From a Sydney studio space, Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes reflects on three decades in the music industry.
One of the biggest non-English speaking acts in the world, the 45-year-old is currently touring Australia.
He performed over the weekend at Byron Bay Bluesfest and is bringing his Latin groove to Sydney and Melbourne as part of the Australian leg of his tour. It's only his second visit Down Under.
"I'm having the best time in Australia," Juanes, real name Juan Esteban Aristrizabal Vasquez, told SBS News.
“What I like the most is the energy of the people in this country.”
The multiple Latin Grammy Award-winning singer says his music is a product of his country's diverse culture.
"There is some place between reggae music, funk, hip hop and rock,” Juanes said.
"I grew up listening to a lot of folk music, but I also love rock music and hip hop. So I try to combine all these elements."
He said his passion for music stems from a family home filled with singing and instruments - and the political turmoil that raged around him.
"If you take a picture of Colombia from the 80s, it is different if you took a picture of what is happening right now," Juanes said.
"Colombia culture is very rich. We grew up surrounded by many different problems and violence, but now that's changed a lot."
Juanes lived through the violence of the drug cartels that rocked Colombia in the 1980s.
The country was the hub of cocaine trafficking and production. Rebel kidnappers killed his cousin.
"Thirty years ago, there was no family that didn't have violence around them," Juanes said.
"I think art, in my case, was like a salvation, because through art I put all my energy, positive and negative."
Juanes said musical expression saved his life.
"And I just used music as a way to escape from reality but, at the same time, as a way to express myself," he said.
Those experiences, he said, ultimately influenced his political views and music.
"I love my country so much, and I feel so proud to be from Colombia. To go everywhere around the world, talking about my country and singing my music," he said.
Juanes has won two Grammy Awards and 21 Latin Grammy Awards, and sold 15 million albums.
In 2005, Time magazine named Juanes one of the world's 100 most influential people.
The Colombian superstar's aim is to spread a positive message and to empower others.
Charity
Juanes started the Mi Sangre Foundation to help Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines.
He's also organised and headlined two Peace Without Borders benefit concerts, the first in Colombia and the second in Cuba.
He performed before the European Parliament in 2006 as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the use of landmines around the world.
Juanes at Universal Music Australia (Sydney) Source: SBS
Last year, singer Logic recruited Juanes for a revamped bilingual version of his suicide prevention anthem "1800-273-8255."
Juanes reworked the first verse with his Spanish vocal, alternating with Logic on the distinctive pre-chorus and chorus hooks.
Singers Alessia Cara and Khalid also featured on the rap ballad, which was titled after the National Suicide Prevention Hotline phone number (in the USA).
"I think through music, there's always a possibility to send messages to child generations about the opportunities that you can have when you are alive and when you are positive about the future," he said.
It is an issue very close to Juanes' heart.
