Nelson Velasquez Diaz

Nelson Aníbal Velásquez Díaz was born on March 15, 1973, in San Juan del Cesar, Colombia. The son of recognized singer and accordionist Aníbal Velásquez, Nelson Velasquez began his musical journey at a young age, playing the accordion. His initial group performance was with ‘Los Sensacionales’ in San Juan, alongside his future accordionist Emerson Plata. His career gained momentum in 1995 when he collaborated with ‘Orquídea Records’ for the ‘Orquídeas Vallenatas’ project. Here, his rendition of “Volver” became a national success, establishing his presence in the Colombian music scene. The following year, his album ‘Volver a Triunfar’ and the track “Quiero Saber de Ti” further solidified his success, leading to international tours.

In 1997, Velasquez, along with Emerson Plata, formed ‘Los Inquietos del Vallenato,’ achieving significant popularity across Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and among Latin communities in the United States and Europe. The group released several successful albums, including ‘Inquietos por el Mundo’ (1997), ‘Presente y Futuro’ (1999), and ‘Eternamente’ (2000), with many songs becoming national hits. The album ‘Presente y Futuro’ earned them a gold record for millions of sales, accompanied by tours at major Colombian festivals such as the Feria de Cali and Feria de las Flores. His solo career began in 2006 with the album ‘Nelson Velasquez y la Nueva Era,’ which spawned hits like “No He Podido Olvidarte” and “Ajena.”

In 2006, Velasquez performed for 20,000 people in Monterrey, Mexico, and received a gold record for selling over 100,000 copies in Mexico. He also earned the ‘Orquídea de Diamante’ award in Maracaibo, Venezuela, recognizing his immense popularity. His 2007 album, ‘Conquistando Corazones,’ featured “Casualidad,” one of the most-viewed Vallenato songs on YouTube, and “Por Querer Olvidarte,” which became Colombia’s song of the year. Throughout his career, Velasquez has demonstrated versatility, collaborating with various artists and consistently producing music that blends traditional Vallenato with modern influences. He continues to perform at major venues and festivals, maintaining a strong international presence.