# Melendi

Ramón Melendi Espina (born 21 January 1979), known as Melendi, is a Spanish singer-songwriter. His specialties are rock, flamenco, and rumba styles.

## Early life

He was born in Oviedo, Asturias. He went to class with Formula One race car driver Fernando Alonso, to whom he dedicated the song "Magic Alonso". He also did racing for a while but he realized very quickly that he was not made for racing nor studying, but he was good at football. He played in the lower ranks of Astur CF, at the time a reserve team for Real Oviedo. Afterwards, he worked as a waiter in several bars and spent all night out, living experiences that would later go on to make up the lyrics of his songs. In 2001, he joined a group called "El bosque de Sherwood", and soon after recorded a demo with only three songs, "Sin noticias de Holanda", "El informe del forense", and "Vuelvo a traficar".

## Career
### 2003–2006: Career beginnings

In February 2003, Melendi released his first solo disc called "Sin noticias de Holanda", with twelve songs. In December 2003, this disc was rereleased with two new songs, "Asturias" and "Moratalá". However, he reached true fame with the 2004 Vuelta a España chose his song "Con la luna llena" as its official theme. In May 2004, he started a small tour around Spain, selling 50,000 copies of his CD, making it a Gold Album.
In 2005, he released his second solo CD, "Que el cielo espere sentao", which has sold more than 200,000 copies. Later that same year, he rereleased the album with three new songs, "El Nano", "La dama y el vagabundo" and "Carlota", and a Live concert DVD recorded in Oviedo. He also became a father that year, and received the Onda award for Best Song of the Year for "Caminando por la vida". In November 2005, he received seven Platinum Discs for his two albums. "Sin noticias..." received four and "Que el cielo..." three.
In 2006, it was announced that he would be one of the main stars in the PSP game "Gangs of London". Melendi played Mr. Big, an evil gangster. He also wrote the song "Gangs of London" for the occasion, going on to film a video amidst police lights and sirens. The videogame was launched on 1 August of that year in the UK and on 6 September in Spain; EMI stepped in to distribute his CDs worldwide. He also wrote the song "Volveremos" (We Shall Return) for Real Oviedo. The singer is also involved in the production of the film "Vuelvo a traficar: The Film" (I'm Dealing Again). "Mientras no cueste trabajo" was released on 13 November 2006, in two formats: a normal CD with 12 songs, and a special edition, with 16 songs and a DVD with extras. The disc was rereleased on 29 October 2009, with four new songs, "Firmes", "El rey de la baraja", "La aceituna", and "Me gusta el fútbol".

### 2007–2010: Curiosa la cara de tu padre and Volvamos a empezar

In 2007, he received the "Best Tour" award from the "Premios de la Música" ceremony held in Cordoba. He also did an advertising campaign for Canal+ Spain entitled "Me gusta el fútbol" (I Like Football), for which he wrote a song of the same name. In 2007, he stood trial for provoking an incident while under the influence of alcohol on a flight from Madrid to Mexico City that required the pilot to return to Madrid two hours after takeoff. He was released after testifying. Soon after, he was given the "Left Foot" award from Spanish radio station Cadena 100 for this incident.
Currently, Melendi directs his Blue Donkey Music company, helping young singers start their careers. He's offered contracts to four groups, Algunos Hombres Buenos, Rasel, La Dama y Belo, and Los Susodichos. This last group was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Rock Vocals. Algunos Hombres Buenos left the label in 2008. On 9 August 2008, he presented his new single, "Un violinista en tu tejado" from his album Curiosa la cara de tu padre on Spanish radio station Los 40 Principales. The album was released on 16 September 2008. On 12 December, Los 40 Principales awarded him their award for this album.
On 17 December 2009, he released a new double CD, Aún más curiosa la cara de tu padre, including the original disc and another with nine new songs and links to exclusive content on his website.

### 2011–2015: Lágrimas desordenadas, Un alumno más and Directo a septiembre

In 2011, he recorded a cover of "True colours" by Cyndi Lauper in Catalan called "Ulls dolços", for the CD of TV3's telethon La Marató.
On 13 November 2012, he released a new album called Lágrimas desordenadas and went on a tour of Spain and Latin America later that same year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his first solo album.
His latest album, Un alumno más was released on 25 November 2014. Over the four months before the album was released, two songs from the album were released as lyrics videos, one was released as a single (Tocado y hundido), and one was released in an acoustic version.

### 2016–2018: Quítate las gafas and Ahora

In 2016, he issued Quítate las gafas, which featuring collaboration with ChocQuibTown. The first single from the album was "Desde Que Estamos Juntos"; released on 23 September 2016. The other songs released were "La Casa No Es Igual", "Destino o Casualidad" and "Yo Me Veo Contigo". On 2 June 2017, he released remix version of "Destino o Casualidad" with American duo Ha*Ash, along with the music video. On 8 December 2017, he released a second compilations albums Yo me veo contigo. The album includes a set of 11 songs, and would be made available on 4 CD and DVD.
Qúitate las gafas album:
* Flores de agua y plomo
* Destino o casualidad
* Hijos del mal
* Desde que estamos juntos
* La casa no es igual
* Mi mayor fortuna – Feat. Choc quib town
* Soy tu superhéroe
* Existen los ángeles
* Quítate las gafas
* Yo me veo contigo
Ahora album:
* Mírame
* El arrepentido (con Carlos Vives)
* Lo que nos merecemos
* Para que no se escapen tus mariposas
* Tiempos de re-evolución
* Déjala que baile (con Alejandro Sanz y Arkano)
* Mi código postal
* Negro sin ti
* Habitaciones de un mismo planeta
* Lo nuestro fue muy top
* Como el agua y el aceite

### 2019–present: 10:20:40

In October 2019, the singer joined as coach of the second Mexican season of La Voz Kids by Televisa. On 29 November 2019, he released a new album called 10:20:40, which featuring collaboration with Cali y El Dandee.

## Private life

In his early years, the fake news announcing his alleged death from an overdose or in the middle of shootings were also known. In 2005, Melendi became the father for the first time of a girl named Carlota.
In 2014 he met the Argentine actress and dancer Julia Nakamatsu, who later appeared in the singer's video "La promesa".
In 2023 Melendi revealed that his grandfather is originally from Camaguey, Cuba.

## Discography
### Albums
#### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak position SPA | Certifications |
| Sin noticias de Holanda | Released: 11 February 2004 Label: Carlito Records – El Diablo | 11 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Que el cielo espere sentao | Released: 25 April 2005 Label: Carlito Records – El Diablo | 1 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Mientras no cueste trabajo | Released: 13 November 2006 Label: Capitol | 2 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Curiosa la cara de tu padre | Released: 16 September 2008 Label: Carlito Records – EMI Music | 1 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum |
| Volvamos a empezar | Released: 2 November 2010 Label: Warner Dro | 2 | PROMUSICAE: Gold |
| Lágrimas desordenadas | Released: 13 November 2012 Label: Warner Dro | 2 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Un alumno más | Released: 25 November 2014 Label: Warner Dro | 1 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Directo a septiembre | Released: 4 December 2015 Label: Warner Dro | 4 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum |
| Quítate las gafas | Released: 11 November 2016 Label: Sony Music Spain | 1 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum |
| Ahora | Released: 9 March 2018 Label: Sony Music Spain | 1 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum |
| 10:20:40 | Released: 29 November 2019 Label: Sony Music Spain | 1 | PROMUSICAE: Gold |
| Likes y Cicatrices | Released: 2 September 2021 Label: Sony Music Spain | 1 | PROMUSICAE: Gold |

#### Live albums

| Title | Album details |
| Directo a Septiembre (Gira Un Alumno Más) | Released: 4 December 2014 Label: Sony Music Spain |

#### Compilations albums

| Title | Album details | Peak position SPA | Certifications |
| Caminando Por La Vida (Remastered) | Released: 22 Abril 2008 Label: Carlito Records – EMI Music | – | |
| Yo me veo contigo | Released: 8 December 2017 Label: Sony Music Spain | 6 | PROMUSICAE: Gold |
| 20 Años Sin Noticias | Released: 3 November 2023 Label: Sony Music Spain | 1 | |

### Extended plays

| Title | Album details |
| Aún más curiosa la cara de tu padre | Released: 17 March 2009 Label: Carlito Records – EMI Music |

### Singles

| Year | Title | Peak position SPA | Certifications | Album |
| 2003 | "Mi Rumbita Pa Tus Pies" | — | | Sin noticias de Holanda |
| 2003 | "Desde Mi Ventana" | — | | Sin noticias de Holanda |
| 2003 | "Sé Lo Que Hicisteis" | — | | Sin noticias de Holanda |
| 2004 | "Con La Luna Llena" | — | | Sin noticias de Holanda |
| 2004 | "Hablando En Plata" | — | | Sin noticias de Holanda |
| 2005 | "Caminando Por La Vida" | — | | Que el cielo espere sentao |
| 2005 | "Con Sólo Una Sonrisa" | — | | Que el cielo espere sentao |
| 2006 | "Novia A La Fuga" | — | | Que el cielo espere sentao |
| 2006 | "Kisiera Yo Saber" | 17 | | Mientras no cueste trabajo |
| 2007 | "Calle La Pantomima" | — | | Mientras no cueste trabajo |
| 2007 | "Por Amarte Tanto" | — | | Mientras no cueste trabajo |
| 2008 | "Un Violinista En Tu Tejado" | 6 | PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum (Ringtone) | Curiosa la cara de tu padre |
| 2009 | "Piratas Del Bar Caribe" | 33 | | Curiosa la cara de tu padre |
| 2009 | "Estoy Enfermo" (with Pignoise) | 12 | PROMUSICAE: Gold | Curiosa la cara de tu padre |
| 2010 | "Como Una Vela" | 13 | | Aún Más Curiosa La Cara De Tu Padre |
| 2010 | "Barbie de Extrarradio" | 10 | PROMUSICAE: Gold | Volvamos A Empezar |
| 2011 | "Canción de Amor Caducada" | 10 | | Volvamos A Empezar |
| 2011 | "Perdóname ángel" | 22 | | Volvamos A Empezar |
| 2012 | "Cuestión De Príoridades Por El Cuerno De África" (with Carlos Baute) | 36 | | Charity Single |
| 2012 | "Lágrimas Desordenadas" | 3 | PROMUSICAE: Gold | Lágrimas Desordenadas |
| 2012 | "Cheque Al Portamor" | 36 | | Lágrimas Desordenadas |
| 2013 | "Tu Jardín Con Enanitos" | 10 | | Lágrimas Desordenadas |
| 2013 | "Cheque Al Portamor" | 36 | | Lágrimas Desordenadas |
| 2014 | "Tocado Y Hundido" | 4 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum | Un Alumno Más |
| 2015 | "Más Allá De Nuestros Recuerdos" | 19 | | Un Alumno Más |
| 2015 | "La Promesa" | 21 | | Un Alumno Más |
| 2016 | "Desde Que Estamos Juntos" | 5 | | Quítate Las Gafas |
| 2016 | "Soy Tu Superhéroe" | 28 | | Quítate Las Gafas |
| 2017 | "La Casa No Es Igual" | 41 | | Quítate Las Gafas |
| 2017 | "Destino o Casualidad" (solo o with Ha*Ash) | 56 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum AMPROFON: Platinum RIAA: Gold (Latin) | Quítate Las Gafas |
| 2018 | "El Arrepentido" (with Carlos Vives) | 33 | PROMUSICAE: Gold | Ahora |
| 2018 | "Déjala Que Baile" (with Alejandro Sanz and Arkano) | 15 | PROMUSICAE: Platinum | Ahora |
| 2018 | "Mírame (Acústico)" | — | | Ahora |
| 2018 | "Aves de Paso" | — | | Ahora |
| 2018 | "Besos a la Lona" | 88 | | Ahora |
| 2019 | "El cielo nunca cambiará" | — | | Cómo entrenar a tu dragón 3 soundtrack |
| 2019 | "Dímelo" (with Andy Clay) | — | | Non-album singles |
| 2019 | "Por encima de la bruma" | 83 | | Non-album singles |
| 2019 | "El Ciego" (with Cali y El Dandee) | — | | 10:20:40 |
| 2019 | "Casi" | — | | 10:20:40 |
| 2019 | "Tan Tonto Cómo Tú" | — | | 10:20:40 |
| 2020 | "La Chica Perfecta" | — | | 10:20:40 |
| 2021 | "La Boca Junta" | 79 | | Likes y Cicatrices |
| 2022 | "Si ella supiera" (with India Martínez) | 53 | | Non-album singles |
| 2023 | "Sé Lo Que Hicisteis" (with Natos y Waor) | 48 | | 20 Años Sin Noticias |

## Collaborations

* José Avilés Bas: "Volveremos Real Oviedo" (2013)
* Los Chunguitos: "Con la luna llena" (2004).
* Pablo Moro: "María" (2005).
* Algunos Hombres Buenos: "Salta" (2006).
* Seguridad Social: "Quiero tener tu presencia" (live, unedited).
* Belo: "Al gallo que me cante" (live, unedited).
* Un tributo a Brasil: "Adiós tristeza".
* Rasel "Mil razas" (2007).
* Guaraná: "De lao a lao" (2008).
* Pignoise: "Estoy enfermo" (2009).
* Fernando Tejero: "So payaso" (2010).
* Porretas: "Dos pulgas en un perro" (2011).
* Juanes: "Me enamora" (2011; live, unedited).
* Mojinos Escozíos y Ariel Rot: "Al carajo" (2011).
* Pablo Motos: "Marco" (2011).
* Malú: El apagón (2011) (live, unedited).
* Leonel García: "Para empezar" (2011; live, unedited).
* Pablo Alborán, Dani Martín, Malú, Carlos Baute, Rasel y La Dama: "Cuestión de prioridades por el cuerno de África" (2012).
* Malú: "Amigo" (2012).
* Lolita Flores: "Arriba los corazones", by Antonio Flores (live, unedited).
* Malú: "Con solo una sonrisa" (live, unedited).
* La Dama: "Corazón de peón" (live, unedited).
* Rasel: "Por qué" (2013).
* La Dama: "Estrella fugaz" (2014).
* Margarett: "Por ti" (2014).
* Laura Pausini: "Entre tú y mil mares" (2014).
* Antonio Orozco, Manuel Carrasco, Malú, Alejandro Sanz: "Mi Héroe" (2016)
* Ha*Ash: "Destino o Casualidad" (2017)
* Carlos Vives: "El Arrepentido" (2018)
* Beret :"Desde Cero" (2019)