The global pandemic in 2020 was a defining moment for Jombriel.
Sixteen at the time, the artist born Jonathan Gabriel Cedeño Romero (his real name) took advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown from his native Esmeraldas in Ecuador to educate himself on how to write music.
“I’ve always loved music — ever since I was a little kid. I used to grab the remote control and sing along to old-school reggaetón songs,” he tells Billboard, referencing Zion and Arcángel as some of his favorite acts.” I decided to become a singer during the pandemic because I had nothing else to do. It would take me about a week to write the lyrics for a song — I’d write it line by line — and over time, I gradually found my flow. I never could have imagined that all of this would happen. I loved music, but back then, I only pursued it as a hobby.”
During that time, he quickly understood the power of social media, saying: “I saw other artists uploading a sound to TikTok and it going viral, so I started doing the same. I needed people to know more about me.”
His plan worked.
By 2025, his track “Parte y Choke” — a fusion of dancehall with reggaetón in collaboration with Alex Krack and Jotta — not only went viral across social media, but it also received the remix treatment from Ryan Castro, and it charted across multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard Global 200 and a No. 1 peak on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100.
His follow-up single, “Vitamina” with Colombian newcomer DFZM, also made noise on the Billboard charts, and it shattered records as the most-streamed song in a single day in Ecuador. Surprisingly, it was part of Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2025” list, joining other Spanish-language acts including Rosalía, Xavi and Manuel Turizo.
“We made that song at 5 a.m. while eating tuna salad — because we always eat tuna salad before making any song… it really puts you in the right vibe,” he laughs. “With ‘Parte y Choke’, people were left craving more, but the moment I uploaded ‘Vitamina’, I knew for a fact it was going to blow up — though I never imagined it would go global.”
Last year, Jombriel, 23, signed a deal with Warner Music Latina and dropped his debut studio album Jombriel de la Suerte. This year, he was the top winner at Premios REM — Ecuador’s biggest music awards show.
“I would love for everyone to know who I am and to realize that there is a wealth of talent in Ecuador — it’s not just Jombriel,” he shares. “More than just making it big, I want to build a lasting career and serve as an inspiration for the new wave of artists coming up. I want my music to reach every corner of the globe because it radiates such a beautiful sense of joy. My songs are meant for everyone to enjoy to the fullest.”
The song that ultimately put Jombriel on the map, “Parte y Choke” became his first Billboard chart entry thanks to a remix by Ryan Castro in 2025.
“Vitamina”—just like many of Jombriel’s music—is an innovative fusion of dancehall, reggae, and Latin urban beats.
Powered by a catchy transition beat, “Combi Completa” was voted by fans as their favorite Billboard New Music Latin release on May 22.
In the span of his six-year career that includes chart-topping hits and many award recognitions, the Ecuadorian star says his biggest accomplishment has been buying a house for his mother and son (he became a first-time father on Christmas Eve 2025).
“With my first royalty check, I bought my mom a house,” he says. “We come from a humble family, and my biggest dream was always to buy my mom a home of her own. We never had anything of our own, and with the very little she had, my mom supported my little brother and me. I always wanted to give my mom that dream so she could live in peace.”
Following the release of his latest single, “Combi Completa,” Jombriel will continue to release singles. Though he says he has no plans of releasing a new album this year, he admits that he recently spent time in Colombia, where he worked on about 30 songs, including his upcoming collaboration with trap star Kris R. called “Esclavo” set for June 25.
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