José Enrique Morente Carbonell, better known as “Kiki Morente” was born in 1989 in Granada, Spain. He is the son of famed flamenco singer Enrique Morente.
Kiki is a singer, guitarist, and composer. As a young boy, he used to sing next to his father and his sister, Estrella, in respected venues worldwide.
He made his solo debut at the Suma Flamenca Festival in Madrid in June 2012. Since then, he has been one of the most sought-after singers on the current flamenco scene, combining his performances with collaborations with leading figures of guitar and dance.
Kiki naturally follows in his father’s footsteps: in addition to immense vocal power, he has inherited the ability and intuition to update the genre without renouncing its origins, pure flamenco. He also imprints his own personality on all his performances and immediately captivates audiences thanks to his charisma and confidence. In 2017, Kiki released his first solo album Albayzín, dedicated to Albayzín, one of the most iconic neighborhoods of his hometown, Granada.
In 2019, Kiki Morente toured with David Carmona on guitar, Pedro Gabarre “Popo” on percussion and dancer Irene Rueda.
Moving forward, in 2021, he released his second album, El Cante, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy.
Kiki Morente presented his new work, Azabache (a good luck amulet made with jet stone) in 2024. It is a tribute to flamenco singing and roots, an intimate, pure, and personal work. It is also an invitation to Kiki’s home, in which his family also plays a central role. There are references to his father, Enrique, in the lyrics, composed or influenced by his mother Aurora. You’ll also find the vocals of his sisters Soleá and Estrella. Azabache was produced by Enrique Heredia “El Negri.”
When one thinks of the word “azabache,” several things may come to mind. For example: a color, a mineral, or a lucky and protective amulet, dark and shiny at the same time. The jet stone is an element of contrasts that has served as the title of this album, forged in the foundry of his home. The Azabache album is sensitive, profound, romantic, festive, and tremendously moving.
Kiki shared about the project: “Legend has it that jet protects you from evil; it’s an amulet, just as music is for me. I am a pilgrim, and my path is flamenco. The beauty and purity that resemble both makes me sing to the metaphor of a supposed love between flamenco and jet stone. Pure and historic jet continues to shine in the art and aesthetics of our culture today. That’s why I sing to jet, for its silver light, and ‘so that it may free me from all evils.’ This is about an encounter between flamenco and jet.“
Azabache was presented exclusively in 2024 at the Manuel de Falla Auditorium in Granada and at the Albéniz Theater in Madrid, achieving unprecedented success.
Discography:
Albayzín (Universal Music Spain, 2017)
El Cante (Universal Music Spain, 2021)
Azabache (Universal Music Spain, 2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.