Kaleth Morales

Kaleth Miguel Morales Troya (9 June 1984 – 24 August 2005) was a Colombian vallenato singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of the "Nueva Ola" ("New Wave") movement in Vallenato, having released singles such as Vivo en el Limbo.

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, the same 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.

On 7 September 2004, Morales and accordionist Juank Ricardo premiered their video of "Vivo en el Limbo", and did a national tour of Colombia, ending in El Campín, Bogotá's soccer stadium, 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.

On 24 August 2005, Kaleth Morales and his brother, Keiner, were driving from Cartagena to Valledupar; between Plato and Nueva Granada, Magdalena they lost control of the truck due to the heavy rain. Kaleth suffered serious trauma whilst his brother suffered less serious injuries. They were sent to Bocagrande Hospital in Cartagena. Doctors confirmed Morales' death on the morning of 24 August due to a marked brain edema, with a deep parietal contusion. According to the medical staff, Kaleth entered the hospital showing little signs of stabilisation, already in an unresponsive coma, and extreme hypothermia. The next day, more than 10,000 people walked beside his body to Valledupar, where he was buried in the Ecce Homo Gardens, among his family, friends, and fans.

Morales's legacy includes the best-selling album, "Único" ("Unique"), with his friend Juan Ricardo, released in November 2005, shortly after his death. Único' s tracks were mostly composed and written by Kaleth. His first two albums are still popular in Ecuador. "Vivo en el Limbo", similarly, has been subject to a number of covers and remixes by various groups such as Latin Dreams, months before his death, and Salserín, in an homage. Sony BMG released a compilation album on June 26, 2006, Kaleth Morales en Guitarra ("Kaleth Morales on Guitar"), with previously unreleased tracks, such as "Lo Mejor Para Los Dos (Todo de Cabeza)" ("The Best For Us Both (Everything Upside down)"), which became a hit.