Agustín Daniel Casanova Sommaruga (born 14 December 1993) is an Uruguayan singer, songwriter and actor. He rose to prominence as the vocalist of the cumbia-pop band Márama, which achieved international success and toured several Latin American countries and Spain.
The group's first album, Todo Comenzó Bailando, reached number one on the charts in Uruguay and Argentina, received the Graffiti Award for Best Latin Pop Music Album, and was certified double platinum by the Uruguayan Record Chamber.[1] In addition to music, he has dabbled in acting, being part of the cast of the telenovela Simona, for which he received a Martín Fierro nomination for Best Newcomer and one for Favorite Actor at the Nickelodeon Argentina Kids' Choice Awards. He served as a judge on the television talent shows Got Talent Uruguay (2020-2022), La Voz Uruguay (2021–present) and La Voz Kids Uruguay (2023).
Agustín Daniel Casanova Sommaruga was born on 14 December 1993 in the Cordón neighborhood of Montevideo, the third child and only son of Daniel Casanova and Lourdes Sommaruga, a nurse.[2] He attended Colegio Nuestra Señora de Fátima and later the Technological School of the Buceo, where he studied computer science.[3] During his youth he worked in a locksmith and on weekends as an entertainer at children's parties.[4]
In 2014, Casanova accepted the proposal to be the vocalist of a new band, created by the producer and singer Fer Vázquez.[5]Márama was formed by Ignacio Rodríguez (Percussion), Agustín Duarte (Drums), Lautaro Moreno (Keyboard), Alejandro Vázquez (Keyboard), Matías Besson (Bass), Martín López (Guitar) and Pablo Arnoletti.[6] The group's first singles, "Loquita",『Todo empezó bailando』and "No te vayas" quickly became hits in several Latin American countries.[7][8]
The third single "Noche loca" was a collaboration with Rombai, a group led by Vázquez and Camila Rajchman and also formed in 2014, with which Márama shared the rapid rise to fame, as well as aspects such as the age of the members and the music genre.[9] Both groups reached top 10 in charts in Uruguay and Argentina,[10] and toured together, performing in venues such as the Velódromo Municipal in Montevideo, the Teatro Gran Rex, and Luna ParkinBuenos Aires.[11][12]
In 2016, Casanova was announced as celebrity participant for Bailando 2016,[13] the eleventh season of Argentine dance competition Bailando por un Sueño.[14] Partnered by Josefina Oriozabala, he was the sixth dropout of the contest.[15] In June he participated in the documentary film Márama-Rombai: el viaje that revolved around the beginnings of both groups and a joint international tour.[16] A year later he participated in Bailando 2017, together with Florencia Vigna, but later resigned due to "personal reasons".[17] In addition, the group performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival.[18]
In late December 2017, it was announced that Márama would go on an indefinite hiatus, although they performed the concerts that were scheduled for the southern summer season of 2018.[19][20] Later, Casanova declared that the dissolution of the group occurred due to Fer Vázquez, its creator "had a fight with the manager".[21]
2018–2020: Acting, first solo singles and Got Talent Uruguay[edit]
In 2018, he debuted as an actor in the Argentine telenovelaSimona, playing Dante Funes Guerrico.[22] Later, Agustín made a millionaire demand to Fer Vázquez, singer and producer of Rombai and former producer of Márama.[23] In June he released his first solo single "Ando buscando" with Venezuelan singer Chyno Miranda, along with the music video.[24] A month later he released "Bailoteame" with Abraham Mateo and Mau y Ricky.[25]
Casanova with Latin pop duo MYA in 2019
In November 2018 he released his third single "Sin Regreso".[26] That year he also filmed a participation playing Ramiro Salazar in the second season of the television series Millennials, which would be broadcast the following year.[27][28] On 4 January 2019, he released his fourth song, "Bye bye" and in September his fifth, "Tiri Tiri".[29][30]
In December 2019, Uruguayan band Dame 5 released a joint single with Casanova called "Picoteo".[35] That year, he also played Aladdin in the musical Aladin, será genial at the Teatro Gran Rex.[36]
2021–present: Márama revival and La Voz Uruguay[edit]
In September 2021 Casanova announced the revival of Marama with the release of the single "Ya no llora", which debuted at the third position on the Monitor Latino Top 20 chart,[37] and sold out three shows at the Antel ArenainMontevideo.[38]
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