Draft:Norman Morales

Norman Morales (born May 20, 2004) is an American musical artist known for R&B and Hip-Hop music. He has released three albums and five singles, and his music is available on all major streaming platforms. Norman is recognized for multiple Billboard hits, the viral TikTok song "Superstar," and the popular song "Getaway." He also has an official music video with VEVO.

Norman Morales was born in California but moved to Westfield, Indiana at the age of 4. Shortly thereafter, he relocated to Carmel, Indiana, where he grew up and attended Carmel High School.

From a young age, Morales was passionate about music and dance, though his family did not fully support his decision to pursue music. They enjoyed his dancing until he was 12, but he continued to develop his skills independently. At school, Morales loved being on stage and participated in choir during elementary and middle school. He initially quit choir but rejoined in 10th grade, where he also took guitar and digital music classes to further his knowledge. Despite being offered a performance opportunity by the school principal, he declined the offer.

Growing up in a less affluent area of Carmel, where he saw other kids living in wealthy homes, motivated Morales to work harder toward his dreams. He was inspired by local performances and dancing, which fueled his desire to practice more. His choir teacher played a crucial role in helping him find his voice, and his 2nd-grade teacher consistently encouraged him, even when he considered quitting, recognizing his creativity and outgoing nature.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Morales began posting videos on social media, which helped him gain recognition. In 2021, at the age of 16, he released his first song, marking the start of his professional music career.

Early Career

Norman Morales released his debut album *Heart Break Avenue* (HBA) in 2021, featuring 35 songs, with a deluxe edition adding another 35 tracks. He started his music career independently, collaborating with his best friends and releasing songs for fun during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite receiving mixed reviews initially, Morales persisted in his music journey.

In September 2021, Morales released a single that received positive feedback, including compliments from teachers and classmates, which encouraged him to continue. He subsequently released two albums, *Eternity 1* and *Eternity 2*, in 2022, totaling over 45 tracks. These albums garnered more positive reviews and achieved chart success on Apple Music in countries such as Senegal, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Notable tracks include "Love Me," "IKEA," "Na-na," and the viral TikTok song "Superstar."

Buoyed by this success, Morales released the highly anticipated album *Aloha* in 2023, featuring 18 tracks and incorporating a mix of pop, EDM, AfroBeats, and indie pop. Popular songs from the album include "Westside," "Romance," and "Getaway." Morales traveled to Hawaii for the album and recorded an official music video with VEVO. He has hinted at a deluxe edition of *Aloha* and another music video, though release dates have not yet been announced.

Albums

- **Heart Break Avenue (HBA)** (2021): R&B album with 35 songs and mixed reviews. - **Eternity 1 & 2** (2022): R&B & Hip-Hop albums with over 45 songs, featuring popular tracks like "Love Me," "IKEA," "Superstar," and "Na-na." Achieved chart success on Apple Music in several countries. - **Aloha** (2023): Pop, EDM, AfroBeats, and Indie Pop album with 18 songs, featuring popular tracks like "Westside," "Romance," and "Getaway." Included an official music video with VEVO.

Singles

- **Can't Lose You** (2021): Pop song that inspired Morales to continue his music career, received positive reviews. - **Hella Cute** (2022): Catchy pop song with positive reviews. - **Overdue** (2022): Upbeat pop song with positive reviews. - **That's My Baby** (2023): Pop and electronic song, noted for its catchy and upbeat nature, received positive reviews. - **Playa Sin Ti** (2024): Spanish Latin song, upbeat and danceable, received incredible reviews.

Notable Works

- **"Getaway"**: Notable for its success on its release day and an extensive six-month production for its music video, which faced challenges including a near-arrest. The video and song received positive reviews. - **"Playa Sin Ti"**: Marked a significant increase in recognition and positive reviews for Morales, highlighting his success in the Latin music scene.

Achievements and Recognition

Norman Morales has achieved several significant milestones in his music career. His official YouTube channel has garnered over 100,000 views, and his songs have gained viral popularity on TikTok. On Spotify, where Morales is verified with a blue check mark, his tracks have accumulated over 100,000 streams, and his music has been Shazamed more than 100,000 times."

Morales has made a notable impact on international charts, with his music reaching top positions in Spain, Italy, Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, India, Russia, Oman, France, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. These accomplishments underscore his growing global presence and the widespread appeal of his music.

Additionally, Morales' name appears prominently in Google search results, reflecting his increasing visibility and recognition in the music industry. His dedication to his craft is evident through his innovative music and creative music videos, further cementing his status as a prominent and emerging artist in the music world.

Personal Life

From a young age, Norman Morales was deeply influenced by artists like Usher, Michael Jackson, and Chris Brown. He admired Usher for his smooth voice and ability to both sing and dance, Michael Jackson for his handling of fame and distinctive dance style, and Chris Brown for his dynamic dance and singing performances. These influences shaped Morales’ approach to his own music and performance.

At just four years old, Morales practiced and emulated these artists' dance moves in front of the TV, developing his skills in footwork and performance. While he initially aspired to rap like Eminem, he eventually focused on singing and dancing as he grew older.

Morales faced significant challenges in his early career, particularly in overcoming self-doubt and the anxiety of releasing his music to the public. The hardest part was hitting the upload button and waiting for the response, knowing that his work could be either a hit or a miss. Over time, he learned that not everyone will appreciate his craft, but finding the right audience is key. He realized that every setback can be a blessing and that perseverance is crucial.

A memorable experience in his early career was performing on a kitchen counter at a party, where his heartfelt performance received enthusiastic cheers from the audience. This positive feedback motivated him to continue pursuing music. Another significant moment was showing a girl his dance skills in private, which led her to persuade him to perform at a homecoming event. These experiences taught Morales the value of supportive relationships and the importance of keeping people who believe in him close.

Through these early experiences, Morales learned that setbacks are part of the journey, and staying true to oneself while finding the right audience is essential for growth.