Karol G turns into first Latina named girl of the 12 months at Billboard ceremony honoring world musicians
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Karol G made historical past at Wednesday night time’s Billboard Girls in Music awards ceremony.
“That is the primary time, ever, a Latina is known as girl of the 12 months,” Karol G started her acceptance speech after a fiery efficiency of her reggaetón hit, “Amargura.” And so, in honor of that unimaginable feat, she delivered the remainder of her speech in Spanish.
The worldwide famous person obtained the award on the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, after a full of life introduction from her “Griselda” co-star Sofia Vergara.
After all, Karol G is used to creating historical past at this level. Final month, she turned the primary girl to win in the perfect música urbana class on the Grammys, a second which will replicate altering perceptions of reggaetón and Latin hip-hop as solely “males’s music.” Final 12 months, her album “Mañana Será Bonito,” considered one of The Related Press’ picks for better of the 12 months, turned the primary ever Spanish-language album by a feminine artist to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. (Not solely that, however “Mañana Será Bonito” is the primary Latin album — by a Latina — to achieve No. 1 on the albums chart since Selena Quintanilla’s posthumous “Dreaming of You,” did in 1995 following her high-profile homicide.)
When Karol G launched into a stadium tour in assist of the discharge, she turned the primary Latina to headline at most of the venues the place she carried out. To name Karol G’s rise meteoric would not be hyperbole.
Within the crowds above the stage on the YouTube Theater, followers wielded glowing mild sticks — official merchandise for the Ok-pop woman group NewJeans, who attended, carried out an animated medley of their viral hits “Tremendous Shy” and “ETA,” and had been awarded the title of group of the 12 months.
Later, the viewers lead chants of “Bichota” — an affectionate nickname for Karol G, derived from Puerto Rican slang “bichote,” which refers to a drug seller, however reworked right into a time period of empowerment with the female “a.” It’d’ve briefly confused host Tracee Ellis Ross, who in any other case masterfully guided the group all through the night, nevertheless it actually underscored a significant theme of the night: to have a good time girls within the music enterprise is to have a good time girls globally.
A brand new award class heralding performers who’re “world forces” got to girls from world wide for his or her needle-moving contributions to their dwelling nations, together with Annalisa representing Italy, Sarah Geronimo from the Philippines and Luísa Sonza from Brazil, who carried out and was joined by Demi Lovato for “Penhasco2,” their Portuguese energy ballad.
The second annual producer of the 12 months award was given to PinkPantheress, recognized for her jungle and UK storage beats woven into songs that keep away from straightforward classification.
“As a lady of colour in digital music — particularly 2-step, drum and bass, it is taken loads for the style to be acknowledged on a wider scale — lots of people do not anticipate me to look the best way I did, making the music I used to be making,” she stated in her speech. “Even now, folks do not need to take my music severely. However I’m simply pleased that I’ve the chance to be acknowledged in a particular area by the Billboard Girls in Music Award.”
Performers on the ceremony included Maren Morris, Younger Miko, Tems, Victoria Monét — all of whom obtained awards. Charli XCX debuted a brand new music titled “So I,” about “an individual who’s not with us,” as she defined in her introduction.
Monét led the night time — with a brassy efficiency of her huge hit “On My Mama.” Instantly afterward, her mom introduced her with the rising star award. “She did not inform me she was coming, y’all!” Monét exclaimed, clutching Mama Monét, as she tried to learn from a teleprompter. In her acceptance speech, Monét shouted out “girls doing the thankless jobs” along with these “behind the scenes and in entrance of the curtain.”
Throughout two and a half hours, Ice Spice and Kylie Minogue had been among the different music artists who had been acknowledged on the occasion, which celebrated the achievements of prime feminine performers and executives within the music trade.
Presenters included Katy Perry, Coco Jones, Andra Day, Saweetie, Ellie Goulding, GloRilla, Bebe Rexha and Lainey Wilson.
Michelle Jubelirer, chair and CEO of Capitol Music Group, was awarded government of the 12 months. She resigned final month, following the continued reorganization of Capitol mum or dad Common Music Group. In some methods, it was an efficient reminder {that a} seat on the desk isn’t assured for ladies on this trade, however preventing for these positions is essential to creating progress.
