Sebastián Yatra

Sebastián Obando Giraldo, known professionally as Sebastián Yatra, was born on October 15, 1994, in Medellín, Colombia. Yatra is a bilingual singer and songwriter who has achieved international acclaim and multiplatinum record sales across Latin America, Spain, and the United States. Initially a Latin pop artist known for his ballads, Yatra has successfully ventured into reggaeton, earning widespread popularity and critical acclaim. He gained significant recognition in 2016 with the release of his hit single “Traicionera,” which catapulted him into superstardom.

Yatra’s early years were spent in Medellín before moving briefly to Cartagena. At the age of five, he relocated with his mother to Miami, Florida, while his father remained in Colombia to work in real estate. This long-distance family arrangement lasted for 12 years. In Miami, Yatra cultivated his musical talents, studying piano, guitar, and vocal technique, alongside being an avid soccer player. His passion for music was further ignited when he attended a concert by Colombian pop singer Juanes and decided to pursue a singing career at the age of twelve after playing Troy Bolton in his school’s production of High School Musical.

Throughout high school, Yatra balanced his academic and athletic commitments with his burgeoning musical interests. He played as a central defensive midfielder on his school’s soccer team and practiced performing for his teammates. After graduating from the Sagemont Preparatory School in Weston, Florida, in 2012, Yatra attended Babson College to study business administration but soon dropped out to focus on his music career, returning to Colombia at age 20.

Yatra’s career began in earnest in 2013 with his first minor hit single, “El Psicólogo,” which charted in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States. His initial success was followed by several other singles, including “Todo Lo Que Siento” and “Para olvidar.” However, it was the release of “Traicionera” in 2016 that solidified his status as an international star. The song, blending reggaeton, trap, and EDM influences, topped charts across Latin America and Europe and peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2018, Yatra released his debut album Mantra, featuring hits like “Sutra” with Puerto Rican rapper Dalmata. His follow-up album, Fantasía (2019), showcased his versatility with ballads like “Un Año,” featuring Mexican band Reik. Yatra continued to collaborate with high-profile artists, including Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, and the Jonas Brothers on the bilingual single “Runaway.” This track marked Yatra’s first significant foray into English-language music.

Yatra’s talents extend beyond music into acting and television. He voiced characters in animated films like “Smallfoot” (2018) and “Klaus” (2019) and made a special appearance in the series “La Reina Del Flow” (2018). In 2020, he served as a judge on the Disney Plus reality-talent show Conecta y Canta. His acting career further expanded with a leading role in the musical series Érase una vez…pero ya no, directed by Manolo Caro and set to premiere on Netflix.

Throughout his career, Yatra has remained committed to his roots, singing primarily in Spanish despite his fluency in English. His music, a blend of traditional lyricism and modern reggaeton influences, has earned him numerous accolades and a devoted global fan base. Now, at 29 years old, Sebastián Yatra continues to evolve as an artist, bridging genres and cultures with his heartfelt and vibrant music.