Stiven Mesa Londoño (born 27 January 2000), known professionally as Blessd, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born in Itagüí, he has worked with several well-known artists such as Maluma, Justin Quiles, and Myke Towers. In October 2021, Blessd signed with Warner Music Latina and released his first studio album which is called Hecho en Medellín.[1] His most popular song from the album, entitled "Medallo", has reached number 1 in Colombia and has over 100 million views on YouTube.[2][3] In March 2022, he was nominated for three Heat Latin Music Awards including Best New Artist, Best Artist – Andean Region and Best Collaboration for the song "Medallo". [1]
Blessd | |
|---|---|
 Blessd at the 2022 Premios Nuestra Tierra | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stiven Mesa Londoño |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | January 27, 2000 Itagüí, Antioquia, Colombia |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | JM World Music, Cigol, Warner Music Latina |
Career
editBeginnings (2015–2021)
editBlessd became interested in music due to the influence of his uncle who was a rapper. His uncle would play songs for him and help him practice freestyling.[4] He began performing as a hobby when he was 15 and competed in rap battles in Bogotá.[5] He was connected to music producer Lil Jay through a friend but did not have very much money. To pay for recording his songs, Blessd would start his day at 2:00 am helping his father and grandparents sell fruits and vegetables in the Central Mayorista de Antioquia in Itagüí. After working with his father in the morning he would go to school and sell candies to his classmates.[6] After school, he would use the little money he made to record sections of his songs.
At first, Blessd was exclusively a rapper and his first songs were shared throughout Medellin using WhatsApp.[7] To reach a wider audience, his producer Lil Jay convinced him to try out Reggaeton and put together some more romantic songs. One of those songs was "Una", which became his first song to go viral in Medellin.[8] Because he did not have any money to shoot a video for "Una", Blessd convinced the owner of Megastore Tienda, a clothing store in Medellin, to invest in the song and help pay for the video.[9] After a month and a half, "Una" became a hit on YouTube and got more than three million plays.[4] After "Una" went viral in Medellin, Blessd began performing in schools and at small concerts. He left school to focus on performing and performed at over 500 schools across Antioquia.[10]
Soon after, he met his manager, Dr. Velasquez, who signed him to the label JM World Music.[10]
In October 2020, Blessd released the song "Viernes Social" with Puerto Rican artists Alexis, Yomo, Amaro and Xantos. The song became the number one song on the radio in Colombia and had more than one million plays in the first 24 hours.[11] In November 2020, Blessd and fellow Colombian Ryan Castro released the song "Lejania". The song was successful not only in Medellin but across Colombia and in Costa Rica.[12]
In January 2021, Blessd released the song "Imposible". After hearing about this song from his best friend, Blessd was contacted by Maluma about joining the song for a remix.[13] He met Maluma for the first time when they filmed the video for "Imposible" Remix at Maluma's home.[14] The remix was produced the Prodigiez, and came out in May 2021.[15]
In the summer of 2021, Blessd released the song "Hace Tiempo". After just one month on YouTube, the song had over 10 million views.[16] In July, he was named by YouTube as a part of their Foundry Class of 2021.[17] In August, Blessd released the remix to his song "Dos Problemas" which featured Puerto Rican singer Javiielo and Venezuelan rappers Big Soto and Neutro Shorty.[18]
Hecho en Medellín (2021–present)
editIn late 2021, Blessd released his first studio album titled Hecho en Medellín which has 10 songs including "Hace Tiempo", "Quien TV" and "Medallo". He completed his first tour in the United States with shows in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida.[19] He also completed a tour in Europe where he sang for sold-out crowds in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Málaga and Bilbao.[20] Blessd was one of he opening acts for fellow Colombian artist Karol G for her Bichota tour stop in their hometown of Medellín .[21] He sang for the first time in many new cities outside of Colombia including Mexico City, Mexico, Caracas, Venezuela and Guayaquil, Ecuador.[22][23][24]
In January 2022, Blessed was nominated for a Lo Nuestro Award in the category "Artista Revelación Masculino" and was highlighted by Billboard as one of 22 Latin "artists to watch" in 2022.[25][26] Alongside fellow Colombian Ryan Castro, he released two new songs – "Niña de Mis Sueños" and "Quien TV" Remix.[27] The two had not worked together for almost a year after the success of "Lejania" because of differences between Blessd and the record label Castro was signed to concerning the remix of "Lejania".[28] On 14 February, MonitorLatino reported that "Quien TV" Remix had become the most popular song in Colombia and "Niña de Mis Sueños" was charting at number 6 in the country according to Billboard.
Personal life
editBlessd was born in 2000 in Medellín, Colombia. His parents separated when he was young and he moved with his mother to live in Bogotá. In an interview with MoluscoTV, he describes his adolescence in Bogotá as difficult because he had a hard time communicating with his step-father and was far away from the rest of his family. He began to spend a lot of time away from his home and got into many situations he describes as "dangerous". After a fight, he spent a short time in a detention center for minors. This experience made him want to change his path and he decided to return to Medellín.[7]
When he returned to Medellín he lived with his maternal grandparents.[4] Before leaving school to pursue his music career, he studied at the Institución Educativa Pedro Estrada.[5] At 17, he began working with his father and grandparents selling fruits and vegetables at the Central Mayorista de Antioquia.[7]
Blessd is a Catholic who learned about religion from his grandmother. He named himself Blessd because of the faith he has had since he was a young child.[4] He has many tattoos of religious imagery such as Jesus and The Virgin Mary on his arm and a cross on the back of his neck. He also has the word "bendito", which means blessed, tattooed across his fingers. He is often photographed before his performances on his knees praying with his team.
When asked about his inspirations, Blessd credits American singer and rapper Arcángel and Venezuelan rapper Akapellah.[7] He is also inspired by the Colombian artists he grew up listening to with his grandparents such as vallenato singer Diomedes Diaz and salsa singer Joe Arroyo.[29]
For a few years, Blessd dated Colombian influencer Nicole Rivera, who is known on social media as La Suprema.[30] She appears alongside him in the video for his song "Confia en Mi".[31] He confirmed the end of their relationship in on 15 March 2022, via Twitter.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPA [32] |
US Latin [33] | |||
| Hecho en Medellín |
|
— | — | |
| Siempre Blessd |
|
51 | — |
|
| Si Sabe |
|
95 | 29 |
|
Charting songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COL [35] |
ARG [36] |
CR [37] |
ECU [2] |
PAR [38] |
PER [39] |
SPA [40] |
US Latin [41] |
WW [42] | ||||
| "Lejania" | 2020 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Medallo" (with Lenny Tavárez and Justin Quiles) |
2021 | 1 | 27 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 27 | 22 | 80 |
|
Hecho en Medellín
|
| "Hace Tiempo" | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Imposible" (remix) (with Maluma) |
64 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
|
Non-album singles | |
| "Dos Problemas" (remix) (with Big Soto, Neutro Shorty and Javiielo) |
30 | — | — | — | — | — | 81 | — | — | |||
| "Quien TV" (remix) (with Ryan Castro) |
2022 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Niña de Mis Sueños" (with Ryan Castro) |
6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Si Sabe Ferxxo" (with Feid) |
2024 | 2 | — | — | 11 | — | — | 21 | 40 | — |
|
Si Sabe |
| "Mírame" (with Ovy on the Drums) |
1 | 95 | — | 2 | — | 7 | 28 | 13 | 58 | Non-album single | ||
| "WYA (Remix Black and Yellow)" (with J Abdiel and Anuel AA featuring iZaak and Pirlo) |
— | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 65 | — |
| ||
"—" denotes that chart information is unavailable or a recording that did not chart in that territory.
| ||||||||||||
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Una" | 2019 | Non-album singles |
| "Pensando En Ti" | ||
| "Mala Fama" | 2020 | |
| "Morena" | ||
| "Cuéntale" | ||
| "Confía En Mí" | ||
| "Infiel" | ||
| "Clandestino" | ||
| "El Bendito" | ||
| "Viernes Social" (with Yomo, Xantos, Alexis Mr. A, and Amaro) | ||
| "Unica" | ||
| "Lejania" (with Ryan Castro) | ||
| "Imposible" | 2021 | |
| "Mi Nina" | ||
| "Dos Problemas" | ||
| "De Todo" | ||
| "Dos Problemas" Remix (with Big Soto, Neutro Shorty and Javiielo) | ||
| "Imposible" Remix (with Maluma) | ||
| "De Buena" (with Sael) | ||
| "Hace Tiempo" | Hecho en Medellín | |
| "La Oportunidad" | Non-album singles | |
| "Quien TV" Remix (with Ryan Castro) | 2022 | |
| "Tendencia Global" (with Myke Towers) |
| Title | Lead Artist | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Royal Medellin" | SOG | 2020 | Non-album singles
|
| "Barrio" | Ultrajala | ||
| "La DT" | Kapla y Miky | 2021 | |
| "Shake Ya Boom Boom" | Static and Ben El Tavori | ||
| "Pasajero" | SOG | ||
| "Mal Mal Mal" | Nanpa Básico | ||
| "Te Extraño" | Piso 21 | ||
| "Adicto" | Chesca | ||
| "Horóscopo" | Javiielo | ||
| "Parcera" | Maxiolly | ||
| "L.N.E.M. (Gata)" | Maluma | ||
| "Ganas" Remix | El Clooy | ||
| "Ropa Interior" | Mike Bahía | Contento
| |
| "Dile La Verdad" | Big Soto | The Good Trip Deluxe
| |
| "Dónde Estás" | Jamby El Favo | Flow Futurama, Vol. 2
| |
| "Niña de Mis Sueños" | Ryan Castro | 2022 | Non-album singles
|
| "Enchulao" | Beéle |
Other charted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peaks | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL [45] | |||
| "Condenado al Exito II" | 2024 | 7 | Si Sabe |
| "Sornerito" | 24 | ||
| "A2P" (with Pirlo, Yovngchimi, Neutro Shorty, NLE Choppa and Foreign Teck) |
25 |
Awards and nominations
editPremio Lo Nuestro
edit| Year | Nominee/Work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Blessd
|
Best New Artist – Male
|
Nominated |
Premios Nuestra Tierra
editPremios Nuesta Tierra is an accolade that recognizes outstanding achievement in the Colombian Music Industry.[46]
| Year | Nominee/Work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Blessd
|
Artist of the Year
|
Nominated |
Best Urbano Artist
|
Nominated | ||
Best New Artist
|
Nominated |
Heat Latin Music Awards
edit| Year | Nominee/Work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Blessd
|
Best New Artist
|
Nominated |
Best Artist – Andean Region
|
Nominated | ||
"Medallo"
|
Best Collaboration
|
Nominated |
References
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- ^ a b
- "Top 50 Ecuador | national-REPORT". 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- "Si Sabe Ferxxo": "Ecuador Songs: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ BLESSD ❌ JUSTIN QUILES ❌ LENNY TAVAREZ | 💥 MEDALLO ( OFFICIAL VIDEO ), retrieved 4 February 2022
- ^ a b c d La Red: Blessd, un joven que pasó de trabajar en la plaza a ser un gran artista urbano – Caracol Tv, retrieved 22 December 2021
- ^ a b "Blessd". Spotify. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Villalba, Luciana (8 November 2021). "From Selling Fruit in Colombia to Collaborating With Maluma: Singer Blessd's Rags-to-Riches Story". we are Mitú. 100% American & Latino. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d Blessd: De vender frutas y estar en el calentón de la calle a recibir el mejor consejo de Arcangel, retrieved 22 December 2021
- ^ Blessd habla la historia de su tema "UNA", retrieved 22 December 2021
- ^ WRAL (14 May 2021). "¿Quién es Blessd, el rapero colombiano que presentó junto a Maluma el tema "Imposible" (Remix)?". WRAL.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ a b Roiz, Jessica (5 August 2021). "Latin Artist on the Rise: Meet Blessd, Who Went From Selling Fruit to Working with Maluma & Black Eyed Peas". Billboard. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Gomez, Albert (29 April 2021). "Who is Blessd?". AL DÍA News. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ ADN, Diario. "Blessd sueña con cambiar mala imagen de Medellín en el mundo – Noticias | Diario ADN". diarioadn.co (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Los humildes comienzos de BLESSD: trabajaba desde las 2am VENDIENDO FRUTAS todos los días 🔥🔥🔥, retrieved 22 December 2021
- ^ EP.60 – BLESSD. De vender frutas a grabar con Maluma., 3 August 2021, retrieved 7 February 2022
- ^ Chavez, Adriana (18 May 2021). "Blessd Releases 'Imposible Remix' With Maluma". Vacancy Magazine. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Meet Our Favorite Artists on the 2021 YouTube Foundry List". Remezcla. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
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- ^ "Blessd anuncia su primera gira internacional 'Tour Europa 2021'". Caracol TV (in Spanish). 4 October 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Gomez, Luis (5 December 2021). "Karol G Shows Her Colombian Pride at Hometown Stadium Concert in Medellin". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Amazing News! Coca-Cola Flow Festival Arriving November 27, 2021 in Mexico City after 1 year – IC CARIBBEAN". 11 November 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Nacional, El (16 December 2021). "Experience hizo vibrar a Caracas". EL NACIONAL (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Feid, Beele y Blessd darán el primer concierto multitudinario en Guayaquil". www.expreso.ec. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Univision. "Nominados Premio Lo Nuestro 2022: lista completa de artistas". Univision (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Billboard Staff (12 January 2022). "22 Latin Artists to Watch in 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ RYAN CASTRO Y BLESSD JUNTOS EN UNA ENTREVISTA HISTORICA @El Grupo B, retrieved 21 February 2022
- ^ Blessed explica porqué no salió en LEJANÍA Remix?, retrieved 21 February 2022
- ^ "EP.60 – BLESSD. De Vender Frutas A Grabar Con Maluma". www.audacy.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "La_supremaa on Instagram: "Todo es increíble a tu lado,eres mi lugar favorito.💙 @blessd"". Instagram. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ BLESSD | CONFIA EN MI ( Official Video ), retrieved 9 February 2022
- ^ "Búsqueda – Blessd (Álbumes)". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Top Latin Albums: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
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- ^
- Cusson, Michael (15 February 2022). "Colombia Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
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- admin (14 February 2022). "Los Número 1 de monitorLATINO/14 febrero 2022". Sistema de monitoreo musical | monitorLATINO (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- "Si Sabe Ferxxo": "Colombia Songs: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
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- ^
- ^ monitorLATINO. "Title". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Search – Blessd (Songs)". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^
- Billboard Hot Latin Songs Top 50 (February 12th, 2022), retrieved 16 February 2022
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- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c d "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ "Colombia Songs: Week of February 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Premios Nuestra Tierra 2021". www.premiosnuestratierra.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.