Rosalia (singer) life and biography

Rosalía: From Flamenco Roots to Global Stardom

Rosalia Vila Tobella (born September 25, 1992), better known as Rosalía, is a renowned Spanish singer, songwriter, producer, and musician. Hailing from Sant Cugat del Vallès in Catalonia, Rosalía has been celebrated for her unique fusion of flamenco with pop, urban, and hip-hop genres, earning her the title of an "atypical pop star" in modern music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Rosalía grew up in a Catalan-speaking family with no artistic background, yet she showed a passion for the performing arts from an early age. Her interest in flamenco was sparked after discovering the discography of Camarón de la Isla at 13. This fascination led her to study at Taller de Músics and later the Catalonia College of Music, where she graduated with honors. Rosalía supported herself during these years by performing in bars and weddings, all while developing her sound by collaborating with underground Spanish artists.

Breakthrough with Los Ángeles and El Mal Querer

Rosalía’s first major project, the album Los Ángeles (2017), created alongside Raül Refree, showcased her deep connection to traditional flamenco while pushing its boundaries. However, it was her follow-up album, El Mal Querer (2018), that catapulted her to international fame. A bold reimagining of flamenco blended with pop and hip-hop, the album featured singles like "Malamente" and "Pienso en tu mirá" and garnered universal critical acclaim. It won several Latin Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and was listed among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Global Success and Reinvention: Motomami

In 2019, Rosalía's music took a new turn with hits like "Con altura" and "Yo x ti, tú x mí", where she experimented with reggaeton and urbano styles. She continued to innovate with her third studio album Motomami (2022), which departed from her earlier flamenco sound and embraced a more experimental, global approach. The album’s standout singles, including "La Fama", "Saoko", and "Despechá", cemented her reputation as a groundbreaking artist. Motomami was lauded by critics and became the best-reviewed album of 2022 on Metacritic.

2020–Present: Collaborations and Motomami

Rosalía began recording sessions for her third studio album as early as 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic led her to relocate to Miami, where she continued to work on the album. Despite the challenging circumstances, she lent her vocals to several high-profile collaborations. In September 2020, she appeared on the remix of Sech's Relación alongside Daddy Yankee, Farruko, and J Balvin, which earned her a second Billboard Hot 100 entry, peaking at 64. Her collaboration with Bad Bunny on La Noche de Anoche from El Último Tour del Mundo further boosted her popularity, with the track becoming a commercial success and debuting at number two on Spotify’s global chart. A historic moment followed as the song marked the largest debut for a Spanish-language song on the platform at the time. Additionally, she teamed up with The Weeknd on a remix of his global hit Blinding Lights and later collaborated with Billie Eilish on Lo Vas a Olvidar, a song featured in Euphoria.

Her next album, Motomami, was officially announced in November 2021 and was released in March 2022 to universal acclaim. The promotion for Motomami was marked by the release of several singles, with La Fama, featuring The Weeknd, becoming a standout hit. It topped charts in Spain and performed strongly in multiple international markets. Critics widely praised the album’s experimental nature, with Pitchfork awarding it "Best New Music" and various outlets giving it perfect scores. Motomami became the most discussed album of 2022 on Metacritic and set a record on Spotify with 16.3 million streams in its debut.

Rosalía’s Motomami World Tour, which began in July 2022, further solidified her global presence. The tour visited Europe, South America, and North America, with an impressive setlist that included unreleased tracks such as Despechá, which became a global hit upon its release. She continued collaborating with artists like Romeo Santos, Niño de Elche, and Wisin & Yandel, showcasing her versatility and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

At the 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards in November 2022, Motomami won four categories, including Album of the Year, making Rosalía the first woman and sixth artist overall to win the prestigious award twice as a lead artist. Her success extended to the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, where she won Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for Motomami, though many in the media believed the album deserved a nomination for Album of the Year as well.

2023 saw Rosalía collaborating with Coca-Cola for a special edition flavor, Move, and releasing LLYLM as part of the promotion. She also released a joint EP with her then-boyfriend Rauw Alejandro titled RR, with the track Beso achieving global success. Rosalía continued to perform worldwide, including a free concert at Mexico City's Zócalo, which drew over 160,000 attendees.

In September 2023, Rosalía made headlines by signing with Jaime Levine, Shakira's former manager, after parting ways with longtime collaborator Rebeca León. She then released the charity single Oral alongside Björk in November 2023, signaling her ongoing commitment to artistic experimentation and social causes.

Accolades and Influence

Throughout her career, Rosalía has become one of Spain’s most celebrated and influential contemporary artists. She holds numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and twelve Latin Grammy Awards, making her one of the most decorated Spanish musicians in history. In 2019, she was awarded Billboard's Rising Star Award for her role in revolutionizing mainstream music with her fresh, flamenco-infused sound. Notably, she became the first artist performing predominantly in Spanish to be nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards.

Personal Life and Cultural Impact

Rosalía's success has not only made her a household name but also a symbol of cultural reinvention. Her ability to merge traditional Spanish music with contemporary global genres has influenced a new generation of musicians. Her songs have topped charts globally, and her powerful visuals and performances have made her a staple at international music festivals.

Despite her immense success, Rosalía continues to honor her Catalan roots and flamenco heritage, blending them with bold, experimental music that transcends cultural boundaries. Today, she is recognized as one of the most innovative and influential Spanish artists, with a growing global fanbase.


Music video: ROSALIA feat The Weeknd "La Fama"

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