Paraguayan singer Willian has established himself as one of the emerging voices of Latin pop, having already surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify thanks to his growing international reach. Originally from Santaní, approximately 150 kilometres from Asunción, his music has found a particularly strong audience outside Paraguay, driven by digital platforms and social media.
At 25, Willian José Verneque Zorrilla is experiencing a defining moment in his rising career. He recently performed the pre-show for Ricky Martin, alongside guitarist Lorenzo Recalde. Now based near Asunción, Willian is balancing viral success with new artistic ambitions, he tells The Asunción Times.
From family roots to a pandemic turning point
Music was always part of Willian’s life, long before he considered it professionally. “Music was present all the time in my family. I grew up with my mum, and it was always there, especially in church or family gatherings.”
Despite this early exposure, his artistic journey began much later. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he started composing seriously. Inspired by the rise of Argentine freestyle artists such as Duki, Trueno, and Wos, he began to see music as something accessible.
“I grew up watching them go from freestyle battles into real music careers. That made me realise you do not need big resources to start making songs. That is where everything started. All the music came from that moment.”
“Sol” and a global digital breakthrough
Willian’s breakthrough came with his track Sol, which has reached over 80 million streams on Spotify. The song expanded his audience internationally, reaching listeners across Latin America and Europe. However, the success was not immediately rewarding. At the time, he was still studying multiple university courses and living with his mother. Despite the song’s performance, he was not earning money from it.
“That song reached countries I never imagined. Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Colombia… it crossed borders in a way I did not expect. I was seeing the numbers grow, but I was not getting paid anything. It was strange because I knew the song was generating income. It was hard to explain to my family. Not that they did not believe me, but it was difficult for them to understand how my music actually worked.”
Everything changed when he signed with a new distributor in Mexico. “That was when I finally started receiving my money. And everything felt different after that. Now I have moved to Asunción. It feels like peace. I had finally taken the first real step.”
Willian’s last-minute opportunity on a massive stage
His recent performance before Ricky Martin came together in less than a week. The opportunity emerged through industry connections, including tour manager José and Argentine producer Taiel.
“We had a meeting that same week. They presented my name to the organisers, and everything depended on Ricky Martin’s team. We got the final approval two nights prior. And I was still in Santaní at that moment, taking a break.”
He travelled to Asunción on Thursday evening, with rehearsals taking place only hours before the show. “We built the whole performance overnight. It was all very fast. I did not feel nervous at all. It was just emotion and happiness. Even though I have been doing well on digital platforms, I had never performed live before. And definitely not for a crowd like Ricky Martin’s.”
Although he did not meet Ricky Martin personally, the experience fulfilled a key personal goal. “I had set myself the objective of performing live this year. I could not let this year pass without doing it.”
Learning from international production standards
The event also gave Willian insight into the scale of international productions. According to him, the main difference lies in speed and organisation.
“You can really notice the difference in the technical side. When it is an international production, everything moves much faster. In Paraguay, things tend to move a bit slower. It feels like everything is happening in a completely different rhythm.”
A new album
Looking forward, Willian is currently working on a new project titled Albumcito de Verano (Summer Mini Album). The album aims to expand his sound and introduce more upbeat tracks.
“I feel like I have many songs to listen to, but not many to dance to. So I want to create music that people can enjoy in more festive moments. The idea is to expand my catalogue. And reach new audiences while still connecting with the people who already listen to me.”
When asked about dream collaborations, he mentions Justin Bieber. “I am not really a fan of anyone in particular. But Justin Bieber’s life story is fascinating. What he has been through, his trajectory… it is incredible.”
Locally, he also hopes to work with Berta Rojas. “I would love to create something with guitar and voice where both have the same importance. That is not very common, and I would like to explore that.”
A defining moment in his career
For Willian, performing at such a large-scale event represents validation. “I see it as a sign that we are doing things right. My career is always about choosing the next step. What kind of artist do I want to become in the next ten years?”
The experience of performing before Ricky Martin feels like a reward for that effort. “It felt like a prize,” he concludes. “For everything we have been doing with the music.”
To know more about the singer, follow Willian on Spotify, or Willian on Instagram.
