The Cabas

Cabas stands out as a Colombian singer/songwriter whose folkloric yet funky approach echoes the sound of compatriot Carlos Vives while attracting both domestic fans and international listeners. More youthful and contemporary than the former actor turned vocalist, this artist rocketed to prominence in Colombia at age 24 with the 2000 release of his self-titled debut album, driven chiefly by the chart-topping single "Mi Bombón."

Andrés Cabas, sometimes credited under that fuller name, entered the world on October 7, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, as the son of fellow songwriter Eduardo Cabas. That same breakthrough track "Mi Bombón" held the top spot on the national singles chart for multiple weeks, cementing his status as a local phenomenon. Issued by EMI, the debut album itself performed strongly and secured him a 2002 Latin Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category. His next effort, Contacto (2003), likewise achieved widespread success and yielded the further international hit "La Caderona."

Puro Cabas (2005) sustained the momentum for the still-rising artist. Crafted under the production guidance of Toy Hernández and Sacha Triujeque, the album features a songwriting and production partnership with Kike Santander on "La Cadena de Oro." That track received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Song, and the album itself earned a nod for Best Contemporary Tropical Album. Building on Puro Cabas's strong reception, three fresh recordings were added to earlier tracks to create De la Sombra a la Luz (2006), effectively an expanded version of the prior release. Two years afterward, Cabas reappeared at the Latin Grammys when "Bonita," taken from Amores Dificiles (2008), was nominated for Recording of the Year.