State Champ Radio

by DJ Frosty

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm

Current show
blank

State Champ Radio Mix

12:00 am 12:00 pm


Billboard Latin Women In Music 2024

Page: 2

Kali Uchis was a woman of few words at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 gala, where she let her music speak for her as she was honored as Rising Star on Sunday (June 9)’s telecast. Although her acceptance speech was the shortest of the night, the Colombian-American singer-songwriter shined with a class-act performance.
Uchis, in a long black dress and her hair in an updo, performed a stripped-down version of her hit “Igual Que un Ángel,” originally recorded with Peso Pluma and part of her latest Spanish-language album, Orquídeas, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Top Latin Albums.

Accompanied only by piano and trumpet, the Grammy winner showcased her voice with a jazzy arrangement that added elegance to the show. Moments after her performance, Peso Pluma appeared on screen to present, through a video, the award to his “friend,” whom he called “a talented and multifaceted woman who even took me out of my comfort zone.”

Trending on Billboard

“Many thanks to Billboard and many thanks, first of all, to God for this life, for giving me the opportunity to always grow, and to my fans,” Uchis said, as she received a standing ovation from the audience.

Kali Uchis onstage during Billboard mujeres latinas en la música at the Telemundo Center in Miami, FL on June 8, 2024.

John Parra/TELEMUNDO

Singer, songwriter and producer Kali Uchis has successfully alternated between English and Spanish-language projects, and has defied musical genres by blending elements of R&B, neo-soul, pop and Latin rhythms. Her smash hit “Telepatía” has more than two billion plays and is the longest Spanish-language song by a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100 this decade, with a 23-week streak.

In its second annual edition, Billboard Latin Women in Music also honored Karol G as Woman of the Year, Gloria Estefan as Legend, La India as Pioneer, Ana Bárbara with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Ángela Aguilar with the Music Dynasty Award, Camila Cabello with the Global Impact Award, and Kany García with the Spirit of Change Award.

In addition to airing on Telemundo on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, the ceremony is also available on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

Ana Bárbara is known for her spectacular performances and for taking over the stage. On Sunday night (June 9), she did it in spades, opening the second edition of Billboard Latin Women in Music with an impressive medley that included “Te Regalo la Lluvia,” “Los Caminos e la Vida,” “Qué Poca” and “La Trampa” accompanied […]

Kany García, a lifelong champion of change and social justice, was honored with the Spirit of Change award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 gala, which aired Sunday from Miami’s Telemundo Center. Accompanied by an eight-piece pop/rock band, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter performed her new autobiographical song “García” and her hit “Te Lo […]

From Gloria Estefan to Kali Uchis and Ana Bárbara, Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 honorees walked the red carpet ahead of the music special, set to air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday (June 9) at 9 p.m. ET. This year, Karol G will be celebrated as Woman of the Year; Gloria Estefan will receive […]

2024’s Billboard Latin Women in Music celebrated its powerful honorees and music executives at an intimate get together at the Cardozo Hotel in Miami Beach on Friday night (June 7).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Hosted by Billboard, Loud And Live, and Only in Dade, the private celebration included star-studded guests such as Gloria Estefan, Ana Bárbara and La India, who will receive the Legend Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Pioneer Award, respectively, at the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music awards on Sunday (June 9). Award-winning hitmaker Emilio Estefan and breakthrough salsa artist Luis Figueroa were also in attendance.

“It’s a pleasure to be here, honoring a room of extraordinary women in an extraordinary year for Latin music,” Leila Cobo, chief content officer of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español, said during her welcome speech. 

Trending on Billboard

“When I started at Billboard, a bit over 20 years ago, I never saw myself as an executive. I saw myself as a journalist because I was a journalist,” she continued. “It took me a long time to see myself as an executive despite the fact that I began constructing a business that didn’t exist. I realized that I didn’t see myself as an executive because there wasn’t a role model that was doing the same thing that I was trying to do, and that made me aware of the importance of having role models in this business.” 

Cobo then congratulated all of the powerful women in the room, expressing that “Billboard takes great pride in shining a light on those [women] who have been ahead and giving a platform to those who are coming.” 

Following Cobo’s speech, 2024 honorees La India and Estefan shared a few words, and even flaunted their beautiful friendship that has endured over the years. “You deserve this so much, you’ve been such a good, beautiful woman […] I don’t get a chance to tell her, and I want you to know that you’ve always been very supportive towards me,” the salsa singer told Estefan.

In addition to Estefan, La India and Ana Bárbara, Billboard will honor the following artists: Kany García (spirit of change award), Kali Uchis (rising star award), Ángela Aguilar (musical dynasty award), Camila Cabello (global impact award) and the woman of the year, Karol G.

The Colombian superstar, who is currently on the European leg of her Mañana Será Bonito Tour, was not in town for the event but did send colorful preserved roses by Lovely Roses to gift to all of the honorees in the room.

The 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music is set to air exclusively at 9 p.m. ET on June 9 on Telemundo. 

Karol G ended 2023 on the highest possible note: She became the first woman (and second artist ever) to top the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish-language album (Mañana Será Bonito, the year’s fifth-most-streamed album on Spotify); the top female Latin artist on Billboard’s year-end charts (behind only Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma); and the winner of both urban album and album of the year at the Latin Grammy Awards in November — the first woman to win urban album of the year. 

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

As a touring artist, she sold a staggering 925,000 tickets and grossed $155.3 million, making her the 11th-highest-grossing touring act of 2023, among all genres, according to Billboard Boxscore. 

Then came the encore. 

Trending on Billboard

During the first six months of 2024, Karol G was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year, her Mañana Será Bonito tour has grossed over $100 million and sold nearly 1 million tickets throughout Latin America — and on June 8, she will be recognized as Billboard’s Latin Woman of the Year at the Billboard Latin Women In Music gala taking place on the same date as the kickoff to her European arena tour. 

One could think that the numbers alone are the driver behind the award, and yes, they would be enough. But that’s not at the heart of Karol G’s selection. 

When, 18 months ago, the Colombian singer hit the road that took her to over 35 sold-out stadiums, she did so by taking a big risk and a huge leap of faith. She launched her own label, Bichota Records; launched her Con Cora Foundation; and opened offices for her company, Girl Power, in Medellín. She also made a point of inviting up-and-coming artists, mostly women, to perform on her tour. In February, she released a new single, “Contigo,” with Tiësto, an exploration into dance music that reached No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. 

Through it all, Karol is acutely aware that it doesn’t end here.  

“I feel very thankful and honored to receive this recognition that I accept with great responsibility and commitment,” she tells Billboard. “I thank all the women who have been part of this journey and I celebrate –in the most genuine way—women: their discipline, their commitment, their making this movement something so big, special and inspiring. Remember, we can’t allow anyone to destroy our extraordinary outlook on life and the opportunities it gives us. Nor can anyone else decide our value as a woman, as a person, as a professional. That value is yours to determine; it’s something you work for, it’s something you earn.”  

“No one else can decide our value as a woman, as a person, as a professional. That value is yours to determine; it’s something you work for, it’s something you earn.”  Karol G

Billboard has spoken with Karol G many times over the past several years, closely documenting her career’s rise. This time, as we honor her as Latin Woman of the Year, we asked others in the industry to speak about her impact. 

ROMEO SANTOS, on having Karol G as a guest on “Obsesión” during Aventura’s 2021 Dodger Stadium show. “Despite Karol’s fame status, she’s down to earth, and her energy is always positive. She has expressed that it was an honor to participate onstage that night, but sincerely she made that occasion an unexpected epic experience for the fans. I’m proud of her success, and her name will go down in history as one of the very few Latin artists that can sell out stadiums. There ain’t too many of us.” 

BECKY G, on working with Karol G on their hit song “MAMII” and its aftermath. “What impacted me most about working with Karol was her willingness to give advice and lend a helping hand. There’s a preconceived notion that success comes overnight, but Karol and I have been hustling in this industry for over 10 years. It’s rare to find someone so open to sharing insights and discussing the obstacles she faced so others don’t have to, helping us continue breaking down barriers … Karol inviting me to perform in both our hometowns will forever be performances held in my heart so dearly. The rumble in the stadiums of Los Angeles and Medellín [Colombia] at our feet reminded me of the power we hold when we come together. Every soundcheck Karol held me by the hand and showed me the ropes, walking me through step by step of what to be prepared for and present for during our performances. Her and her amazing team are like family to me, and I love seeing them win.” 

“What impacted me most about working with Karol was her willingness to give advice and lend a helping hand.”Becky G

OVY ON THE DRUMS, on producing Karol G and their longstanding friendship. “I’ve had the fortune of being her producer from the very beginning, and being able to connect musically and achieve everything we have, goes beyond music. We’re already family … Her discipline and consistency [continue to impact me]. She’s truly an unstoppable woman. For me, she has a superpower. When we create music together, she already knows what’s going to be her next single. She has an incredible vision when it comes to her project and knows exactly how she’s going to execute it. I think she’s a genius in that sense.” 

“She has an incredible vision when it comes to her project and knows exactly how she’s going to execute it. I think she’s a genius in that sense.” Ovy On The Drums

RYAN CASTRO, on collaborating with Karol G on “Una Noche En Medellín (Remix).” “[The track] is a very special song for me because it is a hit that was global and talks about the city where Karol and I grew up. I am very grateful to Karol, because when she took the opportunity to do the remix, she wanted me to participate because of the representation I give to ‘Medallo.’ What strikes me most about working with Karol G is the control she has of the stage and the fans when doing her shows. She is also a very organized person and everything she does has some meaning. [I remember] the first time I sang at her concert at the Medellín stadium. Not only did she invite me to her show, but she also called me onstage to sing my hit ‘Jordan’ with me. It was one of the most memorable moments, because she knew the words to my song.” 

MYRIAM HERNANDEZ, on sharing the stage with Karol G at the Viña del Mar Festival in 2023. “It’s one of the most beautiful experiences I had almost two years ago. It was very relevant and exciting. Two women, different musical genres and united in a single love song. [A] magical moment. Plus, we wanted to fulfill that dream. Karol impresses me because not only does she have this overflowing talent, but she is also very disciplined and doesn’t stop. She has endless energy and I love that she maintains her humility. Seven years ago, she herself sent me a video declaring that one day we would sing together, and it was achieved.” 

BAD GYAL, on recording and performing “Kármika” with Karol G. “Sharing the stage with Karol always makes me feel very comfortable; her team and her always treat me the best. An experience like that could put a lot of pressure on me – like being onstage with one of the biggest artists today – but they make me feel very calm and everything goes very easy. What has surprised me the most is that she’s very humble, she treats everyone so well and she has a very beautiful energy.” 

NATHY PELUSO, on performing and recording with Karol G. “She is very generous. She invited me to play in Buenos Aires, which means a lot to me. [It was] the first time we sang ‘Gato Malo,’ which is the song we’ve had together for years. She has a very gigantic show, very beautiful, very spectacular, and I also love her very much as a friend.” 

KALI UCHIS, on filming the video for “Labios Mordidos.” “I was pregnant and showing, but I wasn’t ready to announce my pregnancy. So I had to hide my stomach in the whole video. I was really shy about so many strangers seeing my belly, because I was still keeping that private, and it was making me uncomfortable … Then we did the music video. It was so sweet. Everybody, [Karol] and all the girls on site were so supportive and protective of me [about] any little thing that [could] happen. They were looking out for me. I felt very safe with all of them. It was probably the funnest music video I’ve ever shot because of that.” 

ELENA ROSE, on opening Karol G’s show in Venezuela. “There is a before and after, absolutely. More than for my career, it’s what it meant for my life. I was honored to be there and my heart was full to feel my beautiful country hug me and to feel supported and appreciated by such an amazing woman and artist as is Karol. Karol is a huge inspiration, personally more so for her humanity. She is a giver, a lover and a strong warrior. Our conversations are always meaningful, and the work we do together is very intentional. I admire her so much, and I feel unstoppable when I’m around her. I think that is what women should always do to each other — make each other stronger and more powerful. 

“Karol is a huge inspiration, personally more so for her humanity. She is a giver, a lover and a strong warrior.”Elena Rose

“The second show in Venezuela was on my birthday. Karol and her team had my backstage room filled with balloons and flowers. She sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me before going onstage with her family and mine. I felt so full and loved. I hugged her mom and told her, ‘Thank you for giving birth and raising this amazing human being.’” 

“I was surprised by her simplicity, her humility, how hardworking she is, the love for her family and her fans. There are many things I identify with her, and I see her as a great role model to follow.” Dei V

DEI V, on working with Karol G on “Gatita Gangsta.” “Working with someone like ‘La Bichota’ is something that many artists dream of, and thank God, I had that privilege. Our collaboration changed my life. It marked a before and after in my career, and I will always be grateful to Karol for that. Singing with her onstage was epic. It was the first time that I performed in front of thousands and thousands of people. I was surprised by her simplicity, her humility, how hardworking she is, the love for her family and her fans. There are many things I identify with her, and I see her as a great role model to follow. 

NOAH ASSAD, Karol G’s manager, on her current success. “She was ready to build her own label, her own structure, her own team. She was already betting on herself without getting the gain. I’m very proud of the independence we were able to accomplish, but I’m very proud of how hard she worked during the pandemic, and being an artist that went from the pandemic to theaters to arenas to stadiums, all from 2020 to 2023, that’s just amazing. [Her global success] was overdue. It’s overdue for a woman to lead a genre. A lot of people identify with her in different ways. Being a human in her position is hard to come by. There are very few people that can do a stadium tour. I think people love her because she’s a genuine human being and she inspires people to be better every day.” 

SERVANDO Y FLORENTINO, on singing the hit “De Sol a Sol” with Karol G in Venezuela. “I would describe this moment as Epic and unprecedented. [We admire] her discipline, her disposition, her center, how well-focused she is. She understands the moment she is living in because she also built it herself with a wonderful team, and she does not leave the work that falls to her in the hands of others. She received us with a beautiful disposition; she sang with us, laughed, rehearsed everything, even though she had played a huge show the night before … We love that she returned to her roots and used that as a resource to revisit a song from her childhood and invite us [the creators] to sing it with her. We admire her; we know how hard she has worked with music and for it, and the love and emotion were reciprocal that night.” 

JULIA PERICAS ANTON, Karol G’s choreographer. “At the beginning of the tour, we prepared about 12 new choreographies in which both the dancers and Karol had to participate. We had several weeks of rehearsals and Karol was very clear about the concept with which she wanted to show herself to the public. As the tour has progressed, we have been adding new choreographies, always trying to improve it and raising the level of the production of the show, which is spectacular. 

“I really believe that Karol G is a unique artist, not only because of the natural talent that she has when getting onstage but because of the amount of preparation and work she does every day so that you can see her on that stage as confident as you see her. Working alongside her makes you realize that perfection does not exist, but she is going to be very close to that and she will do whatever it takes.” 

JESSICA GIRALDO, Karol G’s sister and co-manager. “These past 12 months have been a window of transformation and growth for Karol’s musical and professional project. What we’ve achieved is the sum of the efforts of a great team headed by Karol and which I’ve had the opportunity to structure and lead. 2023 and 2024 have been full of successes that contributed to the expansion of the project and have taken it to another level.” 

EDGAR BARRERA, on writing and producing for Karol G. “She is an artist that knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to experiment in the studio with different genres and styles. Working with Karol G is always a pleasure and a delight. She takes care of every detail and is just as passionate about music as I am, so I feel like that makes our time in the studio so much more enjoyable.” 

MIA NYGREN, GM, Latin America, Spotify. “When Karol made history by being the first Latina woman to be chosen as Woman of the Year by Billboard, she invited several women in the industry who had been part of making this a reality to accompany her at the ceremony. I was fortunate and honored to be one of them, and this also coincided with my own nomination, which made the experience very special.”

Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2024 gala airs Sunday, June 9, on the Telemundo network (8 p.m. ET and can also be streamed on Peacock and the Telemundo app.

Jessica Roiz, Griselda Flores, Ingrid Fajardo, Isabela Raygoza and Sigal Ratner-Arias contributed to this article.

The list includes all Estefan’s No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs and Billboard Hot 100 charts, and some classics from her days with Miami Sound Machine.

With her eclectic fusions of Música Mexicana and Latin pop, Ana Bárbara has not only molded the Regional Mexican genre but righteously earned her title of La Reina Grupera (the queen of grupera music). In celebration of her 30-year career that has ultimately defined the grupero genre through 11 studio albums and various Billboard hits, […]

In a world where seasons change but legends remain, Ana Bárbara has positioned herself as an unforgettable icon in regional Mexican music and Latin pop.
Celebrating three decades of a spectacular career, the artist has excelled as the defining female voice of the grupero genre, with a mix of rhythms that has captivated millions. Throughout these years, the San Luis Potosí native has not only conquered hearts — with an extensive discography that includes 11 studio albums and 18 compilations — she has also molded the regional musical style.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From the time she debuted with an eponymous album in 1994 until she became La Reina Grupera, Altagracia Ugalde Motta (her real name) has released a succession of hits that resonate with a unique energy. Two decades ago, she delivered one of her biggest and most transcendent songs, “Lo Busqué”. “It was the first to make a crossover between pop and country,” Ana Bárbara says — and, as she can proudly claim, started a trend that now influences artists like Carín León, Chiquis and more.

Trending on Billboard

Throughout her career, she has collaborated with legendary figures such as Vicente Fernández, Bronco and Paquita la del Barrio, and has been a key player in the rise of superstars like Christian Nodal and (more recently) Majo Aguilar and Adriana Ríos. Her career not only reflects her mastery of the stage, but also of the Billboard charts. Hits such as “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta”, “La Trampa”, “Ya No Te Creo Nada” and “No Lloraré” reached the top 10 of Hot Latin Songs, and albums like Ay Amor (1996) and Yo Soy La Mujer (2014) established her as a mainstay on Regional Mexican Albums.

[embedded content]

Ana Bárbara will be recognized with the Music Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024. In this intimate dialogue, The Queen of Grupera opens the doors to her world, revealing more about her achievements, challenges and the passion that continues to fuel her impressive musical legacy.

This year you are marking 30 years of musical career, and you will celebrate it soon with La Reina Grupera Tour.

Cómo han pasado los años (how the years have gone by), as the song [by Rocío Dúrcal] says — and it’s been incredible. With so many things happening in life, to have life is a miracle. It’s a blessing to be celebrating with music and a tour! It’s a triple blessing. The tour is a surge of nostalgia, of history, of feelings, of ups and downs of emotions. Because in 30 years, how many stories could have been written? How many were part of my songs? I can’t express enough thanks for the gratitude that my heart feels, without a doubt.You sing, you compose, you dance. Is there an area that you enjoy the most in what involves being the superstar Ana Barbara, whether it’s recording, composing or performing live?They all have their magic. But the songwriting part of it is very exciting. It’s like, “Oh my God, I came up with this! Where did it come from? What part of the universe? Where was my soul?” When I start producing it, I see if I want guitar here or trumpet there. The creative process is like an adrenaline rush. Also, you know that a feeling crystallized, if you can call it that. A feeling that took shape. Just talking about it gets me excited. Right now I’m finishing [a song that I’m] crazy about and listening to it makes me thing: “How did I come up with this?” I know, it’s really cool. That’s an indescribable feeling.

I was listening to your most recent track, “Así bailé”. You have a very fun way of telling stories that make you smile.

If you listened to it and say, “I laughed, I smiled, it put on a good attitude,” then I have done my job. That song was to talk about the anecdote of when you meet someone and it doesn’t matter how old you are. You can be 17, 18, 40, 50 or 60 years old, be single and feel butterflies in your stomach again. Why not? That’s what I love about that song.

[embedded content]

You use norteño elements like the accordion, but it also sounds a bit country. How do you approach incorporating diverse styles into your music?

That’s something organic — that word is in style. “Lo Busqué” is going to be 20 years old, and I was lucky enough to be with Carín León at StageCoach [Festival on April 27], where he mentioned to those present that for him, that song, in his reality, was the first that made a crossover between pop and country. It is a song that marked him, and it marked me too when I wrote it.

When I wrote it, I had a lot of problems with the record label — because they told me: “Your song is neither grupera, nor ranchera, nor a ballad, nor country”. And I told them, “You know why it is nothing? Because it’s everything.” They’re songs that come naturally to me. I think it’s the impact of cultures — of traveling, of listening to all kinds of music — that makes me write that way.

Thirty years ago, when you were starting your career, regional Mexican music was even more male-dominated than it is today. What was it like to stand out and make your way as a female leader in the music scene and what challenges did you have to overcome?

The first challenge? Insecurity. It’s absolutely a man’s market. I still believe that. It’s misogynistic, and I say that with the authority of years of being in this. [A record executive] said, “We have five singles [to release], and Ana’s is going to be the fifth.” The first one, almost always, or always, is very male-focused. It’s insane! They’re career challenges that deflate your spirits.

But you keep going because of “orgullo de mujer cuando está herido”(or “a woman’s pride when it’s wounded”) — my song “Loca” (2004) says. Even if they [make you] let your guard down and say, “She’s probably going to get married or have children”, or “Oh, she’s not going to have the body she once had.”

No! If you got married, you got married; if you had a child, you bless them and move on. I have been a victim of these kinds of comments that can discourage any human being, any woman. Don’t let them make you let your guard down — you keep going, you keep fighting. If it impacts you, you have to know how to channel it. I have channeled it with my songs, through dance, concerts, and it has worked very well for me.

You proved it in February during your performance at Premio Lo Nuestro, with your medley of hits, the numerous costume changes, the choreography, and then you did a split! How do you prepare for that kind of gymnastics on stage? What’s your diet and routine like?

The worst thing that can happen to an artist, in my humble opinion, is that what they need the most is discipline or the routine to get in physical condition — to get on stage, sing and dance at the same time; daily exercise. We [artists] are always flying, traveling, going up, going down, all the time, and the only thing we don’t have is a routine. However, not having a constant of waking up in the same place — within that disorder you have to have an order.

I try to do sports at least three, four times a week. I do try to do them intensely — because imagine, singing, dancing, performing and costume changing is weight on your feet, arms and legs. Besides, you can’t become a fitness [guru], because you don’t have the time. One of the limitations is to look for schedules without routine, whether it’s in the evening, another in the morning, or at the crack of dawn. Do yoga, aerobics, things that give you the physical condition for that kind of performance.

[embedded content]

The logical thing to do when you’re not traveling, singing, promoting, taking care of your home or your family, is to rest. Well, no! In those breaks, the stress I put on my body is one that is called positive stress. Even if I’m very tired, I try to exercise to have the condition for these kinds of challenges that are award show presentations, or touring — because for each [tour] show, you need an hour and a half or two. Imagine being on stage, up there in heels at this age. [Laughs.] Yes, it’s a big challenge, queen.

You have been a judge in competitions such as La Academia and Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento. How was that experience of being on the other side of the music industry?

You can go all over the world and you will never come across a monument like a critic. It’s funny, but the critic can suddenly be cold hearted, and will only say: “Look, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta”, right? I was a critic, but I have been a judge — I have also been in programs as a contestant, not only once, but many times. From that sympathy, I made my comments [as judge]. I always wanted the contestant to feel good and comfortable, and leave there having lived a nice experience. Despite how strong [it can be], I always wanted them to have a glimmer of hope. But I tried to be realistic.

Besides the tour, what else is next for Ana Bárbara?

I have other music projects with new artists. María José, a Mexican singer that I love, just recorded a song. It is a song I wrote, called “Mi Rey, Mi Santo” (My King, My Saint), and the truth is that she sings it very beautifully. She invited me to sing it with her. It’s coming out [soon] and we are very excited.

Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 will air exclusively on Telemundo Sunday (June 9) at 9 p.m. ET, and will also be available on the Telemundo app and on Peacock.

When Kany García was a child growing up in Puerto Rico, her father — a former priest who became a social worker — constantly took his three children with him to the many public housing projects where he worked.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“My dad normalized for us the idea of ​​entering, of participating. There was always that dynamic of service, of conscience, of empathy,” García says today. The ability to listen and connect have been constant elements in García’s music, in songs that are intensely personal, but also intensely empathetic and capable of connecting on many levels. In her 17-year career, García has placed 30 songs on Billboard‘s Latin Pop Airplay chart and eight albums — including five in the top 10 and one No. 1, 2019’s Limonada — on Top Latin Albums. They include her most recent, the self-titled García, released last month.

But at the same time that Garcia, the artist, has gained global success (she just announced a 20-plus date U.S. tour), she has also spread social awareness in many areas — demonstrating sustained and vocal activism, and social commitment that is rare in the world of Latin music. For her action and conviction, García will be recognized with the Spirit of Change award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women In Music gala, airing June 9 on the Telemundo network.

Trending on Billboard

Receiving the award, says García, “On the one hand, is like an embrace — and within the effort and struggle, it’s also an opportunity to continue inspiring new generations of women who are vocal[…] how have raised their voices for my generation and for generations before me.”

In addition to helping multiple organizations, García continually promotes gender equality, feminism and LGBQT rights, and speaks often about gender violence, both in interviews and in her own songs.

“I think everyone acts according to what they understand and what their personality is,” she says when asked if artists should speak out. “For me, it’s a necessity. It’s something that goes hand in hand with touring – where you have the opportunity to see firsthand the people who are affected by your music. You’re there, and you witness the reality of each country and say: ‘How can I not speak up? How can I not contribute? How can I not communicate?’”

García actively contributes to many organizations, among them the True Self Foundation in Puerto Rico, which works for the well-being and social mobility of communities of different sexual orientation and gender identity. But García also advocates daily for those things she feels deeply on a personal level. On her Instagram feed, she often raises her voice to comment on topics as diverse as social policy and femicides and constantly engages in social issues. For example, in December, she sang at the Bayamón Women’s Rehabilitation Complex in Puerto Rico — her second visit to the center — and she also visited the headquarters of The Happy Givers, which helps seniors.

But at this moment in her life, she says, what moves her most is “everything that has to do with gender violence and the rate of femicides that exists throughout Latin America. The issue of women has been paramount in recent years.”

And it is a topic that García addresses the best way she knows: with music.

In her song “Se portaba mal” (“She Misbehave,” from the 2020 album Mesa Para Dos), for example — which she recorded with Mon Laferte — she describes in detail the daily life of an abused woman to the strains of tango (“She behaved badly, very bad/ You had to grab her and pull her hair/ Punch her three times before going to bed/ And tomorrow, ‘Forgive me because I love you,’” go the brutal opening lines).

“For me, feminism will always be important in my music — because I live the issue of inequality daily,” she says. “I love that the songs are a bridge that allow people to sit down and talk, to be aware of what we are experiencing. For me it has always been an essential part of what I have done and what has given meaning to my songs and my project.”

Billboard’s 2024 Latin Women In Music airs Sunday, June 9 on the Telemundo network (9 pm ET/8pm Central) and will stream live on the Telemundo app and on Peacock.