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Karol G (Carolina Giraldo Navarro, born July 14, 1991, in Medellín, Colombia) is the most important female Latin artist of the decade. In 2023 she became the first solo Latina to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "TQG" (alongside Shakira), and her single "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" (2023) spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs, winning ASCAP Latin Song of the Year in 2026. Here's how she got there, her five biggest singles, her impact on female reggaetón, and why every recent release pushes the genre forward.
From Medellín to No. 1: the story of Karol G
Karol G grew up in a musical family in Medellín. At 13 she auditioned for the Colombian reality show Factor X and finished in second place. In 2010 she moved to New York to study music and signed her first record deal at 17. Her debut solo single, "Ahora Me Llama" (2017), produced by Sky Rompiendo, positioned her as the female voice of Latin reggaetón at a moment when the genre was dominated by men (Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, J Balvin, Bad Bunny).
What separates Karol G isn't only her commercial success: she's the artist who normalized women leading reggaetón and Latin pop on their own terms. Songs like "Bichota," "Tusa" (with Nicki Minaj), and "PROVENZA" became Latin pop anthems. Her collaboration with Shakira on "TQG" (2023) sealed her place as the most important Latin female artist of her generation.
The 5 best Karol G singles
1. "TQG" (with Shakira, 2023) — the record-breaking anthem
"TQG" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — Karol G's first No. 1 on that chart and the first time two Latina women led the ranking. The song, about emotional freedom after a breakup, racked up more than 1.5 billion streams on Spotify in under a year. Time magazine called it "the most important Latin pop song of 2023."
2. "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" (2023) — the ASCAP-winning ballad
The pop ballad that spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs. Co-written by Karol G with Marco Antonio Solís (yes, the Los Bukis legend), "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" became a wedding and farewell anthem. It won ASCAP Latin Song of the Year in 2026. The track proves that Karol G isn't just reggaetón: she's a versatile songwriter who can lead any subgenre of Latin pop.
3. "Tusa" (with Nicki Minaj, 2019) — the international duet
"Tusa" was the song that broke Karol G into the English-speaking market. The collab with Nicki Minaj climbed to No. 1 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs and into the top 30 of the Hot 100. The lyrics — a dizzying take on heartbreak — became one of the anthems of Latin Gen Z, and the song is still one of the most-streamed female reggaetón tracks, with 2 billion+ streams.
4. "Bichota" (2020) — the song that made her the boss
"Bichota" cemented Karol G as the most important woman in reggaetón. Produced by Ovy on the Drums, the track reclaims a street term as female empowerment. The official video passed 1 billion views on YouTube, and the phrase "una bitch en power" became a slogan for an entire generation of Latin women in music and entertainment.
5. "PROVENZA" (2022) — her most personal artistic statement
The single from KG0516 (2022) is dedicated to her hometown. "PROVENZA" captures paisa (Medellín) pride with a nostalgic beat and Karol G's most vulnerable vocal. The song became a hymn for the city, and Provenza street itself, in the El Poblado neighborhood of Medellín, turned into a fan pilgrimage site.
Karol G by the numbers (June 2026)
- 14 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs with "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"
- 40+ million monthly Spotify listeners (the most among Latina artists)
- 1 Latin Grammy for Best Urban Song (2024, "TQG")
- 5 Latin Grammys in total
- ASCAP Latin Song of the Year 2026 ("Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido")
- 1.5+ billion cumulative streams on "TQG"
Karol G's impact on female reggaetón
Karol G isn't just the most important female Latin artist: she redefined what it means to be a woman in reggaetón. Before her, the few women who entered the genre (Ivy Queen, La India, Natti Natasha) did so by seeking male validation or trading bars in a back-and-forth. Karol G entered as a leader: she picks her features, her producers, her themes.
Her Bichota brand, launched in 2022, isn't just a clothing line — it's a declaration that reggaetón culture can be led by women. The brand's aesthetic — vibrant colors, urban lettering, sorority messaging — influenced how younger artists (like the Argentine Nicki Nicole and Mexico's Bellakath) build their own brands.
For Latin music, Karol G represents the final normalization of women as leaders of the genre, not guests.
What's next for Karol G in 2026
In May 2026 Karol G released "Coleccionando Heridas" (a collaboration with Marco Antonio Solís, her co-writer on "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"), the first taste of her next album. The track points in a more acoustic, emotional direction, well away from the hard reggaetón of KG0516 and Mañana Será Bonito. The full album, still without a release date, will land in the final quarter of 2026 and promises to be her most personal project to date.
Frequently asked questions about Karol G
What is Karol G's real name?
Her real name is Carolina Giraldo Navarro, born July 14, 1991, in Medellín, Colombia. "Karol G" has been her stage name since 2010; the "G" honors her younger brother, who passed away in a traffic accident in 2014.
How many Grammys has Karol G won?
As of 2026, Karol G has won 1 Latin Grammy (Best Urban Song 2024 for "TQG") and 4 additional Latin Grammys (including Song of the Year 2024 for "TQG" and Best Pop Vocal Album 2024 for Mañana Será Bonito). Her first English-language Grammy is still pending — she's the favorite to win one in 2027 with her next album.
What is Karol G's best song?
"TQG" (with Shakira, 2023) is widely considered her best single. It spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs, won the Latin Grammy for Song of the Year, and broke barriers for female Latin pop. Close behind: "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" (her most successful ballad) and "Tusa" (with Nicki Minaj).
Is Karol G the most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify?
Among Latina artists, yes: Karol G has been No. 1 since 2023 per Spotify Wrapped, with 40+ million monthly listeners. In the global ranking overall (including men and non-Latinos), she's been in the top 30 since 2023. Before her, the most-streamed Latina was Shakira, who peaked in 2010 with "Waka Waka."
Is Karol G dating Feid?
Karol G and Colombian singer Feid confirmed their relationship in 2023, though both have kept it relatively low-key. The pair met in the Colombian reggaetón scene and have collaborated on tracks like "Hablamos Mañana" (2023). They're considered the most influential couple in Latin pop right now.
What is Karol G's net worth?
According to Forbes, Karol G's estimated net worth as of 2026 is about $38 million, coming from music royalties, international tours, her Bichota clothing brand, and endorsements with brands like Adidas and CoverGirl. She's the highest-paid Latina artist right now.