Cabas

Popular in his homeland and well regarded internationally, Cabas is a singer/songwriter from Colombia whose folkloric yet funky style is reminiscent of fellow Colombian star Carlos Vives. Younger and fresher than that actor turned singer, however, the singer/songwriter became a Colombian sensation at the young age of 24 after the release of Cabas (2000), in particular its chart-topping hit single, "Mi Bombón."

Born on October 7, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Andrés Cabas (as he is sometimes referred to) is the son of Eduardo Cabas, also a songwriter. At age 24 he became a sensation in his homeland after his breakthrough hit single, "Mi Bombón," topped the national singles chart for weeks on end. Released on EMI, Cabas' self-titled album debut was also a hit, earning him a 2002 Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. The follow-up album Contacto (2003) was also a major success, spawning another international hit single, "La Caderona."

Puro Cabas (2005) continued the young singer/songwriter's success. Produced by Toy Hernández and Sacha Triujeque, Puro Cabas includes a collaboration with songwriter/producer Kike Santander on "La Cadena de Oro." The song earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Song, while Puro Cabas earned a nomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album. Amid the success of Puro Cabas, three new songs were compiled alongside previously released material for the release of De la Sombra a la Luz (2006), more or less a bonus edition of Puro Cabas. A couple years later Cabas returned to the Latin Grammys when "Bonita," a song from his album Amores Dificiles (2008), was nominated for Recording of the Year. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi