Being a Bikota requires a lot of work, but it captivates you.
Colombian pop star Karol G, aka Rabikota (Spanish “Big Boss”) has become the dominant force of Latin music since its debut in 2017. Armed with a reggaeton trench and a weapon of friendly lyrics, singer-born Carolina Guillardo Navarro conquered the charts and was loved by a large number of fans along with confessors of the sounds of love and self-development.
This White Hot momentum reached its peak with Karol’s Mañana Cera Bonito tour. This is a global trekking that made her the first female Latin artist to embark on a stadium tour. The 34-year-old records the grit and glory of this career benchmark and journey to the top in the Netflix documentary Karol G: Tomorrow Wase Beautiful (streaming now).
“There were a lot of ups and downs and I was, ‘Oh, my God, I’m the leader.’ And I don’t know if it’s good to show a moment where you really are or no doubt about yourself,” Karol tells USA Today. “But for me, it’s really important to show the process because a lot of people are waiting for motivation and inspiration.
Despite her non-flapping stage persona, it was important that Karol abandoned the celebrity’s “social media glitter” for open discussions about the demands of the mental health, predatory grooming and entertainment industry, director Christina Costantini says.
“It’s not often I imagine that after the heroes and pop stars have finished their performances, they’re off stage and falling down and crying,” says Costantini. “When the performance is over, it’s time for a really interesting part of the story to begin.”
Karol G. on how the stadium tour gave her confidence
The Manana Cera Bonito Tour was not an easy sell for Karol, but the payoff was valuable.
Inspired by the enthusiasm of fans of her 2023 album, Mañana Será Bonito, this became the first all-Spanish album by female artists, the top of the Billboard 200, suggesting an ambitious stadium tour. The singer is just off the road from her strip love arena tour.
However, as seen in “Beautiful Tomorrow,” Karol’s team has doubts, citing the recent completion of her previous tour and the lengthy prep work that is usually necessary for going out at the stadium. Karol said, “I had this feeling because I said I had to do it. I don’t know why, but I feel that people are connected to my album in a different way.”
According to Billboard, the Mañana Será Bonito tour, which ended in July 2024, won $313.3 million, attracting 2.3 million fans from North America, Europe and Latin America. It also became the best growing Latin tour by female artists.
“It was hard for them to understand, but in the end I’m very happy that I followed my intuition,” says Karol. “Tracing my thoughts and feelings gave me more confidence. I am extremely proud of what happened and I am very grateful.”
Karol G is leveling up for her “Dream” album
For Karol, the runaway success of “Magnana Cera Bonito” is more than just a professional victory. It’s a launch pad for her next evolution.
“I’ve always been devoted to my career and music. I’m extremely passionate. But after that happened, I had to see this as a great opportunity in my life, so I had to think about the next thing,” says Karol. “Now I have this opportunity to give myself this dignity, to take myself to the highest level, to go out and show a world where I am ready to be in this position.”
That’s why the Grammy-winning diva has completed her craft for her fifth album, which has yet to be released, including honing her musical skills in the studio. Although details are scarce, the singer of “si ants te hubiera conocido” teases the multimedia experience.
“I’ve been creating something that will become my dream on the next level of Karol G,” says Karol. “It’s not just music, so I’m very excited. It’s so many different things, so I’m working on surrounding the same project through different routes.”
Why Karol G’s romance with Fade is a “blessing”
“Tomorrow is Beautiful” also peels off the curtains of romance that will help Karol swoon with Reggieton singer-songwriter Fade.
The two approached during Karol’s 2021-2022 Bikota tour after the singer made Fade her opening act. His own star, Columbian musician, 32, hit number 13 on his Ferxxxocalipsis world tour last fall on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart and Latin American Stadium on the Cross.
“There were two or three moments where we couldn’t see each other, and we understand that. “For me, it’s a blessing to have someone like him in this moment in my life and in my career.”
Musical Lovebird has previously joined forces in the studio (2021’s “Friki” and 2024’s “+57”), but Karol says that couples prefer not to mix business with joy.
“We don’t intend to put what we think in other careers, as both of our music have different emotions and different stories and even awareness,” says Karol. “But we support each other. If he needs an opinion, or if he needs an opinion, or whatever we need, we’ll be there.”
How Karol G is making history with women’s empowerment
Karol’s femininity, which she once saw as a “disability,” has transformed into her superpower.
The emergence of the singer in the reggaeton scene, along with fellow female powerhouses Nat Natasha, Becky G and Anitta, brought a girl’s power revolution into a genre once dominated by men. At the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards, Karol won the award for Best Urban Album for the second year in a row, making her the first woman to do so.
“In the beginning it was all about being a girl in this industry and why it’s not possible,” says Karol. “Like other women have opened the door for me, in this generation I am one of those trying to make a difference, which gives me a lot of incentives to continue to continue and continue to try to change the story and path.”
This woman’s perspective is apparent throughout Karol’s brand, says Costantini.
“Part of the reason she was so successful is because all the people who make decisions at the high level in her company are women and there is credibility in it,” Costantini said. “It’s all young Latina women who are pushing this thing.”
Legacy Karol G wants to keep it
Karol is far from her final act, but Elf Fro is definitely in her mind.
In one of the more introspective scenes in “Tomorrow is Beautiful,” Karol believes she will die at a young age, and believes this mentality will drive her to create as soon as possible. “I feel like I have a lot to do,” she says in Spanish.
Such a gloomy confession is almost inconsistent with the pleasant optimism of the tour and album of Magnana Cera Bonito. But perhaps for Karol, the true beauty lies in the soul she can touch while still alive.
“If someone is happy for my music, that’s the best legacy I can leave,” says Karol. “I just want to be someone who finds a little more peace in this harsh world.”