Antonio Manuel Álvarez Vélezpopularly known as Pitingo, was born on November 6, 1980 in Ayamonte (Huelva). From a young age, he felt drawn to the world of flamenco, a love fueled by his origins and the influence of his family. The choice of his stage name is not a coincidence. “Pitingo” means “vain” in Caló, the language of the gypsy community.. And his gypsy identity constitutes an essential part of his being, both personally and artistically.
Son of a gypsy mother and a peasant father, the singer grew up in a very particular environment: he lived in a barracks, since his father was a civil guard. This combination of gypsy culture and military discipline forged its character and values. Additionally, he has always been a constant in his family. It belongs to the famous Valencia and Carpio sagas, lineages with a rich singing tradition. From a young age, he began exploring flamenco during family gatherings, which They quickly noticed his innate talent.
What did you do before you were famous?
Before devoting himself fully to music, Pitingo moved to Madrid to seek opportunities and earn a living. He worked as a suitcase picker at Barajas airport, but his destiny would change when he began dating the flamenco tablaos of the capital. It was on these stages that he began to build his reputation as a singer, sharing spaces with figures such as Enrique Morente, Carmen Linares and Pepe Habichuela. This experience in Madrid gave him the foundation for his career, as well as the confidence to explore his own style.
He is recognized for his unique style, a cross between flamenco and soul. With albums like ‘Bean Pitingo’ And ‘Soulería’has become a reference in Spain and abroad, propelling his music onto international stages. This merger, which some consider risky, was his personal brand and the key to his success. As he explained, his love for soul This came to me from listening to African-American music as a child.
Who is Pitingo in love with?
On a personal level, Pitingo also has a love story that has garnered attention. His wife, Verónica Fernández, has been his partner since the age of 16. He met her when he was just 16 and she was 15 and after 12 years of dating, they decided to get married in 2008 during a civil ceremony. He was always clear about the special nature of their relationship: “The first day I saw her, I knew she would be my wife.”
The love story between Pitingo and Verónica has a touch of tradition and modernity. From the start, friends and acquaintances joked that Pitingo was “old fashioned” to bet on a relationship so young. However, the singer never doubted his love. Verónica had a crucial influence in his professional life, since she encouraged him to leave his job at the airport to devote himself to flamenco. Even though they had a difficult time at first, their decision was the right one.
The singer has a son named Manuel
In 2012 Pitingo and his wife welcomed their son Manuel, who the singer describes as his “life engine”. Although the child expressed his desire to become a footballer, Pitingo has shared on several occasions that, although he respects this dream, he would prefer that Manuel make a professional career away from the artistic world, aware of the sacrifice of this life. “I would like him to be trained, to have a title, something I didn’t have”he admitted.
Manuel was also the protagonist of an extremely difficult episode for the family. He became seriously ill when he was little and doctors initially suspected he might have cancer. It was a terrifying stage, during which the child was admitted to oncology and doctors prepared the parents for a difficult diagnosis. Ultimately, the little boy was diagnosed with severe mononucleosiswhose signs were similar to those of leukemia. “It was the worst month of my life,” confessed the artist.
Pitingo, a life in cinema
Pitingo’s career has given him the opportunity to experience unique experiences, such as his performance at the White House against former President Barack Obama. During his presentation, he was confronted with a peculiar situation: the former president, trying to keep up, began clapping at a different pace. In a friendly tone, Pitingo asked him to stop clapping so as not to lose the rhythm and Obama, smiling, complied with the request.
Pitingo and his family reside in Madrid, although he still maintains his Andalusian roots. He is a man who values family life and has admitted on several occasions that he feels lost when he is alone at home. During his stay at “Celebrity MasterChef”spoke with great emotion about the fundamental role of his wife: “Every time I fall, she picks me up.” Thanks to this competition FTEthe artist has come closer to the general public like never before.
