Colombia’s Ovy On Drums Reshapes Global Pop Vibrancy

Ovy On The Drums, the Colombian producer behind Karol G’s greatest hits, has become a driving force in Latin music. Raised amid hardship in Medellín’s Comuna 13, he now ranks alongside pop masterminds, shaping a new sound with global ambition.

From the Streets of Medellín to Global Airwaves

Today, Ovy On The Drums is recognized as the prolific architect of many chart-dominating Latin tracks, yet his life could have followed a radically different course. “I wanted to be a footballer,” he told EFE during an interview in Spain. He now finds himself enjoying a number-one hit, “La plena,” alongside W Sound and Beéle—”the biggest song in Spanish right now, even bigger than Bad Bunny,” he enthused.

Born Daniel Echevarría Oviedo in 1991, Ovy grew up in the notoriously challenging environment of Comuna 13, a Medellín district once synonymous with violence. “Opportunities were scarce,” he recalled, “but it also depends on how you visualize your path.” He watched as many around him chose the easiest route, yet he felt compelled to do the opposite, saying, “I wanted to get out, to move forward and work.” In those tough early years, he had little reason to believe a global audience would one day dance to his productions.

To survive, the young Daniel labored at a local market, waking at 4 a.m. and toiling until late afternoon. “Hauling produce was honest work, and it taught me you have to become somebody,” he told EFE, adding that physical exhaustion gave him the drive to dream beyond Medellín. Fate intervened when, through a cousin, he discovered music-production software. He tested out beats, layering rhythms and melodies with an innate sense of balance. “I didn’t even like studying,” he confessed with a laugh, “but I found a real calling with music, and I realized I’d started late, but it was meant to be.”

This intuition, he believes, shaped his creative identity. “I feel I have a special connection with music, and that’s how I created a very unique sound,” he said. “That’s why sometimes I’ll work with an artist, and nothing happens, and other times… huge things happen.” His track record certainly proves that. Although he has partnered with many rising stars, it was his collaboration with Karol G that blasted him to the top ranks of Latin music producers.

The Karol G Partnership and Global Breakthrough

Any discussion of Ovy’s meteoric rise inevitably circles back to Karol G, the Colombian pop-urban phenomenon. Their partnership mirrors the synergy that once united famed producer Max Martin with ’90s pop icons like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. Ovy played an integral role in Karol G’s sensational album Mañana Será Bonito, which earned him two Latin Grammy wins. Yet his big breakthrough moment came when they released “Tusa,” featuring U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj—a single that spent months dominating radio and streaming charts worldwide.

In speaking to EFE, Ovy revealed that “Tusa” almost languished in obscurity. “Nicki [Minaj] didn’t really see it at first,” he said, “and we kept that track in a drawer for more than a year.” Something about those haunting violins and the addictive reggaetón beat signaled to him it was a hit. “I had a sense it was big, maybe not a global anthem, but it was definitely special.” His hunch proved right; “Tusa” became the first Spanish-language song by a female artist to crack the U.S. Top 10 charts. It validated the instincts he calls crucial to his process: a blend of gut feeling, technical prowess, and a willingness to experiment.

Ovy’s success story stretches beyond Karol G. He has produced for major names like Anuel AA, Becky G, Myke Towers, and Argentine vocalist Paulo Londra. Of Myke Towers, he says with admiration, “He’s an artist. I’m such a fan of it that I feel shy giving him notes.” Asked whether he sees himself as a Max Martin or Jack Antonoff figure in the Latino sphere, Ovy shrugged off the comparison: “That’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. “I’ve never really thought of it that way.” Perhaps humility keeps him grounded, but the industry can’t help noticing his visionary influence on modern Latin pop.

In the meantime, Ovy forecasts Latin urban music is here to stay. He stated this is not temporary. It will persist. But can producers like him stay important plus stimulate the genre’s change? Ovy accepts this challenge. He wants to motivate other beatmakers. He intends to show them a local style can become a global success, even from simple origins. “I want to be influential so others can see you can come from Comuna 13 and still make it.”

Chart-Topping Ambitions and Creative Freedom

In Spain, to attend the Superlatino 2025 event by Desperados—and to oversee a collaboration with Venezuelan singer Micro TDH on “Guao Guao”—Ovy On The Drums seems poised for another wave of hits. “I say music saved my life,” he told EFE, describing how finishing tracks until dawn now feels far more gratifying than a 4 a.m. produce shift. The mix of fame plus success has made him change. He learned to handle business agreements and public appearances. The young man for whom soccer was everything discovered a different passion.

Ovy says that he finds the most pleasure in the production of a specific audio style, not in acclaim. He refers to a certain characteristic that makes his works stand out. This characteristic helped make “Tusa” popular. Though he is modest regarding his achievements, it is obvious he had a part in many international successes.

Ovy thinks further exploration is possible by mixing Latin pop, reggaetón, along with global inspirations. “When an artist is open-minded and fearless, that’s where magic happens,” he said, hinting at future collaborations that might go beyond typical reggaetón tropes. It’s a perspective shaped by his journey from the fringes of Medellín to the heart of the global music scene. The “Comuna 13 kid,” once hoisting heavy sacks of produce, now hoists golden statuettes and gold-certified singles.

Also Read: Colombia’s Karol G’s Triumphant Journey Unveiled in Netflix Movie

Even if soccer once beckoned, Ovy On The Drums has discovered a deeper calling that fuels him daily. His success underscores that vibrant Latin beats can conquer international stages without losing their authenticity. As he tells it, “I never set out to be in this position, but it suits me. Music was always there for me, waiting for me to catch up.” And catch up he has—turning adversity into artistry and local rhythms into universal anthems heard from Bogotá to Barcelona.