As the 2023 Billboard Music Awards approach, Colombian superstar Karol G gave fans a glimpse into her musical faves this year and the significance of her record-breaking Mañana Será Bonito album being recognized at the awards show, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET tonight.
“This year is kind of rare for me. I started looking backward to the music I used to listen to before a lot,” Karol G tells Billboard, citing Coldplay, U2 and Lana Del Rey as the artists she streamed the most this year. Delving into a deeper connection with music, she reveals, “I’m really spiritual this year … and have been listening to lyrics and music that connected more with my soul.”
She adds another streaming favorite: “Karol G! I love my music and some of my old songs, remembering my process when I started and where I am right now. It’s really beautiful.”
While discussing the significance of her music being recognized at the Billboard Music Awards, the “Qlona” hitmaker expressed, “This album is the most intimate and special in my career. I wrote these songs about really special and confident moments in my life,” she says. With her fourth studio album, Mañana Será Bonito, the Colombian superstar broke the record for the biggest debut for a Spanish-language album by a woman, landing at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart.
Karol G also underscored her determination to create a transformative experience for her audience via her first international stadium tour. “I want people to see that Karol G can do a stadium tour,” she says with enthusiasm. “I’m ready, I’m prepared, and I can bring that experience instead of just a show or an entertainment moment. It’s an experience that you go to and you [will] share energy, love, tears and happiness.
“We took moments that we thought were going to be special,” she adds of tonight’s performance. “[My fans] are part of my performance today, like in the choreo.”
A finalist for five awards including Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album and Top Latin Song, Karol G stands out as the only woman competing in multiple categories at the Billboard Music Awards 2023 presented by Marriott Bonvoy. La Bichota joins a star-studded lineup of BBMA performers that includes Mariah Carey, Bebe Rexha & David Guetta, Peso Pluma, NewJeans, Stray Kids and Morgan Wallen. It all starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT tonight.
Check back to Billboard.com throughout the night for the latest news on performances, special awards and more.
