After a successful year of music in multiple languages and an ever-growing popularity, Colombian Karol G is finally getting the recognition she deserves. At the Billboard Women in Music Award Ceremony, Karol G was honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year—one of the most prestigious honors for women in music.
At just 33 years old, Karol G is considered one of the most influential reggaeton and urban pop artists of the modern day. She’s been actively working within the music scene since 2007, but garnered popularity in 2017 when she collaborated with Bad Bunny on his song “Ahora Me Llama.” She continued to gain attention for collaborating with big names like Nicki Minaj and Daddy Yankee before receiving praise for solo projects.
In February of 2023, Karol G released her album Mañana Será Bonito which became the first ever Spanish-language album by a woman to hold the first spot on the Billboard 200. A collaborative song that the artist did with Shakira, “TQG” also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seven. Between the album and the song “TQG,” Karol G went on to receive seven nominations for the Latin GRAMMY Awards and won for Album of the Year, Best Urban Music Album and Best Urban Fusion/Performance. Nearly a year later, she won her first GRAMMY for Best Música Urbana Album.
Karol G’s influence in the music industry has been accredited for creating bridges between Latinx culture and the rest of the world, popularizing Latin music on an international scale. As her music continues to break barriers for Latin music on international charts, Karol G utilizes her platform to speak on the importance of representation for the Hispanic and Latinx communities. Karol G’s music has also been heavily embraced by women and the LGBTQ+ community for its empowering messages around self-expression for those who have historically been oppressed.
Further building upon these messages, Karol G created the Con Cora Foundation in 2023 to improve the lives of vulnerable and at-risk women and children. The foundation not only provides for the financial and educational needs of these communities, but works to build confidence, talent and skillsets through their numerous partnerships and scholarships. Karol G’s footprint in the music industry and in the world of philanthropy were recognized by Billboard in 2023 when she was given the Spirit of Hope award which recognizes women making a difference in music and beyond.
With her Billboard recognition, Karol G reaffirms her own talents in the industry while creating a greater path for the future of Latin music. Billboard’s editorial director, Hannah Karp released a statement on Karol G’s selection as Woman of the Year, saying:
“With her immense talent, Karol G has created a movement of women across the globe due to her empowering lyrics and shameless confidence. The release of her groundbreaking album Mañana Será Bonito has proven her a force to be reckoned with in both the English and Spanish charts.”
As this year’s Woman of the Year, Karol G also joins an ongoing list of other musical greats who have previously held the title such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.
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