Karol G has gained a similar level of success as Shakira, but she’s done so without needing to record her albums in English. That alone speaks volumes to how far Latin music has come in the United States. With Karol gracing the cover of the latest issue of Complex, we compared and contrasted the rise of Karol and Shakira to highlight how the Spanish-language landscape has changed in America and what that has meant for these two unique artists.
Shakira found success early on with Spanish-language albums like Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? but she was releasing songs when radio, MTV, and major labels prioritized English-language music. To stay competitive and reach the U.S. mainstream, Shakira released Laundry Service in 2001, her first English-language album. It was a necessary move for Shakira and paid off, but it also highlights the barriers that Latin artists once had to break through—barriers that Karol G hasn’t faced in the same way.
Like Shakira, Karol G began her rise making Spanish-language music, but her outcome was different. Karol’s 2023 album, Mañana Será Bonito, was the first all-Spanish album by a woman to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200. In 2024, she was named the first Latina Billboard Woman of the Year and the first woman to win a Grammy in the Música Urbana category. By 2025, Karol completed a massive global tour and released the Netflix documentary, Karol G: Tomorrow was Beautiful, all without ever needing to record a whole album in English.
So why was this possible for Karol G and not Shakira? The beginning of Shakira’s career was during a time when Latin music was niche in the U.S. and chart success was directly tied to the appeal for English-language music. Karol G has benefited from an entirely new music industry driven by streaming.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, in 2024, Latin music generated $1.4 billion in the U.S. alone. A big part of this success for Latin music in the industry today comes from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify. Having these platforms allows Spanish-language songs to reach global audiences and gives listeners the chance to decide what hits the charts.
Karol G’s success just builds on Shakira’s, as it showcases the creative freedom that Spanish-language artists can have in 2025. The difference between their journeys is not about talent; it’s timing and opportunity. Karol G represents a new era for the music industry where Latin artists can lead globally, while staying true to not only their language, but their identity as well. Karol G didn’t need to translate her voice to be heard.
