Starting to play the trumpet at the age of 12, Colón switched to the trombone two years later. Making his recording debut in 1967, for Al Santiago's Futura label, Colón became a victim of misfortune when the label folded. Colón was much more successful when he signed with Johnny Pacheco's Fania label. When his vocalist failed to make Colón's first session for the label, Pacheco suggested Hector Lavoe as a replacement. The collaboration proved fruitful when two singles from Colón's first two albums (El Malo, Guisando) — "Jazzy" and "I Wish I Had a Watermelon" — became hits. Lavoe remained a vital member of Colón's band until the mid-'70s when an increased drug addiction caused him to miss or show up late for several gigs. Although their partnership formally ended in 1975, Colón and Lavoe continued to work together. Lavoe's last album, Strikes Back, released in 1987, was produced by Colón.
In 1975, Colón balanced his schedule as director of the Latin Jazz All Stars with studies in music theory, composition, and orchestration. His increased knowledge paid off quickly. In 1978, Colón was named Musician, Producer, and Trombone Player of the Year in a readers poll conducted by Latin New York. Three years later, he received an award as Musician of the Year and his album Fantasmas was named Album of the Year. Colón continued to garner acclaim when his album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos received a Grammy award in 1982.
Although they met backstage before a concert in Panama in 1969, Colón and Blades didn't begin collaborating until five years later. While working on the album The Good-The Bad-The Ugly, Colón asked Blades to sing on the Blades-penned tune "El Cazanguero," which reflected on Blades' experiences as a law student working in a Panamanian prison. The session was so satisfying that Blades became a full-time member of Colón's band following the departure of Lavoe. Their 1978 album Siembra became the top-selling album in Fania's catalog. Despite their success, Blades severely quarreled with label president Jerry Mascucci over money. Although Colón recorded two solo albums — El Baquine de Angelitos Negros in 1977 and Solo in 1979 — and Blades recorded a solo album, Maestra Vida, in 1980, their solo work failed to match the commercial success of their joint efforts.
In 1981, the two musicians resumed their partnership with Blades playing coro on Colón's solo album Fantasmas. The following year, they collaborated on the Grammy-winning album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos, which yielded the hits singles "Tiburon," "Ligia Elena," and "Te Estan Buscando." Their partnership again proved short-lived as Colón and Blades split up after working on the film The Last Fight. The split was far from amiable and the two musicians continued to feud until reuniting for a concert at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan in March 1992. Despite collaborating on the album Tras la Tormenta in 1995, Colón and Blades recorded their parts separately. Following a reunion concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1997, Colón and Blades performed a series of concerts together.
In the late '80s, Colón formed a new band, Legal Aliens, with younger musicians. Signing with Sony, Colón and the band recorded Color Americano in 1990 and Honra y Cultura in 1991. Two years later, Colón recorded Hecho en Puerto Rico with an all-star band featuring ex-members of the Fania All-Stars, Papo Lucca and Bobby Valentin. Since leaving Sony over a lack of promotional support, Colón continued to remain active.
El Malo
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que quien se llama El Malo
Si dicen que no soy yo
Te doy un puño de regalo
Quien se llama El Malo
No hay ni discusión
El Malo de aquí soy yo
Échate pa'lla
Que tú no estás en na'No hay problema en el barrio
Que quien se llama El Malo
Si dicen que no soy yo
Te doy un puño de regalo
Quien se llama El Malo
No hay ni discusión
El Malo de aquí soy yo
Porque tengo corazón
Échate pa'lla
Que tú no estás en na'
The lyrics to Willie Colón's song El Malo express the pride and confidence of a man who is known as "The Bad One" in his neighborhood. He dismisses any challenge to his title, asserting that he is the true bad guy because he has heart. He warns anyone who doubts his status that they will receive a punch as a gift.
The repetition of the phrase "No hay problema en el barrio" (There's no problem in the neighborhood) underscores the idea that in this man's world, things are under control, and he is the one in charge. The use of the nickname El Malo also carries cultural significance in Latin American communities, where monikers like El Chapo, El Guapo or El Jefe are used to denote a person's status and reputation. The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on machismo culture, where physical strength and bravado are highly valued.
Overall, the song suggests that being "bad" in his neighborhood is necessary for survival and respect. The lines "Porque tengo corazón" (Because I have heart) and "El Malo de aquí soy yo" (I'm the bad one around here) can be interpreted as a cry for recognition and respect from those around him, who he perceives as trying to challenge or undermine his reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
No hay problema en el barrio
There is no trouble in the neighborhood
Que quien se llama El Malo
Just because someone is called El Malo
Si dicen que no soy yo
If they say it's not me
Te doy un puño de regalo
I'll give you a punch as a gift
Quien se llama El Malo
That person who's called El Malo
No hay ni discusión
There is no argument
El Malo de aquí soy yo
I am the El Malo here
Porque tengo corazón
Because I have heart
Échate pa'lla
Get moving
Que tú no estás en na'
Because you're not in anything
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WILLIE COLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lanutriatraviesa
Qué bien me suena el mundo sin reguetón
@danielestrada3797
Dentro de no muchos años cumplirá 60 AÑOS esta canción y suena muchísimo mejor que lo que se hace hoy. Increíble.
@tshegofatsomariba5546
I don’t understand a single word but trust me 🥺!! I love it!!
@josemartincalderontorres8438
Soy hincha de Hector Lavoe y la salsa dura.Mi barrio es San Juan de Miraflores. Pero mi juventud la pasé en el Callao por trabajo, gracias a un amigo Alberto Rumiche (choclero) que está en el cielo,aprendí a escuchar salsa dura y son de boleros
@march1370
Tu causita está rumbeando en el cielo con salsa dura
@raulcotrinaparedes2750
Hola brother yo fui al revés vine a vivir a San Juan de Miraflores pero crecí en Barranco en los años 80's y de ahí viene mi apego a la música salsa , salsero de corazón
En esos tiempos se escuchaba mucho salsa de los 70s y tbm la nueva generación de esa época en ambos casos me gustaba aunk me gustó algo más la salsa dura
Saludos ✌️🇵🇪 causa
@vrownvegan3187
Cumpa... tu causa esta rumbeando arriba con el mismismo Hector Lavor. Chimpun Callao!
@carlosespinoza7824
Este tema es un digno representante de la edad de oro de la salsa... Una producción de temas empoderados de su género del cual en la. Actualidad se ha vuelto un subgénero con tanta mezcla y falta de creatividad
@CristianRodriguez-mj5yi
El gran canserbero me hizo conocer esta joyita... y tremendas leyendas ... 🎵🎶 salsa pura y dura ... saludos desde Locombia 🇨🇴
@albertotito3516
x2 yo vengo por la parte donde canserbero dice "Como willie colon, en lo profundo de mi corazón soy malo"