Luis Mateus

About

Colombian vallenato singer and songwriter known for songs such as "Quiéreme," "Muero por Verla," "Adiós Amor," "Confundido," "Sin Ti No Hay Vida," "Me Haces Daño," "Voy a Enloquecer," "No Quiero Perderte," "Buscándola," and "Mátame con Tu Adiós." He is also known for albums and projects including Luis Mateus y la Nueva Generación, Con Paso Firme, Con Encanto Juvenil, Inimitable, Tocando Tu Corazón, Una Nueva Etapa, 10 Años Haciendo Historia, Mi Biografía, Seguimos, the EP Amor Imposible, and projects such as Mis 20 Éxitos Renovados and Clásicos del Vallenato a Mi Estilo.

Before fame

He developed a passion for singing at a young age and began performing in festivals as a teenager. He gained early recognition after winning a local singing competition and was then discovered by musician Fermín Acosta. He began his professional career in the mid-1990s and signed with Discos Fuentes in 1997 and released his debut album Luis Mateus y la Nueva Generación that same year.

Trivia

He won Solista del Año in Ecuador in 2008. He received the Mara Internacional award for Best Male Voice in 2009. He earned the Cacique de Oro Internacional in 2011. He received recognitions from authorities in New Jersey in 2019, was honored with the Premio IPK in 2023 as a global icon of vallenato, and received career recognitions from the United Nations, the U.S. Congress, and the State of New York in 2024.

Family life

His full name is Luis Francisco Hernández Mateus. He was born and raised in San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander, Colombia. He grew up in difficult economic conditions and worked various jobs as a child including selling goods in local markets. His parents are Francisco Hernández and María Mateus. He married Mary Carvajal Angarita who has also worked as his manager. He has a daughter named Mariana Stefannia Hernández Carvajal who was born in 2004.

Associated with

He recorded a vallenato version of "Odio" which is a song originally performed by Romeo Santos.