Karol G’s just-announced signing with Interscope Records had been rumored for months in Miami music circles, as far back as the release of her record-making album Mañana Será Bonito last February.
So when Interscope finally announced the signing on Monday, after what sources describe as a “lengthy” and complex negotiation, it wasn’t entirely surprising. However, new information indicates this is no ordinary record deal.
According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Karol G, whose real name is Carolina Giraldo Navarro, will actually be releasing music under her own imprint, Bichota Records, and will be distributed by Interscope and worked by the label. Moving forward, she will own her masters as well.
“It is one of the most ambitious deals signed by a Latin artist in recent memory,” says the source, who also said the deal is “valued at almost $100 million.”
The arrangement marks a departure from Karol G’s previous recording deal with Universal Music Latino, and seems to be more aligned with her manager Noah Assad‘s independent mentality. Assad’s other superstar client, Bad Bunny, records under indie Rimas and is distributed by The Orchard.
Karol G’s move from Latin label to mainstream label is still fairly uncommon, even at a time when Latin music’s success is growing to unprecedented levels both globally and in the United States. It follows news from April that Brazilian star Anitta signed with Republic Records, but also work with Universal Music Latin Entertainment. While stars who are signed to major labels have historically released their music jointly between Latin and mainstream labels, according to language — Shakira long released her English albums on Epic and her Spanish language albums on via Sony Music Latin, for example, and Enrique Iglesias released both on Interscope and Universal Music Latin — Karol G’s recordings will fall entirely under Interscope’s purview, with the label promoting and marketing her to both English and Spanish-language markets.
Even though Interscope doesn’t have a Latin division per se, it has a Miami office run by Latin music veteran executive Nir Seroussi and it works Interscope’s Latin projects, which also include Kali Uchis and Cuco.
Karol G’s signing to Interscope — much as with Anitta’s Republic signing — signals the Latin superstar’s intent to break into a mainstream U.S. audience and expand her brand globally even more than she has already. And although she has recorded in English in the past (in the track “Don’t Be Shy” with Tiësto) there are no immediate plans to release English language music right now, sources say.
“I’m continuously amazed at the support my fans give me, which motivates me to deliver the best of me, and I’m certain that this partnership with Interscope and their incredible team will help us continue building and making history,” said Karol G in a statement announcing the deal. “I’m thrilled to see what’s to come.”
