A lot has happened since Mariah Angeliq became a household name with her saucy 2019 single “Perreito.” In only two years, the Miami-based artist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent captured the attention of her colleagues, landing major collaborations with Arcangel and Anuel AA, to name a few.
In March, Mariah, dubbed “La Princesa de Miami,” joined forces with Karol G on “El Makinon,” a focus track from Karol’s KG0516 album. “It has definitely made my career grow,” Mariah tells Billboard, explaining that the Colombian star began supporting her music on social media before extending an invite to work together.
“This song has a lot of elements that identify me and that’s why I believe Karol wanted to do the song with me,” she recalls. “I was sharing my story when we were writing the song and I mentioned that I ran away at 16 to chase my dreams, so for sure, that’s why the song makes reference to that. Karol’s the same. She’s a fighter and she’s been working hard for her dreams since she was young. That’s why we connected on this song.”
“El Makinon,” slang for a big machine, also earned Mariah her first No. 1 on any Billboard chart when it topped the Latin Airplay chart dated June 5, becoming only the third female pairing to rule since the chart’s inception in 1994.
“Everything happened so quickly,” Mariah recalls. “I’m super happy because what’s better than to collaborate with one of the most important women in the industry? I took this as a blessing.”
Now, three months later, and on the heels of her latest single “Mala de Verdad,” Mariah continues to demonstrate that union is strength, reeling in urbana newcomers Mariah Becerra and Bad Gyal for “Bobo.”
“This song is going to make a big impact in the industry because we’re three girls,” she affirms.
Co-produced by DJ Chino and her longtime producer Nely El Arma Secreta, “Bobo” gives TLC’s ’90s anthem “No Scrubs” a reggaeton twist with a touch of Mariah’s perreo, Becerra’s urban-pop sounds, and Bad Gyal’s dancehall vibes. Mariah does not hesitate to describe it as a “lit” collab overall.
“Honestly, I have loved this song since I was little,” she says. “I love R&B, and I think that’s one of the reasons that when Chino presented the idea to me I said, ‘Hell yeah!’ because I have that music in my soul.”
Up next, Mariah tells Billboard that she is working on a full-length album and has 40 to 50 dates confirmed for an upcoming tour that will soon be announced.
Watch the music video for “Bobo” below:
