Lia Kali

Last updated
Lia Kali
Lia Kali.jpg
Background information
Birth nameJulia Isern
Born (1997-07-25) July 25, 1997 (age 28)
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
OriginBarcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Website liakali.com

Julia Isern (born 25 July 1997), known professionally as Lia Kali, is a Spanish singer and songwriter from Barcelona. She is known for her genre-blending musical style that combines soul, reggae, jazz, R&B, and Latin pop. [1] Lia Kali gained national recognition through her participation in Spanish talent shows and has since become known for her authentic approach to music and openness about mental health challenges. [2] [3]

Contents

Early life and education

She grew up in an artistic family environment that nurtured her passion for music from an early age. Her father is a drummer and her mother is a writer, which fostered her creativity from childhood. [4]

At the age of 16, she began exploring Barcelona's music scene by cycling to jam sessions throughout the city, connecting with musicians from the local scene and exploring genres such as reggae, jazz, soul, and rap. Her vocal ability and charisma led her to participate in projects including a tribute to Amy Winehouse called "The Amy's Soul", which helped establish her presence on local stages. [5]

Career

Early musical development (2013–2020)

Lia Kali's music combines genres such as soul, reggae, and rap, reflecting her diverse musical influences and Barcelona's multicultural music scene. [6]

Television appearances and breakthrough (2017–2021)

In 2017, Lia Kali auditioned for the Spanish talent show Operación Triunfo , reaching the final phase of the casting process. Although she was not selected for the main competition, this experience marked an important step in her musical development. [7]

In 2021, she participated in the television program La Voz (the Spanish version of The Voice ), where her talent attracted the attention of a broader audience and allowed her to gain recognition in the Spanish music industry. [8]

"Contra todo pronóstico" and recognition (2023–2024)

In 2023, Lia Kali released her debut album Contra todo pronóstico (Against All Odds), a work that addressed personal and emotional experiences through sincere and profound lyrics. The album featured collaborations with producers such as Toni Anzis and Acción Sánchez, and artists including Nanpa Básico and SFDK. The album explored themes of overcoming adversity, mental health, and personal empowerment. [9]

She has collaborated with prominent artists in the Spanish music scene, including Rels B, SFDK, and Argentine rapper Duki, with whom she worked on a song that fused styles and expanded her international reach. [10]

Lia Kali has been invited to prominent Spanish television programs such as El Hormiguero on Antena 3 and La Revuelta on TVE, where she showcased her charisma and discussed her career trajectory, establishing herself as a notable figure both within and outside the musical sphere. [11]

In 2024, she performed at renowned festivals such as Cruïlla and Primavera Sound, consolidating her career as one of the most promising artists of her generation. [12]

"Kaelis" and international expansion (2025–present)

On 21 March 2025, Lia Kali released her second studio album titled Kaelis, consisting of 17 songs and 36 minutes of music. The album marked her artistic evolution from personal catharsis to what she described as "a gift for the whole world". [13]

Following the album's release, she embarked on a tour across Spain, including performances at iconic venues such as the WiZink Center in Madrid. [14] In May 2025, she collaborated with Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García on the single "Huir" (Flee), a collaboration that expanded her reach in the Latin American market. [15]

In 2025, she received the Antonio Banderas Award for Performing Arts from ESAEM, recognizing her talent and profound artistic connection. [16]

Personal life

Lia Kali has been open about her personal challenges, including her admission to a psychiatric center and mental health struggles, experiences that have profoundly influenced her music and strengthened her connection with the public. [17] Her transparency about these experiences has become an integral part of her artistic identity and has resonated with fans who appreciate her authenticity. [18]

Discography

Studio albums

Notable collaborations

Awards and recognition

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2025Antonio Banderas Award for Performing Arts (ESAEM)Career RecognitionWon

References

  1. ↑ Villanueva, Carlos (18 March 2025). "Quién es Lia Kali, la rapera que ha cantado en La Revuelta de Broncano" [Who is Lia Kali, the rapper who performed on Broncano's La Revuelta?]. RTVE (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Entrevista a Lia Kali: "Lloré con Duki haciendo nuestro tema"" [Interview with Lia Kali: "I cried with Duki while making our song"]. Los 40 (in Spanish). 3 April 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  3. ↑ Beraldi, Camila (28 March 2025). "Lia Kali: "Ya no juego con la muerte"" [Lia Kali: "I no longer play with death"]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  4. ↑ Bellver, Elena (6 May 2024). "Quién es Lía Kali, cantante, rapera e invitada de 'El Hormiguero'" [Who is Lía Kali, singer, rapper and guest on 'El Hormiguero']. ESdiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "LIA KALI". liakali.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "¿Quién es Lia Kali, la cantante de 26 años que estuvo ingresada en un psiquiátrico?" [Who is Lia Kali, the 26-year-old singer who was admitted to a psychiatric hospital?]. Europa FM (in Spanish). 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "El dardo envenado de Miriam Rodríguez al casting de OT que nadie se esperaba" [Miriam Rodríguez's poisoned dart at the OT casting that no one expected]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Quién es Lia Kali: su ingreso en un centro psiquiátrico y su cambio físico desde 'La Voz'" [Who is Lia Kali: her admission to a psychiatric center and her physical change since 'La Voz']. Diario ABC (in Spanish). 6 May 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  9. ↑ "Lia Kali desnuda su historia y su voz en 'Contra todo pronóstico'" [Lia Kali bares her story and her voice in 'Against All Odds']. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 5 April 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  10. ↑ joan (30 October 2024). "Duki y Lia Kali, juntos en el adelanto "Constelación"" [Duki and Lia Kali, together in the preview "Constelación"]. MondoSonoro (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  11. ↑ Carías, Paco Martín-Vázquez (6 May 2024). ""Vi cómo torturaban a gente": Lia Kali enmudece en 'El hormiguero' con su fatídica experiencia" ["I saw how they tortured people": Lia Kali falls silent on 'El hormiguero' with her fateful experience]. elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. ↑ joan (23 November 2024). "Lia Kali despedirá en Argentina su gira "Contra Todo Pronóstico"" [Lia Kali will bid farewell to her "Against All Odds" tour in Argentina]. MondoSonoro (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  13. ↑ Trillo, Raquel (23 February 2025). "Lia Kali anuncia la fecha de lanzamiento de su segundo disco, 'Kaelis'" [Lia Kali announces the release date of her second album, ‘Kaelis’]. Los 40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Lia Kali presenta su disco 'Kaelis' tras agotar las entradas para su primer Wizink: "Son tres formas de tocar el cielo"" [Lia Kali presents her album *Kaelis* after selling out tickets for her first Wizink: "There are three ways to touch the sky"]. Cuatro (in Spanish). 28 March 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "Kany García y Lia Kali se unen en "Huir"" [Kany García and Lia Kali unite in "Huir"]. Sony Music España (in Spanish). 30 May 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  16. ↑ "ESAEM ACTÚA CON LIA KALI EN EL MOVISTAR ARENA DE ANTE" [ESAEM PERFORMS WITH LIA KALI AT THE MOVISTAR ARENA]. ESAEM (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  17. ↑ Gil, Lorena (7 May 2024). "Lia Kali, la rapera que visibiliza en sus letras la salud mental de los adolescentes" [Lia Kali, the rapper who raises awareness of teenagers' mental health in her lyrics]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  18. ↑ Cortés, Marina Ortiz (6 May 2024). "Lia Kali, la cantante que destapa en sus letras los abusos en un centro de salud mental para adolescentes" [Lia Kali, the singer who reveals in her lyrics the abuse in a mental health center for adolescents]. El Independiente (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
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