Morat is a Colombian Latin pop rock band formed in the country's capital city, Bogotá. The band is made up of Juan Pablo Isaza (guitars and vocals), Juan Pablo Villamil (banjo and vocals), and the brothers Simón Vargas (bass and choruses) and Martín Vargas (percussion and choirs). Drummer Alejandro Posada was also a founding member of the band, but left in 2016 and was replaced by Martín Vargas.

Morat
Background information
Also known asMalta
OriginBogotá, Colombia
Genres
Years active2015–present
LabelsUniversal Music Group
Members
  • Juan Pablo Villamil
  • Juan Pablo Isaza
  • Simón Vargas
  • Martín Vargas
Past members
  • Alejandro Posada
Websitewww.moratoficial.com

History

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Formation

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The members of Morat have known each other since they were five years old.[1] They started playing together and, when they finished high school, decided to start a band.[2] The band has stated that their musical influences included Joaquín Sabina, Coldplay and Bacilos.[2]

The band's original name was "Malta". The name was inspired by a pet owned by Isaza. They switched to "Morat" because it was the surname of an ancestor of Alejandro Posada, former member of the band. The name was also inspired by the farm where the band made their first rehearsals which was named "La Morat":[3]

2014–2017: Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios

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Morat saw their first turning point when the singer Paulina Rubio showed interests in their composition "Mi Nuevo Vicio" and wanted them to turn it into a single.[4] In 2015, "Mi Nuevo Vicio" was released under the collaboration of Paulina Rubio and Morat, achieving great success internationally. The single rose to No.12 on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart, and reached No.1 in Spain.[5] The single was also certified Platinum Record.[6]

At the end of 2015, they received another international success with the new single, "Cómo te atreves", reaching the peak position in iTunes and bringing them to fame in Spain. In June 2016, Morat released their first studio album Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios through Universal Music Spain. The album debuted at No.1 in several Hispanic countries, including Colombia, Mexico and Spain.[citation needed] The album was certified 4× Platinum, and the band received a Latin Grammy award nomination for "Cómo te atreves".[7] After the release of this album, Alejandro Posada left the band and was replaced by Simón Vargas' brother Martín.[2]

In 2017, Morat produced the single "Yo Contigo, Tú Conmigo" in collaboration with Álvaro Soler as the theme music of Despicable Me 3.[8] The single peaked at No.9 on Billboard on 19 August 2017[9] and won the "Song of the Year" award in LOS40 Music Awards 2017.[10] This single was later included in the re-issue of Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios, which also contains the acoustic version of "Cómo te atreves".

2017–2019: Balas perdidas

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In 2018, Morat released their second studio album, Balas perdidas. The single "Cuando nadie ve" peaked at No.1 on Billboard on 18 August 2018,[11] and the single "No se va", released on 7 March 2019, hit almost 2 million visits on YouTube in less than a week.[12]

Following the release Morat kicked off their first-ever US tour to promote their album in 2019, with the first performance in San Francisco on 4 April 2019. The tour ended in Orlando on 5 May 2019, with performances in other cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.[13][14]

In April 2019, Morat released a song with Aitana called "Presiento".[15] "Presiento" was later included in the re-issue of Balas perdidas, Balas perdidas (Edición especial), on 10 May 2019, together with three other songs.[16]

On 15 December 2019, Morat ended their Spain tour with the last performance at the WiZink Center in Madrid. Antonio José, Aitana, Cali y El Dandee, and Cami were also invited to perform at this concert.[17] Up to this show, Morat has held more than 80 concerts in 13 countries.[18]

2019–2021: ¿A dónde vamos?

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On 13 December 2019, Morat released the single "Enamórate de alguien más",[19] the second single from their third album cycle (following the title track).

On 6 March 2020, Morat released "No Termino", the third single and the first of 2020. On 2 April, "Nunca te olvide", the fourth single was released. On 22 May, "Bajo la mesa", along with Sebastián Yatra, was released, the fifth single from the third album and the first collaboration. On 11 June, the band released a collaboration with Reik titled "La Bella y la Bestia." On 30 July they released "Más de lo que aposté"—their second collaboration with Aitana—and on 6 August they released "Labios Rotos", which is a tribute to the Mexican band Zoé.

On 7 November, after more than 5 months without playing on stage, Morat played a virtual concert through Rappi called "Echando un cuento." According to the app, it was the best-selling virtual concert on the continent in 2020.

On 13 November, "Al aire" was released, the sixth single from their third album, with its respective music video, which was recorded in the municipality of Guasca, Cundinamarca.

On 3 June 2021, they released a collaboration with Danna Paola. On 15 July 2021, Morat released their third studio album, ¿A dónde vamos?.[2] The album was influenced by the band's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

2021–present: Si ayer fuera hoy

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On 4 November 2022, Morat released their fourth studio album, Si ayer fuera hoy.

Members

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Current

  • Juan Pablo Isaza Piñeros – guitar, piano, ukulele, lead vocals[20]
  • Juan Pablo Villamil Cortez – banjo, lead vocals[20]
  • Simón Vargas Morales – bass guitar, backup vocals
  • Martín Vargas Morales – percussion, backup vocals

Former

  • Alejandro Posada – percussion, backup vocals

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
MEX
[21]
SPA
[22]
Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios
  • Released: 17 June 2016
  • Label: Universal Music Spain
  • Formats: CD, digital download
5
Balas perdidas
  • Released: 26 October 2018
  • Label: Universal Music Spain
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1 1
  • AMPROFON: Diamond+2× Platinum+Gold[23]
  • PROMUSICAE: Platinum[26]
  • RIAA: Platinum (Latin)[25]
¿A dónde vamos?
  • Released: 16 July 2021
  • Label: Universal Music Spain
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1
Si ayer fuera hoy
  • Released: 4 November 2022
  • Label: Universal Music Spain
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2

Extended plays

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List of extended plays with selected details
Title Extended play details
Grabado en Madera
  • Released: 24 July 2015[29]
  • Label: Universal Music Spain
  • Format: Digital downloading

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
COL
[30]
ARG
[31]
ECU
[32]
ITA
[33]
MEX
[34]
POL
[35]
SPA
[36]
"Cuánto me duele" 2015 53
  • PROMUSICAE: Gold[37]
Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios
"Cómo te atreves" 23 2
"Del estadio al cielo" 2016
"Amor con hielo" 2017 16 24 50
"Yo contigo, tú conmigo"
(with Álvaro Soler)
76 29 15 18 Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios... y unas cuantas cosas más (Edición especial) and Mar de Colores
"Besos en guerra"
(with Juanes)
78 2 34 22 Balas perdidas
"Para que nadie se entere" 2018 Non-album singles
"Antes de los veinte"
"¿A dónde vamos a parar?"
(with Paty Cantú)
"La correcta"
(with Nabález)
42
"Cuando nadie ve" 43 2 21 Balas perdidas
"Punto y aparte"
  • AMPROFON: Platinum[23]
"Una y otra vez"
(with Santiago Cruz)
59 85 Elementales
"El embrujo"
(feat. Antonio Carmona & Josemi Carmona)
Balas perdidas
"Yo no merezco volver" 88
"No se va" 2019
  • AMPROFON: Diamond+3× Platinum+Gold[23]
  • PROMUSICAE: Platinum[44]
  • RIAA: 4× Platinum (Latin)[25]
"Presiento"
(with Aitana)
10 9
  • AMPROFON: Platinum[23]
  • PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum[45]
Balas perdidas (Edición especial)
"Déjame ir"
(with Andrés Cepeda)
16 Non-album singles
"Mejores amigos"
(with Yera)
"A dónde vamos" 31
  • PROMUSICAE: Platinum[46]
¿A Donde Vamos?
"Enamórate de alguien más" 15 61
"No termino" 2020 13 83
"Nunca te olvidé" 72
"Princesas" Non-album singles
"Bajo la mesa"
(with Sebastián Yatra)
52 ¿A Donde Vamos?
"La bella y la bestia"
(with Reik)
78 * AMPROFON: Gold[23]
"506"
(with Juanes)
2022 77 Si Ayer Fuera Hoy
"Salir Con Vida"
(with Feid)
39
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List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
COL
[47]
ARG
[48]
ECU
[49]
MEX
[34]
SPA
[50]
US
Latin

[51]
VEN
[52]
"Mi nuevo vicio"
(Paulina Rubio feat. Morat)
2015 22 2
  • AMPROFON: Gold [23]
  • PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum [53]
Deseo and Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios
"Sé que te duele"
(Alejandro Fernández feat. Morat)
2017 25 1 2 29 49
  • AMPROFON: 2× Platinum [23]
  • PROMUSICAE: Platinum [54]
Rompiendo Fronteras
"Consejo de Amor"
(TINI feat. Morat)
2018 33 65 58 Quiero Volver
"Más de lo que aposté"
(Aitana feat. Morat)
2020 21
  • PROMUSICAE: Gold [56]
Non-album single

Awards and nominations

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Latin Grammy Award
Year Nominee / Work Award Result Ref.
2016 Morat Best New Artist Nominated [57]
2019 Balas perdidas Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album Nominated [58]
LOS40 Music Awards
Year Nominee / Work Award Result Ref.
2016 Morat New Artist of the Year Won [59]
"Cómo Te Atreves" Song of the Year Nominated [60]
Morat Lo + 40 Artist Award Nominated
2017 "Yo Contigo, Tú Conmigo" (with Álvaro Soler) Song of the Year Won [10]
2018 Morat Best Latin Artist Won [61]
2019 Morat Del 40 al 1 Artist Award Nominated [62]

References

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  1. ^ "Morat, el pelotazo que vu of Los Andes". Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Salama, Jordan (7 October 2021). "How the Colombian Band Morat Is Winning Over a Global Audience". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Morat, así es la banda colombiana que ha puesto 'patas arriba' el verano". Hola! (in Spanish). 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ ""Cedimos 'Mi nuevo vicio' a Paulina porque sabíamos que haríamos temas mejores"". La Vanguardia. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Meet Morat, the Colombian Pop Band Who Hit the Charts With Paulina Rubio". Billboard. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Terelu entregó el disco de Platino a Paulina Rubio por sus ventas de 'Mi nuevo vicio'". Telecinco. Mediaset España. 20 June 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Morat presentará su disco 'Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios' el 9 de marzo en Granada". Europa Press. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  8. ^ "MORAT Y ÁLVARO SOLER PONEN MÚSICA A 'GRU 3. MI VILLANO FAVORITO', A LA VENTA EL 16 DE JUNIO". 12 June 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Chart History Morat "Yo Contigo, Tú Conmigo"". Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  10. ^ a b "'YO CONTIGO, TÚ CONMIGO' EN DIRECTO EN LOS40 MUSIC AWARDS". Los40. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Chart History Morat". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  12. ^ "MORAT PRESENTAN EL VIDEOCLIP DE 'NO SE VA'". 11 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Morat Ready to Bring Their Colombian Flavor to the U.S. With Balas Perdidas Tour". Billboard. 2 April 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Morat kicked off their "Balas Perdidas US Tour"". Seitrack US. 5 April 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Aitana colabora con el grupo Morat en 'Presiento'". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  16. ^ Sandra Pérez Abad (10 May 2019). "Morat presenta 'Balas perdidas: Edición especial'". El Rescate Musical. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Morat cierra su gira 'Balas Perdidas' en Madrid y anuncia su vuelta en 2020". HappyFM. 16 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  18. ^ "MADRID SE RINDE ANTE MORAT EN SU ÚLTIMA "BALA PERDIDA"". 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Morat presenta su nueva música para cerrar el año "Enamórate de alguien más"". 16 December 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  20. ^ a b Flores, Griselda (29 March 2022). "Warner Chappell Signs Morat Singer-Songwriters to Global Publishing Deal". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  21. ^ Peak positions for albums in Mexico:
  22. ^ Peak chart positions for studio albums in Spain:
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Certificaciones AMPROFON" (in Spanish). AMPROFON. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  24. ^ "TOP 100 Albumes - Semana 22: del 25.05.2018 al 31.05.2018" (PDF) (in Spanish). PROMUSICAE. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h "Gold & Platinum: Morat". RIAA. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Morat - Balas perdidas". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Morat - ¿A dónde vamos?". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Morat - Si ayer fuera hoy". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Grabado En Madera - EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  30. ^ Peak positions in Colombia:
  31. ^ "Morat Chart History (Billboard Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  32. ^ Peak positions in Ecuador:
  33. ^ "Discography Morat". italiancharts.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Morat Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  35. ^ Peak chart positions in Poland:
  36. ^ Peak positions in Spain:
  37. ^ "Morat - Cuánto me duele". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Morat - Cómo te atreves". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Morat - Amor con hielo". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Certificazioni". fimi.it. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Morat y Álvaro Soler - Yo contigo, tú conmigo (The Gong Gong Song)". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Morat y Juanes - Besos en guerra". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Morat - Cuando nadie ve". PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  44. ^ "Morat - No Se Va". PROMUSICAE. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  45. ^ "Morat y Aitana - Presiento". Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  46. ^ "Morat - A dónde vamos". Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  47. ^ Peak positions in Colombia:
  48. ^ Peak positions in Argentina:
  49. ^ Peak positions in Ecuador:
  50. ^ Peak positions in Spain:
  51. ^ "Morat Chart history: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  52. ^ Peak chart positions in Venezuela:
  53. ^ "TOP 100 Canciones + Streaming - Semana 40: del 25.09.2015 al 01.10.2015" (in Spanish). PROMUSICAE. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  54. ^ "Alejandro Fernández feat. Morat - Sé que te duele". Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  55. ^ Tini Charts [@ChartTini] (7 September 2019). "🇺🇾Certificaciones de Tini en Uruguay: "Quiero Volver" - 💿 + 📀 "22" - 📀 "Te Quiero Más" - 📀 "Consejo de Amor" - 📀 "Por Qué Te Vas" - 📀 https://t.co/J1YbBzg26K" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022 – via Twitter.
  56. ^ "Más De Lo Que Aposté -- Aitana, Morat". Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  57. ^ "Latin Grammy Winners 2016: Complete List". 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  58. ^ "2019 Latin GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees and Winners List". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  59. ^ "¡Estos son todos los ganadores de LOS40 Music Awards 2016!". Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  60. ^ "LOS40 anuncian los nominados a LOS40 Music Awards y confirman los detalles de la que será la cita musical del año". 7 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  61. ^ "LOS40 Music Awards 2018: artistas nominados". Los40. Archived from the original on 18 September 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  62. ^ "LOS40 MUSIC AWARDS 2019: NOMINADOS A CATEGORÍA GLOBAL MIXTA". Los40. 18 September 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.