Gipsy Kings
The Gipsy Kings are a renowned musical group originating from Arles and Montpellier in the south of France. Founded in 1979, the band consists of members with Catalan heritage, primarily Spanish Romani descent, whose families fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War. The group was initially known as Los Reyes, a name that translates to "The Kings" in Spanish, and was formed by José Reyes and his sons, including Nicolas Reyes, who serves as the lead vocalist, and his cousins, the Baliardo brothers, with Tonino Baliardo as the lead guitarist.
The Gipsy Kings are celebrated for their unique blend of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop, which they perform mostly in Spanish, with occasional mixes of Catalan, French, and southern French languages like Occitan. Their music brought the pop-oriented rumba flamenca to a global audience, and they are particularly known for their interpretations of English-language pop hits.
The band's breakthrough came with their self-titled third album released in 1987, featuring hits like "Djobi Djoba," "Bamboléo," and "Un Amor," which gained significant traction in the United States. Over the years, the Gipsy Kings have released multiple albums, with "Savor Flamenco" earning them a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2014. They have sold over 60 million albums worldwide, achieving gold and platinum status in various countries, and continue to perform internationally, maintaining their status as ambassadors of Gypsy culture.
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