Last year, multi-talented Colombian artist KAROL G launched her most ambitious North American run yet on the $trip Love Tour, which I was lucky to catch on opening night at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. As a Colombian who once felt astonished by seeing Shakira crossover from the elusive artist on CDs in my parent’s car to dominating Washington, DC’s Verizon Center (currently Capital One Arena) in 2006, I couldn’t help but feel the same sense of pride and excitement walking into Allstate Arena with nearly 14,000 other fans anticipating a night that would soon prove why Karol G is a cultural phenomenon & Colombia’s new it-girl.

Sporting KAROL G’s most memorable looks, like her deep red hair or the blue locks featured on multiple song covers, fans could be heard chanting their favorite verses by the Medellin-born artist as they entered the venue with arms locked, wearing matching BICHOTA t-shirts, and ready to experience an incredible night. As the show unfolded, it was clearly not only a celebration of KAROL G’s soaring career but also of her dedicated fans that have stuck with her throughout the years.

In a live setting, KAROL G and her music are simply unmatched. Captivating on stage, the singer’s alluring moves were backed by throttling dancers that put their all into the sold-out show while the surrounding production created a larger-than-life setting for the star. There were points of anticipation where you could’ve heard a pin drop only to then be met with euphoric roars as songs from her album KG0516 filled Allstate Arena. There were also other moments where fan interactions and the star floating across the arena in a blue Ferrari while singing was met with every cell phone in the room quickly recording.

Part of the appeal is that Karol G’s meteoric rise is unprecedented, and her widespread popularity is proof of it. She’s managed to break down cultural barriers with her unique blend of reggaeton and urbano music while empowering those most connected to her message and simultaneously paving the way for a new generation of artists. Already boasting highlights like “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj, “CAIRO” with Ovy on the Drums, and “PROVENZA,” KAROL G’s shows capture the multi-faceted artist in action while hearing some of the globe’s biggest contemporary hits. Variety even noted recently that “PROVENZA” was the #1 video on Vevo’s Global Top Ten Music Videos of 2022, and KAROL G was the year’s most viewed artist on Vevo with over 2.76 billion views.

Fueled by rhythm, passion, and KAROL G’s charming personality, the $trip Love Tour –her first arena tour– has become the highest-grossing U.S. tour by a Latin female act ever, according to Billboard. It’s clear KAROL G is a true force in a male-dominated genre, and after 33 sold-out shows and 410,000 tickets sold, she’s wrapping up the highly-praised tour on March 11-12, 2023, at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A groundbreaking night for fans that haven’t seen her on the island since 2021, it’ll be a night to remember for all, as KAROL G celebrates the end of her historic run.

With her new album, Mañana Será Bonito, dropping on February 24th, the March concert in Puerto Rico seals a chapter and marks the beginning of a new era. Further securing KAROL G’s status as a cultural icon and a resilient role model for a new generation of Latin artists, the 17-song album features collaborations with Bad Gyal, Sech, Quevedo, Angel Dior, Carla Morrison, Justin Quiles, and Sean Paul. Announcing the album’s release with her Romeo Santos collab “X Si Volvemos,” the project is led by “TQG,” her hotly-tipped collaboration with Shakira, and includes her hits, “PROVENZA,” “CAIRO,” and “GATÚBELA” featuring Maldy.

Her fourth studio album following the 2021 Grammy-nominated KG0516 –which scored KAROL G her first #1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums– Mañana Será Bonito, is sure to launch KAROL G into a new stratosphere of success, cementing her place as one of the biggest stars in the world. With her powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and unwavering dedication to her craft, it’s no wonder KAROL G is a cultural phenomenon and Colombia’s new it-girl.

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