by: Alana Brown-Davis
Karol G’s highly anticipated project ‘Tropicoqueta’ has arrived. The Colombian global superstar brings in the summer season with an album that will surely keep you dancing. Her fifth album, is an ode to her roots that explores the vast canvas of Latin American music.
Karol G’s work as a modern day artist is worthy of study by future generations of performers. The critical and commercial success of ‘Manana Sera Bonito’ including it being the first all Spanish language album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart has set a high precedent for the singer. In addition to that feat, ‘Manana Sera Bonito’ earned the singer her first Grammy in 2024. Despite all of these firsts with an album that would seem to be her magnum opus, ‘Tropicoqueta‘ begs to defer. ‘Tropicoqueta’ displays a new tier of empowerment fueled by a fervent love for her culture and diaspora.
‘Tropicoqueta’ is a Perfect Summer Release
Last summer, Karol G released ‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’, a perfect merengue tease to what she would be releasing this year. The marketing behind this decision is phenomenal, forcing fans and critics alike to remain on the edge of their seats and anticipate her next move. Travelling with her last tour informed the songs on ‘Tropicoqueta’ offering her a template to work from. The whopping 20- track album never has a dull moment. From weaving listeners into a tapestry of Latin music to smart production (‘Cuando Me Muera Te Olvido’ which samples 80s hit ‘Careless Whisper’) ‘Tropicoqueta’ does everything right. In ‘Colleccionando Heridas’, she adds regional Mexican nuances with the help of Marco Antonio Solis while ‘Bandida Entrenada’ contains Brazillian funk flavor. All of this she does as a tribute to her fans and the music that made her into the entertainer she is today.
This is a special moment for Karol G and listeners are grateful to be able to witness it in real time. We can see her following in the footsteps of her predecessors like Beyonce, Selena, and Shakira by producing consistent and memorable releases. In an Instagram post this past month, Karol G spoke fondly of this album. She states, “This album is soul, it’s passion, memory, it’s nostalgia, it’s joy, it’s party, it’s identity.” In ‘Tropicoqueta’ takes us on a beautiful journey with her, her dedication infused in every lyric.