‘Latinas Are Everything’: Karol G Fires Back at Critics of…

Overnight Friday, Karol G released Tropicoqueta, her fifth studio album. At 20 songs, the project hops between genres, going from bachata on “Ivonny Bonita” to the Ranchero ballad “Ese Hombre Es Malo” and reggaetón tracks like “Latina Foreva,” which samples “Oye Mi Canto,” N.O.R.E.'s 2004 classic with Daddy Yankee, Nina Sky, Gem Star, and Big Mato. Variety calls it a tribute to Latin identity. And while the album’s range may please many fans, the Colombian artist is ready for criticism, too.

“I don’t know what is going to happen with this album,” Karol told the outlet in a new interview. “But no matter how it’s received, I’m going to fight for it, because I am super in love with it. Every week, I find a new favorite.”

The songs, Karol said, reflect her own life. "I don’t want to change myself to have to please anyone, either. I have emotional songs on this record that are soul-touching, and then I have my fun and sometimes raunchy songs—Latinas are everything. Why can’t we just be everything?”

Karol also addressed the backlash against “Latina Foreva,” which features a refrain of “teta y nalga,” or “tits and ass,” and a swimsuit-heavy video.

“It’s difficult, because the video is incredible,” she said, “but I knew having us in bikinis with me singing about tits and ass… I just knew it was going to be a talking point. But the way I see it, I am just singing of my realities.”

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