Leiva (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leiva
Leiva at the 32nd Goya Awards in 2018
Background information
Birth name	José Miguel Conejo Torres
Born	(1980-04-28) 28 April 1980 (age 45) Madrid, Spain
Origin	Madrid, Spain
Genres	Rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	2001–present
Associated acts	Pereza Rubén Pozo

Leiva performing live with his band Pereza

José Miguel Conejo Torres (born in Madrid, Spain, on April 28, 1980), known as Leiva, is a famous Spanish singer, musician, and songwriter. From 2001 to 2010, he was a main member of the Spanish rock band Pereza alongside Rubén Pozo. After the band split up, Leiva started his own successful solo career, releasing many popular albums.

About Leiva's Life

Leiva grew up in a neighborhood called Alameda de Osuna in Madrid, Spain. He loved football a lot. People started calling him "Leiva" because he looked like Leivinha, a Brazilian football player who played for Atlético de Madrid at the time. This nickname later became his stage name.

Starting with Pereza

Leiva began his music journey in 1994 as a drummer in a band called Malahierba. In 1998, he formed a new band with Rubén Pozo and drummer Tuli. They wanted to play cover songs by the band Leño. This group eventually became the band Pereza.

Pereza released their first album in 2001. It didn't become very famous right away. From their second album, Algo para cantar (2003), Pereza became a duo with just Leiva and Rubén. In 2005, their album Animales made them very popular. They became one of Spain's most important pop rock bands. Pereza released three more albums: Los amigos de los animales (2006), Aproximaciones (2007), and Aviones (2009).

Leiva's Solo Career

In September 2011, the Pereza duo decided to go their separate ways. Leiva then started his career as a solo singer, songwriter, and musician.

His first solo album was Diciembre (2012). Leiva produced it himself. The album received great reviews and won awards, including the Rolling Stone Award for best album of the year. It was also nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards.

In January 2014, Leiva released his second solo album, Pólvora. He worked with Spanish musician Carlos Raya and sound engineer Joe Blaney on this album.

Both Diciembre and Pólvora were very successful. Leiva had several hit songs on the Spanish music charts. Songs like "Eme," "Afuera en la ciudad," and "Terriblemente Cruel" became very popular. "Terriblemente Cruel" even reached number 5 on the Spanish charts.

In 2016, Leiva released his album Monstruos. This album explores common fears that people might have, like "monsters" we imagine at bedtime.

Leiva's Music Albums and Songs

Albums with Pereza

• 2001: Pereza (This was the only album when they were a trio: Rubén, Leiva, and Tuli).
• 2002: Algo para cantar (As a duo of Rubén and Leiva).
• 2005: Animales (The song "Princesas" from this album became a big hit).
• 2006: Los amigos de los animales
• 2007: Aproximaciones
• 2009: Aviones (This album included romantic songs like "Llévame al baile").
• 2010: 10 años

Leiva's Solo Albums

Studio Albums

Live Albums

Leiva's Solo Songs (Singles)

• "Eme" (2012)
• "Terriblemente Cruel" (2013)
• "Afuera En La Ciudad" (2014)
• "Mirada Perdida" (2014)
• "Sixteen" (featuring Carlos Tarque and Fito Cabrales) (2015)
• "Sincericidio" (2016)
• "La Lluvia en los Zapatos" (2016)
• "Breaking Bad" (2017)
• "La Llamada" (2017)
• "No Te Preocupes por Mi" (2018)
• "Nuclear" (2019)
• "Lobos" (2019)
• "En El Espacio" (2019)
• "Mi Pequeño Chernóbil" (2020)
• "La Estación Eterna" (2020)

Awards and Nominations

Leiva has won and been nominated for many important music awards. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Leiva (cantante) para niños