Aitana

Known simply as Aitana, Spanish pop singer, songwriter, and author Aitana Ocaña Morales rose to fame in 2017 as the youngest finalist in the ninth season of the Spanish reality talent competition Operación Triunfo. It was a giant leap for this singer who, only three years before, was posting cover versions of popular songs to YouTube. She eventually followed by a cutting a batch of her self-penned tunes in a professional recording studio. Between 2017 and 2018, six of her singles charted and were compiled with her show performances as the album Sus Canciones. After signing with Universal, she issued Spoiler, her proper debut in 2019. Thanks to singles such as “Popcorn” and “TELEFONO,” the record topped the charts in Spain and Mexico. Upon returning from touring, she re-entered the studio immediately. The chart-topping 11 Razones appeared in December 2020. Aitana was born in Barcelona in 1999 and raised in the suburb of Sant Climent de Llobregat. She began singing in high school even as she pursued academic studies. She visited Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid to begin her bachelor studies after she had gained a YouTube following for her videos. At university, she auditioned for Operación Triunfo at the beginning of 2017; she was selected for its ninth season. Her debut single, cut and released during the early episodes of the show, was “No Puedo Vivir sin Ti,” a duet with Cepeda. It peaked at number two and was certified gold. She issued two more singles from the program including “Arde,” which peaked at 15 on the pop charts and “Lo Malo,” her smash duet with Romero, which was certified five times platinum, topped the charts and was one of the themes chosen for Spain’s International Women’s Day. Her compilation from the show, Sus Canciones, featured both tracks, peaked at number two, and was also certified gold. Her second number one was the single “Telephono” in July, released shortly after revealing the impeding publication of her autobiography La Tinta de Mis Ojos, which featured her own illustrations alongside the narrative. A remix of “Telephono” featured Venezuelan singer Lele Pons as a duet partner and reached number one. It was certified triple platinum — both were presented at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards — and served as lead single for her November 2018 EP Tráiler, which offered both versions as bookends. The EP was released two weeks after her book; it entered the Spanish charts at number one and was certified gold upon release. Aitana signed with Universal Music and released her proper album debut, Spoiler, in February 2019 in Spain. Thanks to advance hit singles such as “Telephono” and “Popcorn,” the album entered the Spanish pop charts at number one, and eventually topped the Mexican charts, too. She followed with tours across Spain and Latin America; upon return, she went straight back into the studio. She completed 11 Razones just before COVID-19 hit. Universal released the set in December 2020, and it topped the Spanish charts. ~ Thom Jurek