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Julia Martín

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Aguilar and the second or maternal family name is Martín.

Julia Martín
Background information
Birth nameJulia Aguilar Martín
Born (1987-10-02) October 2, 1987 (age 37)
Málaga, Spain
OriginMálaga, Spain
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2017–present
Websitejuliamartinmusic.com

Julia Aguilar Martín (born 2 October 1987), known professionally as Julia Martín, is a Spanish singer, songwriter, and record producer from Málaga. She is known for her distinctive use of live looping techniques and her genre-blending musical style that incorporates elements of pop, R&B, neo soul, funk, and Afrobeats.[1]

Early life and education

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She grew up in an artistic family; her father is Paco Aguilar, an artist and owner of the art workshop Gravura, and her grandfather Pedro Aguilar "Casero" was a flamenco singer, though not professionally.[2]

As a child, Julia was influenced by Michael Jackson, particularly after listening to his album History. She began taking flamenco lessons from Sole, a cantaora friend of her parents, and initially performed the famous Tangos de La Repompa.[3] Her musical education was further enriched by her father's eclectic taste, which included artists like Sade, Dire Straits, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.[4]

Julia studied Musical Interpretation at the Superior School of Dramatic Art of Málaga, completing part of her studies in Rennes, France.[5] After finishing her education, she initially worked at Málaga Airport selling tourist packages before moving to London, United Kingdom, where she lived for two years.[6]

Career

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Early career and London period (2010s)

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With only 300 euros, she moved to London, where she worked in a recording studio and met Des Marks, who introduced her to Jamaican music and the London underground music scene.[7] It was during this period that she began her career as a songwriter and created some of the songs that would later appear on her first album.[8]

Return to Spain and street performances

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Upon returning to Málaga, Julia discovered the precarious reality of the Spanish music industry. She joined a band called Los Negroides and began performing on the streets, an experience she credits with teaching her valuable lessons about connecting with audiences. She has described street performing as "very honest and pure" and noted that it helped her overcome stage fright and develop her performance skills.[9]

During this period, she developed a special interest in live looping, a technique that has become her distinctive signature. This technique allows her to record instrumental and vocal sounds live and create layered musical arrangements during performances.[10]

S.U.P.E.R.R.E.A.L (2018)

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Julia's debut album S.U.P.E.R.R.E.A.L was released in 2018. The album featured collaborations with Elphomega, Gordo Master, and Des Marks.[11] The work showcased her eclectic musical style, incorporating elements of urban music, funk, electronic pop, and hip hop.[12][13] Many of the songs on the album were composed during her time in London and represented eight years of musical development.

Following the album's release, Julia became established in the local music scene, participating in notable events and festivals including Festival Terral, Brisa Festival, Porton del Jazz, and the Noches del Gibralfaro cycle.[14]

Recognition and collaborations

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In 2021, Julia served as a member of the jury for the Ateneo-UMA Awards. That same year, she collaborated as a music producer for poet Ángelo Néstore on his EP Poeta Ciborg Pecador.[15]

In 2023, Julia participated as a contestant in Cover Night, a program by Shine Iberia broadcast on RTVE.[16] She also won the contest for the second edition of Fulanita Fest, which allowed her to perform at Madrid Pride and be confirmed as the opening act for Fulanita Fest 2024.[17]

Yulai Bombay (2025)

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Julia's second studio album Yulai Bombay was released on 11 April 2025. The album, which takes its name from one of her early artistic aliases, represents a more mature and personal work. It features 14 tracks that blend neo soul, Afropop, alternative pop, and urban Latin sounds.[18] The album includes collaborations with SpokSponha, Elphomega, Alba LaMerced, Des Marks, and RJayMusiq.

The album was preceded by three singles: "Low" (2023), "Me Kisiste" (2024), and "Lo que no hago jamás" (2025). The song "Low" was written during the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses themes of anxiety and mental health.[19] Julia has described the album as an emotional diary that reflects her personal transformation and reconnection with her essential self.[20]

In 2025, Julia also composed the lyrics, produced, and musicalized the advertising campaign for the ANDALUZAA application, developed by the Junta de Andalucía.[21]

Musical style and artistry

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Julia Martín's musical style is characterized by its genre-blending approach, incorporating elements of pop, R&B, hip hop, neo soul, soul, funk, Afrobeats, and Afropop.[22] Her distinctive use of live looping technology allows her to create complex, layered arrangements during live performances, building songs in real-time by recording and layering vocals, instruments, and beats.[23]

Julia's lyrics often explore themes of personal growth, mental health, and social commentary. She has been praised for her honest and direct approach to songwriting, often drawing from personal experiences and social observations.[24]

Personal life

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Julia comes from an artistic family in Málaga. Her father, Paco Aguilar, is an artist and owner of the Gravura art workshop, which has exposed her to a multicultural artistic environment from a young age. Her grandfather Pedro Aguilar "Casero" was a flamenco singer, providing her with early exposure to traditional Spanish music.[25]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • S.U.P.E.R.R.E.A.L (2018)
  • Yulai Bombay (2025)

Extended plays

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  • La Buena Suerte (2021) – Special edition for Rosa Montero's book

Singles

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  • "Low" (2023)
  • "Me Kisiste" (2024)
  • "Lo que no hago jamás" (2025)

Collaborations

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Julia has collaborated with numerous Spanish artists throughout her career:

  • Guerrita – "Good Vibes" (Loto y Papiro, 2017)
  • Capaz MC – "Fuerte en estereo" (20 Golpes, 2018)
  • Capaz MC – "Juega y gana" (20 Golpes, 2018)
  • Rayka – "Una de las nuestras" (Presenta una de las nuestras, 2018)
  • Rayka – "Noespatanio" (Presenta una de las nuestras, 2018)
  • Elphomega – "Bocarriba" (The Freelance, 2019)
  • Da Silva – "Oye Flaca" (Malandra, 2019)
  • Daniel Lozano – "The Clouds Are Gone Away" (Insight, 2020)
  • Elphomega – "Flash" (Truly Yours, 2020)
  • Rayka – "Blind Me" (Cazador de Sueños, 2021)
  • Wasabi Cru – "I Trust You're Ready" (Green Shapes, 2022)
  • Elphomega – "CRUMMY MUSIC" (The F2eelance, 2023)
  • Sergio Gómez – "Moves" (On My Mind, 2024)

Production work

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  • Ángelo Néstore – Poeta Ciborg Pecador (EP, 2021)
  • Junta de Andalucía – "ANDALUZAA" (advertising campaign music and production, 2025)

References

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  1. ^ Vargas, Isabel (29 October 2021). "Julia Martín, de cantar en la calle a convertirse en una de las grandes promesas de la música en Málaga" [Julia Martín, from singing on the street to becoming one of the great promises of music in Málaga]. El Español (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  2. ^ Vargas, Isabel (29 October 2021). "Julia Martín, de cantar en la calle a convertirse en una de las grandes promesas de la música en Málaga" [Julia Martín, from singing on the street to becoming one of the great promises of music in Málaga]. El Español (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Tecleando el misterio. Soul y poesía. Actuación musical Julia Martín, Daniele Tozzi, Pablo Márquez y Adrián Cruces y la poeta Beatriz Ros" [Typing the Mystery. Soul and Poetry. Musical performance by Julia Martín, Daniele Tozzi, Pablo Márquez, and Adrián Cruces, with poet Beatriz Ros]. Diputación Provincial de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  4. ^ Budi, Javier (21 November 2018). "Julia Martín, una amalgama musical con gran personalidad" [Julia Martín, a musical amalgam with a strong personality]. La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  5. ^ "JULIA MARTÍN: LA VOZ QUE FUSIONA POP, SOUL Y R&B CON UN TOQUE ÚNICO" [JULIA MARTÍN: THE VOICE THAT FUSES POP, SOUL AND R&B WITH A UNIQUE TOUCH]. Música Nueva (in Spanish). 7 March 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  6. ^ Sotorrío, Regina (10 April 2025). "El regreso de Julia Martín 'aka' Yulai Bombay, la voz más ecléctica de la escena malagueña" [The return of Julia Martín, aka Yulai Bombay, the most eclectic voice on the Málaga music scene]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  7. ^ J. Fernández, Francisco (9 February 2019). "Julia Martín: <<El disco se llama así porque en él soy totalmente yo>>" [Julia Martín: “The album is called that because in it, I am completely myself.”]. Málaga de Cultura (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  8. ^ Parra Moreno, Rosa (5 October 2016). "Hablamos con la cantante Julia Martín" [We speak with the singer Julia Martín]. Aforo Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Julia Martín: "Tocar en la calle te quita toda la vergüenza y te hace más fuerte"" [Julia Martín: "Playing on the street takes away all shame and makes you stronger"]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 21 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  10. ^ "Julia Martín: "La música es lo que siempre me ha dado energía y lo que me hace sentir bien"" [Julia Martín: "Music is what has always given me energy and what makes me feel good"]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 19 November 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  11. ^ Vargas, Isabel (27 June 2022). "De Julia Martín a Eskarnia: diez promesas de la música malagueña invitadas a tocar en el Brisa Festival" [From Julia Martín to Eskarnia: ten promising Málaga musicians invited to perform at the Brisa Festival]. El Español (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Julia Martín presenta en Granada su trabajo S.U.P.E.R.R.E.A.L." [Julia Martín presents her work *S.U.P.E.R.R.E.A.L.* in Granada]. Granada Digital (in Spanish). 10 April 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Hablando con las agujas - Julia Martín, 'Superreal'" [Speaking with the Needles – Julia Martín, *Superreal*]. RTVE (in Spanish). 12 April 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Julia Martín conquistará Gibralfaro este viernes" [Julia Martín will conquer Gibralfaro this Friday]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 20 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  15. ^ Correa, Alba (9 July 2021). "'Poeta Cíborg Pecador': El debut de la poeta Ángelo Néstore en la música es una fantasía 'voguing'" [‘Cyborg Sinner Poet’: Poet Ángelo Néstore’s musical debut is a voguing fantasy]. Vogue (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Julia Martín hace una versión muy particular de 'Tu enemigo'" [Julia Martín performs a very unique version of *Tu enemigo*]. RTVE (in Spanish). 4 May 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  17. ^ "El talento de Julia Martín deslumbra en la antesala del Fulanita Fest" [Julia Martín's talent dazzles in the prelude to Fulanita Fest]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 11 May 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  18. ^ "Julia Martín lanza "Yulai Bombay", un diario emocional convertido en disco" [Julia Martín releases "Yulai Bombay", an emotional diary turned into an album]. Mondo Sonoro (in Spanish). 5 June 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Julia Martín habla de la ansiedad para sanar con su nuevo disco" [Julia Martín talks about anxiety to heal with her new album]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  20. ^ "El regreso de Julia Martín 'aka' Yulai Bombay, la voz más ecléctica de Málaga" [The return of Julia Martín 'aka' Yulai Bombay, the most eclectic voice of Málaga]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 9 April 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  21. ^ "La cantante malagueña Julia Martín presenta en SER Málaga su nueva canción "Me kisiste"" [Málaga singer Julia Martín presents her new song "Me kisiste" on SER Málaga]. Cadena SER (in Spanish). 6 January 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Julia Martín, de cantar en la calle a convertirse en una de las grandes promesas de la música en Málaga" [Julia Martín, from singing in the street to becoming one of the great rising stars of Málaga’s music scene]. Javier Ojeda (in Spanish). 30 October 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  23. ^ San Martín, Claudia (20 September 2020). "Magia vocal y 'looper', la esencia de Julia Martín" [Vocal magic and looper: the essence of Julia Martín]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  24. ^ Javier López, Antonio (19 April 2020). "Julia Martín: «Nos sentimos muy abandonados. Ser artista es una profesión como cualquier otra»" [Julia Martín: “We feel very abandoned. Being an artist is a profession like any other.”]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.(Subscription required.)
  25. ^ Bassa, Mar (17 June 2025). "'Yulai Bombai', el disco para hacer "reset" de la malagueña Julia Martín" [*Yulai Bombai*, the album to hit “reset” by Málaga-born Julia Martín]. Málaga Hoy (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
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