Early Life
Baby Edison circa 1982
Edison Dee Carvajal
was born on September 18, 1982,
in Medellín, Colombia
Until the age of 20, Edison lived in the city of Medellín. He grew up in a small brick house with his parents, two brothers, and various pets.
During the time Edison was growing up, education was not easily obtainable for everyone. Around 80% of kids were enrolled in schools and Edison was fortunate to be one of them. He attended secondary school at Liceo Marco Fidel Suarez, and it wasn't until after he graduated, in 1991, that education in Colombia became free and accessible for all.
Medellín, Colombia (Culture Trip)
Medellín, Colombia (CNN Travel)
Once known as the most dangerous city in the world, Medellín was very rough during Edison's childhood. The 1980s was the time when the Medellín Cartel, the global cocaine market run by Pablo Escobar, was at its peak. High rates of crime, gang violence, and unemployment engrossed the city, leading to an economic crisis. After the fall of the cartel, the damage that resulted forced Medellín and its residents into economic distress for decades to come. It was not until the late 1990s that the city began to turn itself around in what is known as the "Medellín Miracle". Edison says that this miracle was the only way that he is able to visit his family and introduce them to his son. While issues like poverty and petty crimes still remain in some parts of the city, Medellín is now considered one of the safest places in Colombia which is an incredible turnaround from the 80s.