RBD‘s influence on pop culture is undeniable. Perhaps the most successful Latin pop group of the past two decades, RBD has moved the masses since it launched in early 2000s when it was selling out stadiums and arenas across the globe. Twenty years later, the band is doing it all over again with their 2023 Soy Rebelde Tour, marking its highly-anticipated reunion since disbanding in December 2008.
But even after its hiatus, RBD has influenced a new generation of artists — including Karol G, who last year invited RBD’s Anahí as her special guest during a show in Mexico City. The two powerhouses joined forces for an emotional performance of “Sálvame,” marking the first time Anahi performed live in 11 years. Onstage, the two artists even rocked pink cowboy hats, resembling the one Anahi wore in the song’s official music video.
Bad Bunny is another fan of the hit song, a ballad released in 2004 which instantly became a heartbreak anthem thanks to its emotional lyrics, backed by Anahí’s dulcet vocals. The Puerto Rican superstar posted a 19-second video on his TikTok account, where he’s seen singing part of the song a cappella. On the Billboard charts, “Sálvame” peaked at No. 27 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart dated April 8, 2006.
With RBD’s return to the spotlight, now as a five-piece (Anahí, Dulce María, Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez and Christopher von Uckermann), we’ve put together a list of artists who’ve proven to be the ultimate RBD fans. From Karol to Bad Bunny and Adriana Rios, see the list below.
Karol G
During her Bichota Reloaded Tour in Latin America, Karol G surprised fans during the Mexico City concert on June 11, 2022 bringing out RBD’s Anahí as her special guest. The two performed an emotional rendition of the 2004 hit “Sálvame.”
“It was incredible to see how despite many years of absence you still shine with such intensity,” Karol, who’s a big RBD fan, expressed on Instagram. “Eleven years off stage, 11 years of invitations that you rejected because you had other ideals and you accepted mine. You accepted me and I felt great and special.”
She continued: “Seeing you again before the world, in the midst of tears and so many emotions, only confirmed that although for years they have been beautiful memories, the feelings of an entire generation are still alive, intact … Having you there not only made me happy but it made millions of us happy. You and I forever.”
Watch the special moment below:
Adriana Rios
Mexican artist Adriana Rios felt inspired to record her own version of RBD’s “Este Corazón,” which she released over the summer. Powered by a mariacheño sound, Rios’ rendition of the song is part of her new EP, Vuelve, which includes other covers such as “Quítame Ese Hombre,” “Vuelve” and “Me Cuesta Tanto Olvidarte.”
Bad Bunny
Last year, Bad Bunny posted a 19-second video on his TikTok account, where he’s seen singing part of “Sálvame” a cappella, which not only showcased the Puerto Rican artist’s love for the song but had many hoping for a remix of the 2004 track featuring Bunny.
That wasn’t the first time Bad Bunny had referenced RBD. On his Chencho Corleone-assisted “Me Porto Bonito,” off his wildly successful Un Verano Sin Ti, he sings a part of the lyric that says: “In the 2000s she listened to RBD, and now she wants perreo every night against the wall.”
Watch the clip of Bad Bunny singing “Sálvame” with Anahí’s reaction side-by-side.
Moderatto & Danna Paola
Mexican rock band Moderatto and pop star Danna Paola joined forces for their own version of “Sólo Quédate en Silencio,” which they released last year. The song is from RBD’s debut album Rebelde, released in 2004. Check out Moderatto and Danna Paola’s version below:
Anitta
Taking a cue from Anahí’s original music video, Anitta was also super dramatic in her performance of “Sálvame.” On TikTok, the Brazilian star did a side-by-side with Anahí singing 40 seconds of the track, which was part of the band’s first album, Rebelde.
RBD as Halloween inspiration? Last year, Lele Pons, Kimberly Loaiza and Nicole García dressed up as Mia Colucci (Anahí), Roberta (Dulce María) and Lupita (Maite Perroni), the characters from the telenovela Rebelde, from which RBD was born.
Lele captioned the video on TikTok with three hearts, and showed off their Halloween costumes inspired by RBD, soundtracked by their hit song “Rebelde.”
J Balvin
In 2021, J Balvin referencedMia Colucci, the character Anahí played in the Mexican telenovela Rebelde, in his verse on the remix to Ty Dolla $ign’s “Spicy.” Catch his lyrics near the minute mark.
