decade?
TURIZO: Well, I’d say that you have to work hard for everything you want, and I also believe that you create the destiny you want to see. Honestly, I’ve been so incredibly happy. I feel like life has given me so many wonderful gifts and so many unforgettable moments. I’m excited. I feel truly content.
Q3: How would you describe the experience of growing up in front of the world since you were 16?
TURIZO: At the start, I’d say it was like dropping a little fish into a tank full of sharks. You don’t really know how to handle it. You’re just trying to make sense of things and evolve at the same pace as everything you’re seeing and everything that’s happening around you. Today, I feel much more secure and freer to put forward what’s on my mind, to share my ideas and to live life the way I want to live it.
Q4: You’ve had your older brother, Julián, by your side the whole way. How would you describe your bond with him when you’re writing songs and touring together?
TURIZO: My relationship with Julián has always revolved around sharing music, working together and writing songs together. I’ve often told him that this is one of the coolest and craziest gifts to share with him. It’s not every day that the person you connect with most, whether you’re crafting songs or bouncing ideas around in the studio, happens to be your own brother. Before we ever entered this professional world, our hobby and way of hanging out at home was sitting down and writing things together. Now, it’s essentially how we make a living. The path that life has set us on and the mission we’ve been given to follow is just wild. I truly feel that this is one of those beautiful gifts.
Q5: You have hit songs in genres like reggaeton, pop, bachata, merengue, vallenato, música and Mexicana. Why is it important for you to never box yourself into one genre?
TURIZO: I’ve always enjoyed exploring different genres. It’s important to me. It’s something that unfolded organically. When I’d go into the studio to make music, explore ideas, and write songs, not everything ended up in the same place. Some days, a reggaeton track would emerge; other days, a ballad, a reggae song, a pop track or even a merengue song. Over the years, as I’ve evolved, I’ve tried to show my fans these various facets of my work. Thankfully, they’ve connected with many of these different styles, which has allowed me to broaden my scope. It’s given me the freedom to put forward pretty much whatever I want, and have my fans connect with it, understand it and feel it the same way I do. It didn’t start as a deliberate mission to do something specific. Rather, it’s simply how I express myself musically.
Q6: You’re also known for having very sensual lyrics in your songs. Where does that inspiration for those sensual lyrics come from?
TURIZO: I think it’s all about what stirs your emotions, your thoughts, and your desires. It’s everything I go through, everything I see. The inspiration actually stems from my own life and my memory. All the ideas come from what’s stored right here on my own hard drive.
Q7: You show that men can be sensual and romantic with your songs and music videos. What do you think about the men who don’t allow themselves to embrace that side of themselves?
TURIZO: I feel that it also has a lot to do with how you feel. It’s a matter of your personality. Everyone has their own personality and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also about feeling comfortable and secure with yourself. It’s about feeling good. That’s how I would describe it. Perhaps it’s also about stripping away some of the taboo around that. Often, there’s this rigid, one-size-fits-all expectation of what a man is supposed to be like. I think it’s actually something special when someone can express their own genuine and confident personality without worrying about whether others approve of it or not.
Q8: How do you feel about your fans seeing you as a sex symbol?
TURIZO: Well, I’m really grateful for all the affection. I mean, who wouldn’t like being complimented or told they look good? I enjoy it. It makes me feel good. It’s all part of how you like to look, how you choose to present yourself, or how you personally want to feel. I think you gradually build this vision of who you want to be and how you want to appear, and then you start projecting that into your life.
Q9: What would you consider to be sexy?
TURIZO: To me, a sexy person is simply someone who sparks a certain attraction and a certain allure. But I’d say it’s not something that you try to do. There are people who just happen to trigger that feeling in you, and others who don’t. It’s as simple as that. What one person finds sexy can be very different from what someone else finds sexy.
Q10: Something I love at your concerts is that you have women and men going wild for you, and it’s a safe space for everyone. What does your connection with your fans that belong to the LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
TURIZO: It’s truly special because I describe it just as the way you put it. You don’t make music thinking, “I only want this one specific person to hear it.” Most of the time, I write as if I’m speaking to a woman, because I’m drawing from my own personal experiences. But ultimately, I write in a way that allows people to connect with what I’m feeling, how I’ve experienced life, and how I see it now. I’ve always wanted people to truly connect with my music, feel good and enjoy it. My concerts are a space where people can feel comfortable, at ease, and they’re free to enjoy themselves. My LGBTQ+ fans are just incredible. They have an energy that’s out of this world at my shows and it’s so beautiful. You make music hoping that people will be able to connect in that free and open way.
Q11: We’ve often seen you without your shirt on, and you’re very fit. What’s your routine to take care of your body and health?
TURIZO: The truth is I’ve really grown to love working out. I’ve come to really enjoy going to the gym. I’ve developed a lot of discipline and have been learning a ton. Over the last few years, I’ve reached a point where I’ve started learning about what’s actually good for me. It’s not just about what I want to eat, but rather understanding what’s healthy to consume and what isn’t. As I began to learn about all of this, my body started to change. It kept evolving and you can really see the difference. It’s like the fuel you put into a car. If you use dirty fuel, the car ends up damaged, it’ll be stuck in the shop, it’ll need replacement parts, all sorts of issues. But if you use clean fuel, the car stays in pristine condition, it looks brand new, as if it had just come out of the garage. That’s the analogy I’d use.
Q12: One of the big hits this year is “Inglés en Miami.” How did that song come together with Rawayana?
TURIZO: That song with Rawayana was actually born right here at my place in Miami. We were literally sitting outside in front of the pool. We had already written two songs with the guys, just strumming our guitars, reflecting on life and talking about all sorts of things. A friend of ours, Daniel Rondón, started playing some chords on his guitar. I told him, “Play that, but give it a bossa nova vibe.” We got into a conversation, kind of teasing each other, about what happens when you fall for someone who’s come to Miami to study English. Another buddy chimed in, “Man, that actually happened to me! I mean, who even learns English in Miami? Nobody!” That playful banter sparked the idea or the song. The story just started to unfold on its own. Once we had that initial concept, we called Beto [Montenegro] and showed it to him. A few days later, he came over to my place again and we finished putting the song together. It really came to life.
Q13: What does the title of your album, Apambichao, mean to you?
TURIZO: For me, Apambichao can mean many things. It’s a relaxed and laid-back vibe. It’s about dancing closely with that special someone with deep feeling and passion. Apambichao is about being in the moment, staying relaxed, doing your own thing, and just catching the vibe.
Q14: The Apambichao albums are also a reflection of the culture and music of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. What does it mean for you to represent the costeño people with these albums?
TURIZO: I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve consciously set out to represent. Rather, it’s just the landscape of my own imagination. It’s how ideas take shape in my mind. It’s rooted in the world where I grew up. That’s simply the world I inhabit and it’s a reflection of my reality. I believe that if you end up representing something, it’s only because it’s already a part of who you are. It’s woven into your character and the way you carry yourself. Through your actions, you naturally reflect the very things you might be seen as representing. For me, it’s really just about resonating with my own world, connecting with the things that make me feel good and happy, and tapping into that energy that makes me feel truly like myself.
Q15: How did your new single “Como Fuera” come together with J Balvin?
TURIZO: One day, J Balvin reached out to me and my manager, and we decided we had to put something together. While I was in the middle of my creative process, literally just hanging out on the beach here in Miami, the initial idea for the track took shape. From the moment we wrote it, I’ve always seen Balvin as a huge source of inspiration, especially when it comes to that melancholic and romantic vibe that still works for a party setting. I sent it to him, showed it to him, and he loved it. He didn’t push back or raise any issues at all. It was the most organic process imaginable.
Q16: You’ve previously collaborated with Maluma, Shakira and now J Balvin. What does having the support of these Colombian icons mean for you?
TURIZO: For me, it’s a dream come true. It’s a privilege. It brings a deep, genuine sense of joy. The memories with them are just incredible. These are such amazing experiences. Even though I started my career 10 years ago, I was actually quite young when I began, and it was in a scene where I was already a huge fan of theirs. They’ve been a major influence on me. They’re a true source of inspiration, so to be able to work with them, it’s just been incredible.
Q17: Shakira recently invited you to perform “Copa Vacía” with her during her residency in Madrid. What have you learned from Shakira through the friendship that you two share?
TURIZO: She’s a powerhouse who never stops dreaming and truly finds joy in what she does. She possesses a beautiful, admirable love for her art. Sometimes, when people have been doing something for a long time, it can just become part of the background. It loses its spark and becomes mundane, but she is a perfect example of how that passion doesn’t have to fade. She keeps that fire alive, driven by a desire to continue creating beautiful things and to keep pushing herself to produce something special and unique. She’s a truly great example of that.
Q18: There’s long existed the meme of Manuel Chorizo instead of Manuel Turizo. Now, Manuel Chorizo is officially incorporated in one of your new songs, “Cogiendo Pareja.” What did you think when Kapo sang about Manuel’s chorizo in that song?
TURIZO: I found it hilarious. It really cracked me up because, honestly, it’s just like the running joke at all my concerts whenever people show up with signs that say “Manuel Chorizo” and things like that. It was absolutely brilliant.
Q19: What can we expect from you next that you can tell us about?
TURIZO: I’ll see you on tour in 2027. I’ll catch you on the Apambichao Tour in 2027! I’ll be going all over the world. I’ll be touring everywhere, including the U.S. again.
Q20: What do you hope to accomplish next in your career?
TURIZO: Just keep doing the things I love. Staying excited about what I do, continuing to write cool songs, showing up to the studio, and singing for the people who enjoy my music. That’s really what it’s all about. Of course, I’ll always have specific goals like hoping the Apambichao Tour next year is a massive success, and, God willing, even bigger than the 201 Tour. In the end, it all boils down to this: Being able to keep enjoying what you love and the way you choose to live, while connecting with the people who recharge your energy and make you feel good.