History
Pablo Alborán, born Pablo Moreno de Alborán Ferrándiz on May 31, 1989, in Málaga, Spain, is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who has garnered multiple Latin Grammy nominations. He is the son of Spanish architect Salvador Moreno de Alborán Peralta and French Elena Ferrándiz Martínez, and is also the great-grandson of Francisco Moreno Fernández, 1st Marquess of Alborán. Alborán has two siblings, Casilda and Salvador.
Early Musical Development
From a very young age, Alborán displayed a strong aptitude for music, learning to play various instruments including piano, classical guitar, flamenco guitar, and acoustic guitar. He honed his vocal talents through professional singing lessons in Málaga and Madrid. By the age of 12, he had already composed his first songs, "Amor de Barrio" and "Desencuentro," which would later be featured on his debut album.
Discovering His Voice
Alborán's early performing experience began in Málaga, where he sang with a flamenco band in a local restaurant. It was during this period that he earned the nickname "El Blanco Moreno" (The White Moreno) due to his fair complexion and his family name. His talent caught the attention of producer Manuel Illán, with whom he recorded a demo. This demo included a cover of Diana Navarro's "Deja de Volverme Loca," impressing Navarro herself, who subsequently became his musical mentor.
Breakthrough and Debut Album
In preparation for his first album, Alborán wrote approximately 40 songs. While recording his self-titled debut album, Pablo Alborán, he shared some of his music on YouTube. These uploads garnered significant attention, even catching the eye of international artist Kelly Rowland, who expressed admiration for his voice. His YouTube videos have since accumulated millions of views.
The lead single, "Solamente Tú," was released in Spain in October 2010. The debut album followed in February 2011 and achieved immense success, topping the Spanish music charts for several consecutive weeks. The album was recognized as RTVE's Album of the Year for 2011 and became the best-selling album in Spain that year.
World Tours and Live Performances
Alborán embarked on his first world tour on May 27, 2011, commencing in Madrid. His performances have extended across numerous Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. Building on his initial success, he released his first live album, En Acústico, in November 2011. This album featured acoustic renditions of songs from his debut, alongside new material. The single "Perdóname," a duet with Portuguese singer Carminho, was released from En Acústico and reached number one on the Spanish singles chart. The album itself debuted at number one on the Spanish albums chart and topped the Portuguese Albums Chart in January 2012.
Accolades and Chart Success
On December 19, 2011, Alborán was honored with the Best New Act award at Los Premios 40 Principales. Both his studio album Pablo Alborán and his live album En Acústico were ranked among the top-selling albums in Spain for 2011, at first and sixth place, respectively. His singles "Solamente Tú" and "Perdóname" were also among the best-selling songs in Spain for 2011.
Discography
