HOUSTON – Long before the sold-out concerts and hit collaborations with some of Latin music’s biggest stars, Manuel Turizo was a teenager in Montería, Colombia, writing songs in the back of his school notebook. Today, the 25-year-old singer, who’s become one of the leading voices of a new Latin generation, says every lyric still connects him to where he started.
Turizo stopped in Houston for his 201 Tour and sat down exclusively with KPRC 2’s Ricky Muñoz to talk about his roots, his family, and the fans who make this city feel like home.
“Soy de Montería” — the story begins in Colombia
Turizo grew up in Montería, a cattle-ranching region known for its music and its pride. “I’m from Colombia, born and raised in a city called Montería,” he said. “I started singing at sixteen, but I was writing way before that. In school, while they were giving classes, I was in the back of the room writing songs.”
He laughs thinking about those early days — the kid who wanted to be a veterinarian but couldn’t resist the pull of music. “I liked animals a lot. Montería is the capital of cattle farming in Colombia, and my dad worked in that world,” he said. “But I don’t like medicine. That’s where I realized music was my thing.”
At 12, he started writing his first lyrics, not realizing that years later, those words would take him across continents.
A family built on music
Manuel’s older brother, Julián Turizo, has been a constant presence from the start — first learning ukulele, now performing, producing, and traveling alongside him.
“It’s a blessing,” Turizo said. “Few people in the world get to dedicate their lives to something they love, and we got to do it together, at the same time. We say things directly — no filters — and that’s what keeps us strong.”
Their bond defines the way Manuel approaches his career: collaborative, grounded, and focused on authenticity.
The song that changed everything
In 2017, the brothers released “Una Lady Como Tú.” Within months, it went viral, gathering hundreds of millions of views and streams. It was the moment Turizo calls the start of everything.
“That song was the one that made it real,” he said. “Before it, everything was dreams, ideas in my head. After that, music had a face — it was no longer just hope, it was life.”
The success opened doors. He followed with “Bésame” alongside Valentino, and soon collaborated with artists like Ozuna, Mau y Ricky, and Reik. By 2019, he was releasing his first full album, ADN, which debuted in Billboard’s Top 10 on the Hot Latin Albums chart.
Finding his voice
Turizo’s vocals — often described as deep, smooth, and distinct — became his signature. Across four albums (ADN, Dopamina, 2000, and now 201), he’s shifted between reggaetón, trap, pop, and vallenato without losing his core.
“People think artists have to fit in one box, but I don’t believe in that,” he said. “201 let me try everything. It’s the first time I felt totally free in the studio.”
Released in 2024, 201 continues his pattern of growth — experimenting with sound while holding onto Colombian soul.
Collaborations and creative chemistry
Turizo’s career reads like a list of Latin music powerhouses — Shakira, Maluma, Ozuna, Marshmello, Reik, Myke Towers — but he says chemistry matters more than fame.
“What keeps me grounded is my personality,” he said. “Those things you grow up with, what you learn from your family — that never changes.”
Working across genres, he’s managed to connect with audiences in Spanish and English. “Even if they don’t understand every lyric, people feel the emotion,” he said. “That’s what music is supposed to do.”
Houston: “Always cariño, always love”
Houston has become one of Turizo’s favorite stops on every tour — not only because of the crowd but because of what it represents.
“This is the third time we’ve been here,” he said. “The first was with Sebastián Yatra, then with the 2000 Tour, and now 201. Every time, it’s love.”
He feels that connection especially during Hispanic Heritage Month. “Aquí tenemos colonias colombianas… me siento feliz, agradecido. Houston siempre me recibe con cariño,” he said with a smile. “Un abrazo gigante a todos los que vinieron al show.”
With more than 15,000 Colombian residents in the city, Houston is home to one of the largest Colombian communities in the country. To Turizo, that audience isn’t just fans — it’s family.
Pride in heritage
As Latin music continues to dominate global charts, Turizo says the real celebration is cultural. “This month reminds us where we come from,” he said. “It’s about roots, family, the people who believed in us first.”
That message mirrors the one he carries on stage: unity through rhythm, lyrics, and emotion that cross borders.
What’s next
After the 201 Tour, Turizo plans to return to the studio, continuing to experiment. He’s not chasing trends — he’s chasing connection.
“Life gave me and my brother this path together,” he said. “I’m grateful for every person who connects with my music. That’s what keeps me going.”
From Montería to Houston, Manuel Turizo represents the heart of Latin music — proud, authentic, and endlessly evolving.