Kaleth Morales - Biography

Biography

Kaleth Morales was born in Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia to singers Miguel Morales and Nevis Troya. He was one of three brothers and two sisters. When Morales was thirteen years old, he made his first musical composition, a song called Solo he Quedado ("Alone I'm Left"). Although it was never recorded, it was the song that drove him into music, and soon afterwards his father gave him a guitar to aid his creativity.

During his teenage years, Kaleth wrote a number of successful singles that were covered by different groups. His song Novios Cruzados ("Crossed Lovers") was coverded by Los Diablitos, No Aguanta ("It Doesn't Hold") by Luifer Cuello, No Seré Tu Payaso ("I Won't Be Your Clown") by Los Gigantes, and Mi Reina Consentida ("My Spoiled Queen") by his father, among others.

In addition to working on music, Kaleth began studying medicine at the Sinú University, in Cartagena in 2000. Afterwards he lived in Cartagena as a single father, with his daughter Katrina Lieth Morales, born in 2001.

In 2003 he released his first single, Voy a Atraparte ("I'm Gonna Catch You") with the accordionist Manuel Julián. The single proved to be an instant hit because of its fresh, playful take on traditional vallenato music.

His most famous song, Vivo En El Limbo ("I Live in the Limbo"), started as a simple tune he performed at parties, but quickly became popular when it received an official release in 2004, also the year he prepared his first album for Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The album, La Hora de la Verdad ("The Hour of Truth"), was released in 2005. The album's singles, Vivo En El Limbo and La Hora de la Verdad, were sold around Ecuador and Venezuela, where they are still popular today. Kaleth became a recognisable figure in the media, and his performances, usually in small venues, were held dear amongst many.

According to Morales, he was inspired by, "Everyday stories, my friend's lives, my own experience and even my mother... from my father I have learnt that you have to value the backup from the media and be thankful to the people that backs me up. My style is based in romantic lyrics, but with fast and modern arrangements, it is what I call my own journey." His daughter was also a source of inspiration.

On September 7 of the same year, Morales and accordionist Juank Ricardo premiered their video of Vivo en el Limbo, and did a national tour of Colombia, ending in Bogotá's most important soccer stadium, El Campín, where Morales appeared with other vallenato artists in the Nuestra Tierra ("Our Land") concert. After the tour ended, Kaleth did an intership in his hometown Valledupar to finish his studies.