Rosalía
Spain
Rosalía is one of the most innovative artists in contemporary music, celebrated for her fearless fusion of flamenco with modern genres like reggaeton, Latin trap, R&B, and electronic music. Hailing from Sant Esteve Sesrovires, near Barcelona, Rosalía draws heavily on her Catalan roots while challenging traditional Spanish norms, particularly the roles of women in both music and society. Her ground-breaking approach has made her one of the most influential voices in both Spanish and global music today.
Her career first gained momentum with her 2017 album Los Ángeles, which showcased her deep appreciation for flamenco. However, it was El Mal Querer (2018) that truly catapulted Rosalía to international stardom. The album, a conceptual narrative based on the 13th-century Occitan novel Flamenca, tells the story of a woman’s journey through love, jealousy, and liberation. Each track corresponds to a chapter in the novel, blending flamenco with modern urban sounds to create something entirely new. Rosalía also released visually stunning music videos for many of the tracks, creating an immersive experience that invited deep analysis. This approach to videography helped distinguish her as not just a musician but a visionary artist.
Rosalía’s ability to fuse her Catalan and Spanish heritage with modern, urban genres has made her a trailblazer. In a genre often dominated by male voices, she has redefined flamenco and Spanish music, incorporating feminist themes and challenging the traditional roles of women in the genre (and in Spanish society as a whole). Her music and visuals reflect a blend of reverence for Spanish culture with a rebellious desire to subvert its conventions, making her an inspiring figure for younger generations of artists and fans alike.
In 2022, Rosalía took her experimentation even further with Motomami, embracing reggaeton, Latin trap, and experimental pop, while still weaving in elements of flamenco. Tracks like "Saoko" and "La Fama" (featuring The Weeknd) demonstrated her versatility and bold approach to music, earning both critical and commercial success. Her fearless blending of genres and cultures continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music.
Alongside her solo work, Rosalía has collaborated with top artists such as J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and Travis Scott. Songs like "Con Altura" with J Balvin and "TKN" with Travis Scott highlighted her ability to cross over into global pop and reggaeton, further cementing her position as a global star.
Rosalía’s career is a testament to her ability to challenge expectations within flamenco and Spanish music, creating a space for herself that is entirely original. By combining her cultural heritage with modern global sounds, Rosalía continues to inspire and reshape the future of music.
Discover Rosalía's music below (links open on external pages/platforms):
*Note, some of the content of the linked songs/videos is explicit.
Click here to open Rosalía's Spotify Artist page.
Click here to test your listening skills with Rosalía's Lyricstraining Artist page.
Below are YouTube links to some of our favourite Rosalía songs:
Discover more with her YouTube Artist page here.