Karol G | |
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.jpg) Karol G at the2023 Latin Grammys | |
| Born | Carolina Giraldo Navarro (1991-02-14)February 14, 1991 (age 34) Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia |
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| Years active | 2006–present |
| Works | |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
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Partner | Feid (2023–present) |
Musical artist | |
| Website | karolgmusic |
Carolina Giraldo Navarro (born February 14, 1991), known professionally asKarol G, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Considered as one of the most influentialreggaeton andurban pop artists,[2][3] she has received awards including aGrammy, eightLatin Grammy Awards and fiveBillboard Music Awards. She was recognized as Woman of the Year and with a Rulebreaker Award atBillboard Women in Music, with theSpirit of Hope Award at theBillboard Latin Music Awards, and has elevenGuinness World Records.
Born and raised inMedellín,Colombia, Giraldo launched her career as a teenager, appearing on the Colombian spinoff ofThe X Factor. She moved to New York in 2014 to learn more about the music industry and signed withUniversal Music Latino. In late 2018, her duet "Secreto" became a hit in Latin America, as she and Puerto Rican artistAnuel AA publicly confirmed their relationship via the music video.
In July 2019, she released "China" in collaboration with Anuel AA,Daddy Yankee,Ozuna, andJ Balvin, which became her first music video with over one billion views onYouTube. In May 2019, she released the albumOcean, which served as a stylistic departure fromUnstoppable, incorporating a more relaxed and less "pop" sound while incorporating reggaetón influences. Popular singles from the album include the title track (later released as a remix withJessie Reyez). Later that year, her song "Tusa" charted internationally and was certified 28× Latin platinum by theRIAA. In 2020, Giraldo received four nominations at theLatin Grammy Awards. Throughout theCOVID-19 pandemic, and into early 2021, she would release successful songs, including some of her most famous ("Ay, Dios Mío!", "Bichota" and "Location"), in the lead-up to her third album,KG0516, which was released in spring of that year, topping the U.S. Latin albums chart.
Giraldo released her fourth album,Mañana Será Bonito, in the spring of 2023; the record was immediately recognized as the first-ever Spanish-language album by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the U.S.Billboard 200.[4] She achieved her highest-charting single on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100 with the song "TQG", a collaboration with fellow Colombian singer-songwriterShakira, reaching the No. 7 position. In early 2024, she received her first Grammy Award, at the66th annual ceremony, for the recently createdMúsica Urbana Album category.
Carolina Giraldo Navarro was born on 14 February 1991 inMedellín, the youngest of three children.[5] At age 14, she appeared onEl Factor X.[5] Giraldo posted covers of songs byAlicia Keys andLauryn Hill onYouTube, in hopes of being discovered likeJustin Bieber.[6] Ultimately, she obtained her first record contract with Flamingo Records (Colombia) and Diamond Music (Puerto Rico) and chose "Karol G" as her artistic name. In her first year she was invited by Kio Dj to open forDon Omar's concerts in the city of Cartagena,[7] She performed withJ Balvin at aquinceañera party soon after.[5]
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In the following years, Giraldo recorded and released songs sporadically, including "En la Playa" (On the Beach) in 2007, "Por Ti" (For You) in 2008, "Dime Que Sí" (Tell Me Yes) in 2009 and "Mil Maneras" (A Thousand Ways) in 2010.[8] She studied music at theUniversity of Antioquia and sang backup for other artists during her studies, includingReykon, recording the songs "Tu Juguete" (Your Toy) in 2011 and "301" in 2012.[5] Shortly after, she traveled to Miami to meet withUniversal Records, who declined to sign her at the time, insinuating that a woman would not be successful in the reggaetón genre.[9]
In response to Universal Music's rejection, Giraldo and her father decided to promote her career independently, touring domestically across Colombia at colleges, clubs, and festivals. She recalled, "I always said that if we'd made money per miles, we'd be millionaires. It was a long process... and because of it, I can truly enjoy what's happening now."[9] The increased publicity through these tours led to her 2013 collaboration withNicky Jam on the song "Amor de Dos" (The Love of Two).[8]
However, finding that her music career was not progressing fast enough in South America, a disillusioned Giraldo moved to New York in 2014 to work and stay with her aunt. Feeling somewhat lost over her lack of success at the time, she later said that when taking theNYC Subway each day, to and from work, she would see various advertisements offering educational courses and certifications for the music business. Taking this as a sign, Giraldo eventually decided to enroll in music business administration classes. The decision helped reinvigorate her passion for music, motivating her to continue furthering her career.[8] Her 2014dancehall song "Ricos Besos" (Sweet Kisses) became a hit in Colombia.[5] In 2016, she signed with Universal Music Latino.[5] During that year, she released the singles "Casi Nada" (Almost Nothing), "Hello" with then-rising starOzuna, and "Muñeco de Lego" (Lego Doll) as lead-ups to her album release.In November 2024, Karol G released the single "+57," a collaboration featuring fellow Colombian artistsFeid,J Balvin,Maluma,Ryan Castro,Blessd, and producerOvy on the Drums. The title references Colombia's international dialing code. The track achieved significant chart success, reaching number one on Billboard's Latin Airplay chart and number four on theHot Latin Songs chart.[10]
In January 2017, Karol G joined the reality talent showPequeños Gigantes USA (Little Giants) as a judge, offering advice to children 6–11 years of age who performed on the show.[11] In February, she released the breakup song "A Ella" (To Her), a song inspired by real-life events. In May, her collaboration with Puerto Rican trap artistBad Bunny "Ahora Me Llama" (Now He Calls Me) became regarded as her breakthrough hit.[9][8][5] The video garnered more than one billion views on YouTube and reached #10 on theBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[12][13] The song was described by Marty Preciado ofNPR as a "bass-heavy, unapologetic trap anthem to the power of femininity, soiled in hi-hats and heavy sub-bass [that] challenges hegemonic masculinity, singing about respect, love and sex-positive decisions."[14] According to Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo, ofRolling Stone, "it was then that Giraldo joined the increasingly-global pop urbano wave and established herself as one of its most standout acts".[5] "Ahora Me Llama" was listed on "Alt. Latino's Favorites: The Songs of 2017" as one of the best Latin songs of 2017.[14]
"Ahora Me Llama" served as the main single (including a remix featuringQuavo fromMigos) for her debut studio album,Unstoppable; the record also contained the three aforementioned singles, and was released in October 2017, debuting at #2 on theBillboard Top Latin Albums chart.[15] Thom Jurek ofAllMusic calledUnstoppable "the first solid entry by a woman in the Latin trap movement".[16] In March 2018, the singer released the jungle-inspired music video for her single "Pineapple".[17] In that same month, she was announced as a nominee for theBillboard Latin Music Awards' Top Female Artist of the Year.[17]
On 6 April 2018, Karol G collaborated with Argentine singer and songwriterTini on the song "Princesa", from Tini's second studio albumQuiero Volver.[18][19][20]
In May 2018, she released "Mi Cama" (My Bed), which became a commercial success. This was followed by "Culpables" (Guilty Ones), featuring Puerto Rican rapper (and eventual partner)Anuel AA.[8] "Culpables" peaked at #8 on theBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart, and a remix of "Mi Cama", featuring her early collaboratorsJ Balvin andNicky Jam, peaked at #6 on the same chart.[12]
In January 2019, the singer released the single "Secreto" (Secret) with Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA; the song's accompanying music video confirmed the rumored romantic relationship between the two artists.[21] The single reached #68 on theBillboard Hot 100 and #5 on the US Hot Latin Songs charts.[22][23] The song was inspired by the period of time in which Anuel AA and Karol G were dating but had not yet publicly discussed their relationship. The video's "power couple" aesthetic garnered comparisons toBeyoncé andJay-Z, as well asJennifer Lopez andMarc Anthony.[24] Karol released the albumOcean on May 3, 2019. The album was inspired by a moment of peace and relaxation she experienced at the beach on the SpanishCanary Island ofTenerife; she traveled to the beaches of theTurks and Caicos Islands, as well asSaint Martin, to draw further inspiration for the album.[8] Elias Leight ofRolling Stone reviewed the album by stating, "The power ofOcean is somewhat diminished by the fact that a third of these songs are already out" but opined that "the remaining tracks are impressively varied".[25]
In July 2019, Karol G collaborated with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and J Balvin for the song "China". The song samples, and is based on, singerShaggy's 2000 hit, "It Wasn't Me".[26] "China" debuted at #2 onBillboard'sHot Latin Songs chart on the issue dated 3 August 2019, and topped both the Latin Digital Songs and Latin Streaming Songs charts with 1,000 downloads sold and 14.1 million streams.[26] "China" was included on theRolling Stone list of the 10 Best Latin Music Videos of July.[27] Karol G premiered the song on American television onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 10 January 2020.[28] The song reached #1 on theBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart on 23 November 2019 and stayed on the chart for 25 weeks.[12] Karol G released "Tusa", the first single from her albumKG0516, on 7 November 2019. Tusa, a reggaeton song featuringNicki Minaj, became a commercial success, eventually being nominated forRecord of the Year andSong of the Year at the21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards.[29]
In April 2020, Karol G released the single and video for "Follow" with Anuel AA, recording its entirety while in quarantine in Miami due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[30] She also collaborated with theJonas Brothers on the "flirtatious" song "X" which first appeared in the end credits of the group's documentary filmHappiness Continues.[31] Karol G and the Jonas Brothers filmed the song's accompanying music video on their iPhones, using the combined footage as a "clever way to get around the obvious challenge of trying to film a music video during the COVID-19 crisis".[31] In October, "Bichota" was released as the album's official lead single, becoming viral online.[32]
On 17 March 2021, Karol G announced the release of her upcoming album as well as its release date and cover art through a half-minute video.[33][34] The tracklist was announced on 22 March,[35] and on 26 March,KG0516 was released. Karol G released "Sejodioto" on 21 September 2021. In October 2021, Karol G teamed up withSmirnoff for their "Sabor for the People" campaign. As part of the deal, herBichota Tour was presented by Smirnoff.[36]
On 14 February 2022, Karol G and Crocs announced a partnership by unveiling two different shoe silhouettes.[37] In April 2022, "Provenza" was released as the lead single of the then unannounced album,Mañana Será Bonito, The song became a commercial success and was nominated for both Record and Song of the Year at the23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards. The title refers to a neighborhood of Medellín called Provenza.[38] In August 2022 Karol G released "Gatúbela" alongside Puerto Rican rapper Maldy from Reggaeton duoPlan B. The song features a beat characteristic of old-school, 2000s reggaetón, with adembow rhythm. Its music video was initially banned online in certain countries for being sexually provocative, though it was later made available as no actual nudity is seen. The video also takes some inspiration from olderhorror movies (as her prowlingcat-woman character can be seen covered in blood at the end), and is the first to show off Karol G'sdyed red hair.[39][40][41][42][43]
On 19 February 2023, Karol G was among the headlining artists at the famousViña del Mar International Song Festival inViña del Mar/Valparaíso, Chile, where she performed a live-streamed show for over 15,000 fans.[44] On 24 February, Karol G's albumMañana Será Bonito was released,[45] alongside the collaboration "TQG" withShakira. The album peaked at number one on theBillboard 200, becoming the first-ever Spanish-language album by a female artist to debut at No. 1, while the collaboration achieved her highest-charting single on theBillboard Hot 100, peaking at seven. The project garnered seven nominations at the24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, winning three awards, includingAlbum of the Year andBest Urban Music Album, while "TQG" won forBest Urban Fusion/Performance.[46] This made Karol G the first woman to win the Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Music Album.[47] At the subsequent66th Annual Grammy Awards the album won an award forBest Música Urbana Album.[48]
In June 2023, Karol G signed withInterscope Records.[49][50] On 2 June 2023 Karol G released "Watati", a promotional single fromBarbie the Album which featured the Panamanian reggaeton artistAldo Ranks.[51] The music video was released on 15 June 2023.[52] Karol G released a song called "S91" on 13 July 2023, along with a music video directed by Pedro Artola.[53] On 11 August 2023 Karol G released a companion mixtape to Mañana Será Bonito, calledMañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season). It includes lead single "S91" and a second single titled "Mi Ex Tenía Razón" released on the same day as its parent mixtape. The album includes collaborations withPeso Pluma,Kali Uchis, andTiësto, among others.[54]
In 2024 she became the first Latina named Woman of the Year atBillboard Women in Music.[55]
On June 20, 2024, she released her single,Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido, her venture intomerengue. The song peaked at the top of theHot Latin Songs chart and peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made the year-end list for 2024. The song also became the longest running #1 on theLatin Airplay chart, with a total of 27 weeks spent at the number-one position.
Also in 2024, she appeared in a recurring role in theNetflix miniseriesGriselda, starringSofía Vergara.[56]
In August 2024, Karol G was added toFortnite Battle Royale as an outfit, with an additional outfit being included in theFortnite Festival Season Pass. She also received instruments, a limited-time in-game concert titled Mañana Será Bonito, and other themed content.[57][58][59]
On 5 September 2025, Karol G performed at the halftime show of theNational Football League'sBrazil game.[60]
On October 15, she appeared at theVictoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025, where she performed two songs from her album,Tropicoqueta, and walked the runway.[61] Karol G is the first ever Colombian artist to perform, or walk for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.[62]
Karol G's music has been described as predominantlyreggaeton andLatin urban,[2][3] with someLatin trap influences.[8][9] However, she has experimented with a variety of other genres in her work. Her albumOcean features a wide range of stylistic experimentation. She collaborated with Brazilian duoSimone & Simaria on the Spanish/Portuguese song "La Vida Continuó", which contains influences from the genre ofsertanejo.[8] Karol G cites the global appeal of singersRihanna,Beyoncé,Selena Quintanilla andShakira as major influences in her work and the level of global recognition she hopes to achieve, with Rihanna being a "dream" collaboration.[5] Karol G has a tattoo of portraits of Rihanna and Quintanilla, along with her own face, on her right forearm.[9] Additional influences includeDaddy Yankee,Maluma,Gloria Trevi,Backstreet Boys,[63]Christina Aguilera,[64]Ivy Queen,[65]Anahí,[66]Thalía,Spice Girls,Jerry Rivera,Bee Gees, andRed Hot Chili Peppers.[5]
Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo ofRolling Stone describes Karol G's style of dress as "feminine and sexy, yet sporty and tomboyish — but never [cutesy]".[5] Gary Suarez ofVice notes that in her music videos, "she exudes asex positivity that reflects a powerful diva image front and center, rather than the eye candy tropes often found in urbano visuals."[8] Karol G has a largeLGBT following, and the singer expressed admiration for her gay fans by explaining, "I love people who can go out into the world and be fearless...That's something I admire very much from that community. They have a beautiful energy."[65] She declined to record "Sin Pijama" withBecky G, which would become a collaboration withNatti Natasha and be a hit, because of a lyric about smoking marijuana in the song. Karol G, who does not smoke marijuana, felt that the song did not represent her true lifestyle.[9] For her albumOcean, Karol G moved away from the polished image of theUnstoppable album cover, with the artist explaining, "I did the picture with no makeup, super natural. Because that's the way I want people to listen to my music now."[8]
In 2020, Karol G's tweet about her dog's "perfect" color and citing it as an example of white and black looking beautiful together sparked controversy. She later admitted to have acted in "an ignorant way" at a time whenBlack Lives Matter had gripped America in 2020. Karol G also admitted to have "lost a lot of opportunities" in her interview withThe Guardian.[67]
Karol G met Puerto Rican rapperAnuel AA in August 2018 on the set of the music video for their song "Culpables", a month after his release from prison.[68] In January 2019, the couple announced their relationship.[24] On 25 April 2019, Karol G publicised her engagement to the rapper by appearing at theBillboard Latin Music Awards wearing a diamond ring.[68] On 20 April 2021, Anuel AA stated that he and Karol G had ended their relationship and engagement.[69] As of early 2023, Karol G's relationship withColombian musicianFeid was shown after they attended theBillboard Women in Music 2024 event together.[70]
On 29 February 2024, Karol G'sGulfstream IV, en route fromHollywood Burbank Airport toEl Salvador International Airport for herMañana Será Bonito Tour, made an emergency landing atVan Nuys Airport due to a report from the pilot of smoke in the cockpit. All 16 passengers onboard the plane, including Karol G, were evacuated safely with no injuries.[71]
Headlining
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Opening act
Karol G has received several awards and nominations including eightLatin Grammy Awards (includingAlbum of the Year), oneGrammy Award, fiveBillboard Music Awards, threeMTV Europe Music Awards, oneMTV Video Music Award, oneAmerican Music Award and tenLo Nuestro Awards, among others.
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