Morat (band)#Members

The members of Morat have known each other since they were five years old in Colombia.{{cite news |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/cultura/2017-11-23/musica-morat-pelotazo-pop_1479418/ |title=Morat, el pelotazo que vu of Los Andes |access-date=2019-04-14 |archive-date=2019-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414172138/https://www.elconfidencial.com/cultura/2017-11-23/musica-morat-pelotazo-pop_1479418/ |url-status=live }} Since they were children they shared their love for music, creating a strong bond that would change their lives years later. This band was initially formed by Juan Pablo Isaza, Juan Pablo Villamil, Simón Vargas, Martín Vargas, and Alejandro Posada. They all attended the same school so it was easier for them to combine their friendships with music. As teenagers, they decided to take their friendship further and began playing the music of their favorite artists in their free time for fun.{{cite web |last1=Salama |first1=Jordan |title=How the Colombian Band Morat Is Winning Over a Global Audience |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/music/morat-a-donde-vamos.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=24 January 2024 |date=7 October 2021 |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211007233540/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/music/morat-a-donde-vamos.html |url-status=live }} After high school, they formalized their musical meetings by forming a band that showed their love for music. After trying different sounds and genres, they started writing their own songs, attracting attention due to their love and heartbreaking lyrics.

Originally, the band was called "Malta" but years later, they decided to give their band a unique name: "Morat." This name was born after putting together two ideas: the surname of Alejandro Posada’s family member and the name of the place where they played music for the first time, known as "La Morat." Their musical influence undoubtedly began when they managed to connect with the public through their lyrics, which reflected their personal stories and experiences.  Their inspiration began with their love of Colombian music but expanded to artists such as Joaquín Sabina, the group Bacilos, and the rock band Coldplay.{{Cite web |title=Morat (Universal Music Spain) |url=https://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/feature/new-developing-2025-q1-morat |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=www.hitsdailydouble.com |language=en}}

Once they had their own identity in the musical world, each one took a unique identity and place in the group. The vocalists and instrumentalists were Juan Pablo Isaza and Juan Pablo Villamil, while Simón Vargas and Martín Vargas took control of the rhythms through bass and percussion. The other member and percussionist, Alejandro Posada, left the band in 2016.{{Cite web |last=RTVE.es |date=2022-12-24 |title=¿Qué pasó con el batería de Morat, por qué abandonó la banda? |url=https://www.rtve.es/television/20221224/morat-grupo-musica-bateria-abandona-banda/2412682.shtml |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RTVE.es |language=es}} Definitely, Posada left a great mark on the group by having contributed to the creation of the band's identity and sounds. Once they reached internationally, collaborations began with great artists who are well-known in both English and Spanish. Their name has marked the music industry with their commitment and love, becoming one of the most famous bands in Latin America.

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20161004/41752187712/morat-paulina-rubio-entrevista.html|title="Cedimos ‘Mi nuevo vicio’ a Paulina porque sabíamos que haríamos temas mejores"|date=4 October 2016|publisher=La Vanguardia|access-date=6 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406103610/https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20161004/41752187712/morat-paulina-rubio-entrevista.html|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7378272/morat-band-on-the-rise|title=Meet Morat, the Colombian Pop Band Who Hit the Charts With Paulina Rubio|publisher=Billboard|date=20 May 2016|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407084533/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7378272/morat-band-on-the-rise|url-status=live}} The single was also certified Platinum Record.{{cite news |url=https://www.telecinco.es/quetiempotanfeliz/actuaciones/Terelu-entrego-Platino-Paulina-Rubio_2_2006580078.html |title=Terelu entregó el disco de Platino a Paulina Rubio por sus ventas de ‘Mi nuevo vicio’ |date=20 June 2015 |access-date=14 April 2019 |work=Telecinco |publisher=Mediaset España |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414171341/https://www.telecinco.es/quetiempotanfeliz/actuaciones/Terelu-entrego-Platino-Paulina-Rubio_2_2006580078.html |url-status=live }}

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.{{fact|date=January 2024}} The album was certified 4× Platinum, and the band received a Latin Grammy award nomination for "Cómo te atreves".{{cite news|url=https://www.europapress.es/andalucia/noticia-morat-presentara-disco-amor-efectos-secundarios-marzo-granada-20170130125437.html|title=Morat presentará su disco 'Sobre el amor y sus efectos secundarios' el 9 de marzo en Granada|publisher=Europa Press|date=30 January 2017|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406192920/https://www.europapress.es/andalucia/noticia-morat-presentara-disco-amor-efectos-secundarios-marzo-granada-20170130125437.html|url-status=live}} After the release of this album, Alejandro Posada left the band and was replaced by Simón Vargas' brother Martín.

In 2017, Morat produced the single "Yo Contigo, Tú Conmigo" in collaboration with Álvaro Soler as the theme music of Despicable Me 3.{{cite news|url=https://www.rlm.es/2017/06/12/morat-y-alvaro-soler-ponen-musica-a-gru-3-mi-villano-favorito-a-la-venta-el-16-de-junio/|title=MORAT Y ÁLVARO SOLER PONEN MÚSICA A ‘GRU 3. MI VILLANO FAVORITO’, A LA VENTA EL 16 DE JUNIO|date=12 June 2017|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406203041/https://www.rlm.es/2017/06/12/morat-y-alvaro-soler-ponen-musica-a-gru-3-mi-villano-favorito-a-la-venta-el-16-de-junio/|url-status=live}} The single peaked at No.9 on Billboard on 19 August 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/morat/chart-history/ita/|title=Chart History Morat "Yo Contigo, Tú Conmigo"|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920150017/https://www.billboard.com/artist/morat/chart-history/ita/|url-status=live}} and won the "Song of the Year" award in LOS40 Music Awards 2017.{{cite news|url=https://los40.com/los40/2017/11/14/videos/1510672836_079372.html|title=‘YO CONTIGO, TÚ CONMIGO’ EN DIRECTO EN LOS40 MUSIC AWARDS|publisher=Los40|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=2020-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406202839/https://los40.com/los40/2017/11/14/videos/1510672836_079372.html|url-status=live}} 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".

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,{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/morat/chart-history/mpe/|title=Chart History Morat|publisher=Billboard|access-date=5 April 2020|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920145955/https://www.billboard.com/artist/morat/chart-history/mpe/|url-status=live}} and the single "No se va", released on 7 March 2019, hit almost 2 million visits on YouTube in less than a week.{{cite news|url=https://los40.com/los40/2019/03/11/videoclips/1552322418_638553.html|title=MORAT PRESENTAN EL VIDEOCLIP DE ‘NO SE VA’|date=11 March 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406201338/https://los40.com/los40/2019/03/11/videoclips/1552322418_638553.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8505377/morat-balas-perdidas-tour-interview|title=Morat Ready to Bring Their Colombian Flavor to the U.S. With Balas Perdidas Tour|publisher=Billboard|date=2 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407092313/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8505377/morat-balas-perdidas-tour-interview|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://seitrackus.com/portal/en/morat-inicia-su-tan-esperada-gira-balasperdidasus-tour/|title=Morat kicked off their "Balas Perdidas US Tour"|publisher=Seitrack US|date=5 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407092312/https://seitrackus.com/portal/en/morat-inicia-su-tan-esperada-gira-balasperdidasus-tour/|url-status=live}}

In April 2019, Morat released a song with Aitana called "Presiento".{{cite news |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20190414/461639511735/aitana-morat-presiento-proyecto-video-seo-ext.html |title=Aitana colabora con el grupo Morat en ‘Presiento’ |date=14 April 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019 |newspaper=La Vanguardia |language=es |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414171947/https://www.lavanguardia.com/musica/20190414/461639511735/aitana-morat-presiento-proyecto-video-seo-ext.html |url-status=live }} "Presiento" was later included in the re-issue of Balas perdidas, Balas perdidas (Edición especial), on 10 May 2019, together with three other songs.{{cite news|url=https://elrescatemusical.com/morat-balas-perdidas-edicion-especial/|title=Morat presenta ‘Balas perdidas: Edición especial’|publisher=El Rescate Musical|author=Sandra Pérez Abad|date=10 May 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125093008/https://elrescatemusical.com/morat-balas-perdidas-edicion-especial/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://okdiario.com/happyfm/morat-cierra-gira-balas-perdidas-madrid-anuncia-vuelta-2020-4939655|title=Morat cierra su gira ‘Balas Perdidas’ en Madrid y anuncia su vuelta en 2020|publisher=HappyFM|date=16 December 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406163226/https://okdiario.com/happyfm/morat-cierra-gira-balas-perdidas-madrid-anuncia-vuelta-2020-4939655|url-status=live}} Up to this show, Morat has held more than 80 concerts in 13 countries.{{cite news|url=https://los40.com/los40/2019/12/16/musica/1576464137_392759.html|title=MADRID SE RINDE ANTE MORAT EN SU ÚLTIMA "BALA PERDIDA"|date=17 December 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215070309/https://los40.com/los40/2019/12/16/musica/1576464137_392759.html|url-status=live}}

On 13 December 2019, Morat released the single "Enamórate de alguien más",{{cite news|url=https://laverdadnoticias.com/espectaculos/Morat-presenta-su-nueva-musica-para-cerrar-el-ano-Enamorate-de-alguien-mas-20191216-0281.html|title=Morat presenta su nueva música para cerrar el año "Enamórate de alguien más"|date=16 December 2019|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407093426/https://laverdadnoticias.com/espectaculos/Morat-presenta-su-nueva-musica-para-cerrar-el-ano-Enamorate-de-alguien-mas-20191216-0281.html|url-status=live}} 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?. The album was influenced by the band's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 4, 2022, Morat released their fourth studio album, “Si ayer fuera hoy”. It was inspired by nostalgic songs from the early 2000s for its characteristic folk-pop style, which captivated millions of listeners around the world.{{Cite web |last=Argentina |first=Billboard |date=2024-12-15 |title=Cómo Morat pasó de actuar en clubes a llenar estadios tocando pop/rock |url=https://www.billboard.com/espanol/musica/morat-gira-estadios-entrevista-portada-billboard-argentina-1235856743/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Billboard |language=es-ES}} This album is considered one of his best creations due to the high level their songs reached, as is the case of "506" in collaboration with the famous singer Juanes. With this musical success began his new tour that covered cities in Latin America and Europe, “Si Ayer Fuera Hoy Tour”. In 2023, the announcement of a new tour impacted their fans around the world which was a stadium tour called: "Los Estadios Tour”, making them one of the most famous bands in Latin America. With more than 1 million tickets sold, they managed to reach 3 Guinness World Records and closed the tour through Disney Plus.{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Griselda |date=2024-02-07 |title=Morat Announces Stadium Tour in Latin America |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/morat-latin-america-tour-dates-1235601562/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} At the beginning of 2025, their new song “Cuarto de Hotel” became part of the film “El secreto del orfebre” by Mario Casas. In March of this year, they collaborated for the first time with Camilo creating the great hit “Me toca a mí”. This was just a start to their upcoming and 5th album titled M5 which is expected by the end of 2025.

He was born on August 9, 1994, in Bogotá, Colombia. From his childhood, he cultivated his love for music by learning to play multiple instruments such as guitar and piano. Years later he studied music production allowing him in the future to become the main composer and be of great help in the formation of the band's sound. As a composer, among his most outstanding creations are: "Cómo te atreves", "Besós en guerra" y "No término".{{Cite web |last=mentedigital.online |title=El legado de Juan Pablo Isaza: Más allá de Morat |url=https://www.decibeles.net/blog/NOTICIAS/NOTICIAS/EL-LEGADO-DE-JUAN-PABLO-ISAZA-M-S-ALL-DE-MORAT-/1855 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=www.decibeles.net |language=es-ES}} He has also collaborated in the writing of songs for singers such as Sebastián Yatra and Aitana.

He was born on September 1, 1994, in Bogotá, Colombia. Before devoting himself fully to music, he pursued a career in engineering. He has stood out as the vocalist of the band and has made a great contribution by adding the banjo to the musical themes, which is an unusual instrument in Latin American songs. Together with Isaza's voice, he has transmitted warmth and love to their songs, creating a great impact on her audience and Spanish-speaking music. {{cite web |last1=Flores |first1=Griselda |date=29 March 2022 |title=Warner Chappell Signs Morat Singer-Songwriters to Global Publishing Deal |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/morat-juan-pablo-isaza-juan-pablo-villamil-warner-chappell-music-publishing-deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124163808/https://www.billboard.com/pro/morat-juan-pablo-isaza-juan-pablo-villamil-warner-chappell-music-publishing-deal/ |archive-date=24 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=Billboard}}In addition, he has helped in the composition of some of the band's songs and has stood out as a literary writer by publishing his first book “Las canciones que no escribimos”.

He was born on October 24, 1993, in Bogotá, Colombia. He is Morat's bassist and backing vocalist, known for his energetic and active presence on stage. In addition to bass, he contributes songwriting, contributing ideas and lyrics that shape Morat's signature love and heartbreaking music.{{Cite web |last=Jatin |date=2024-12-12 |title=Morat: The Story of a Band That Won Hearts Around the World |url=https://blog.delivermytune.com/morat/#:~:text=The%20Big%20Break:%20How%20Morat%20Became%20Famous&text=Their%20big%20moment%20came%20with,who%20these%20talented%20guys%20were. |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Deliver My Tune |language=en-US}} As same as Villamil, he has a great love for literature that led him to write his first novel called "The Unnameable". Of all the band members, he is the one who interacts the most with social networks and his fans, creating a deeper connection.

He was born on July 25, 1996 in Bogotá, Colombia. He joined the band in 2016 just after Alejandro Posada's departure, becoming the youngest member. Before being part of Morat, I studied music while playing drums in local bands. His drumming gives life to Morat's signature sound after mixing folk, pop, and Latin music.{{Cite web |last=Raygoza |first=Isabela |date=2024-03-14 |title=Morat Talks First-Ever Stadium Tour & ‘Singing to All of Latin America at Once’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/morat-stadium-tour-grupo-frontera-cover-billboard-news-interview-1235633064/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} In addition to being a drummer and percussionist, he often contributes vocals by constantly adding different sounds to songs.

Alejandro Posada was one of the founding members of Morat and the original drummer. However, in 2016, he decided to leave the band to focus on personal projects and other professional opportunities. His departure made Martín Vargas the new drummer of Morat. Despite leaving the group, Posada remains close friends with the band members.

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Category:Colombian pop musicians