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.
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 © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WILLIE COLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Latinbluesband
нет проблем в районе
Кого называют Плохим
Если они скажут, что это не я
я даю вам подарок кулак
Кого называют Плохим
Нет обсуждения
Плохой парень здесь я
Потому что у меня есть сердце
Получите pa'lla, что вы не в па
@ajat1705
+Stefan Jekic 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 tu no estas en na/ (refrain)
- Eh, camina, camina camina loco, échate pa'lla porque tu no estas en na
- Que no te guilles de Watusi, que yo me guillo, yo me guillo de Superman
- Con tanta labia y con tanto cuento, pero que tu no estas en na
- Que te las echas de borinquillo y de borinquillo, pero que tu no tienes na
- Te pusiste bravo en la 110 y te dieron y te dieron bofetaa
- Pero que tu que tu no estas en na que mira negro tu no estas en na
(Que tu no estas en na.... si no sabes bailar) 5x
- Camina camina Chencho, pero que tu no estas en na
- Con tanto plante y con tanto cuento y con tu chalina, tu chalina colorada
- Pero camina, camina Lola, camina Lolo pero que echate pa'lla
This second part is fulled of puertorican expressions and the refrain repeats constantly.
@ajat1705
+Stefan Jekic There's no problem in the hood
about who is called the badass
if they say that i am not
i give you a punch as gift
Who is called the badass?
There's no discussion
the badass in here i am
because i have heart (passion)
/Step aside you are in nothing/ (refrain)
- hey walk along, walk on crazy Step aside, you are in nothing
- Dont you presume to be Watusi, so i presume to be Superman
- With much word and tales, but you are in nothing
- You presume to be borinquillo (puertorican boy) and of borinquillo you have not nothing
- You did the brave in 110 and they gave you a slap
- but you are in nothing, look nigga, you are in nothing
/You are in nothing... if you dont know to dance/ 5x
- walk along, walk on Chencho, you are in nothing
- with much pose, and too many tales and you red cravat
- but walk on, walk Lola, walk on Lolo, but get off my way
@tkuvma4372
It's pretty weird for an Egyptian who doesn't even speak Spanish to have memories with such a song from very far place, but I do..., I know it from GTA VCS and It really makes me wanna cry every single time I listen to it 🥺... I can't understand a single word, but I easily understood that warm latin American trumpet and drums ❤️❤️
@mr.x653
I feel you bro. Same memories with VCS..what a game
@danielakateacunaty3951
En el profundo de mi corazón soy malo... Grande Can
@3sevens802
Grande Willie será...
@26cffw
Alguien vino por "Como Willie Colón en lo profundo de mi corazón soy malo" ?
@luisacuna4166
Yoo jajaja
@josueberriosaviles5959
Yo
@samueldg3132
Sho
@luisescalante7246
El can
@alejandrodamianlezcano8943
Yo también mano!