If you’ve been listening to any type of pop music lately, odds are you’ve come across Rosalía…
The Spanish starlet has virtually taken over all corners of mainstream music over the past couple of years, her unique brand of all-Spanish tunes tapping into an unspoken desire for Latin flare in pop culture. It’s been a wild ride for the 29-year-old, one that includes three studio albums (the latest of which being MOTOMAMI), 21 singles and several Grammys. It’s definitely Rosalía’s time right now, and contrary to most other artists that blow up this quickly, we don’t see her leaving the spotlight any time soon.
So, we decided to take a trip down memory lane to revisit the many firsts of Rosalía’s eclectic career, and how they’ve together culminated in MOTOMAMI. But before that, join us as we dive into the new record below.
Starting things off with ‘SAOKO’, Rosalía lets us know from the jump that her signature sass and badassery hasn’t left her, singing and rapping over a hard-hitting beat with a fiery bass beneath it. It definitely puts you on notice for what you’re in for over the next hour, and thankfully, MOTOMAMI keeps up the level of quality and then some throughout its tracklisting.
But this isn’t just an album full of attitude and fire, but Rosalía lets us in on the softer sides of her persona as well, especially on ‘LA FAMA’. Backed by a gentle beat, Rosalía really shines on this number. Not just vocally but emotionally as well, and with The Weeknd’s accompanying verse, well, let’s just say the track is the literal embodiment of honey. Sweet beyond belief.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-CEd6xrRQc
There’s no doubt that ‘CHICKEN TERIYAKI’ has been one of the standout singles in the lead up to MOTOMAMI, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you listen to the album in full. Following the gentleness of ‘LA FAMA’ and the balladry of previous track ‘BULERIA’, it’s a welcome return to the fiery power that defines Rosalía’s artistry. Backed by a driving beat and warbling synths, Rosalía really shines as an MC on this deep cut, and we can see why it was one of the lead singles to promote the album.
Possibly one of, if not the, most intimate track on the album, ‘GENIS’, shows Rosalía at her most vulnerable. Singing with some melancholic synths behind her with the occasional autotuned harmony, Rosalía goes a step beyond her usual ballads as she dips into the gospel realm, church organs manifesting throughout the middle of the tune’s runtime. It’s an emotional peak she handles gracefully, and is just another example of her range as a songwriter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG4gq9fCoRE
There’s no way you can do an album review without mentioning the title track, but thankfully, ‘MOTOMAMI’ is such a standout that it’s deserving of its own nod anyway. This is one of the slightly weirder tracks (or should we say interludes) on the album, a description by no means meant as an insult. Made up of a warped bass, eerie horns and anxiety-inducing piano rolls (again, not an insult), it might just be the most out-there offering on the album. But of course, Rosalía’s vocals make the track, matching the changing moods and sentiments it espouses with total ease.
‘CUUUTE’ might just have the most badass beat switch not just on MOTOMAMI, but in all recorded history. Starting off totally frenzied and hard-hitting, the track listens as another classic Rosalía heater. That is before the transition into the full gospel vibes in the middle of the fast-paced, Rosalía flexing her range atop a lone piano as she takes you from a bumping underground rave to a Sunday church service. But of course, the sermon doesn’t last forever, and Rosalía quickly launches back into the stankfest that is the first part of ‘CUUUTE’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHvhnnMa7Dc
An album closer can make or break a record, and it’s safe to say Rosalía hit the nail on the head with ‘SAKURA’. It’s a good embodiment of all of the emotions on MOTOMAMI. Passion, elegance, attitude and versatility. After listening to it though our desires have been set in stone: we need the next album from Rosalía to be entirely ballad/gospel-based. No ifs, no buts.
Now, join us as we take a look at Rosalía’s journey to MOTOMAMI, and all the firsts she had along the way.
Appearance on Spanish talent show at 15 years old
Okay, we’d all be lying if we said we hadn’t tried our hand at singing when we were in our teenage years, the occasional school concert or local musical theatre club playing host to some of the best (but more worst) vocal performances in existence. But how many of us can say we started on TV!? At 15 years old?! Sadly there doesn’t appear to be any video of it online, but we’ve got the next best thing. Check it below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1xSQCJ77kc
Best new artist nomination at the Latin Grammys
Once Rosalía made a name for herself in the world of Spanish music, inevitably the Latin Grammy’s came calling. By this time she already released her debut album Los Angeles and had peaked at number 9 on the Spanish charts, so she was already a big deal. But still, a best new artist nod at the Latin Grammy’s that early on in her career was no mean feat. Sadly, the award went to Nella that year, but, she returned a year later and cleaned up for 2018’s El Mal Querer, including taking home the award for ‘Album of the year.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZdnizgp42s
First number one single in Spain
Not one to be deterred by her loss for Best New Artist at the Grammys, Rosalía continued to climb and soar throughout the ranks of Spanish music, ultimately achieving her first number-one single for ‘Di Mi Nombre’. Of course, any artist’s first number-one single is a special occasion, but just witnessing the level of artistic flair and the star power Roslia radiated in that iconic music video, it’s safe to say we couldn’t imagine a better first number-one single for a young artist on the rise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUBMPaj0L3o
Co-star with Penelope Cruz
Not one to limit herself to just music, Rosalía made her film debut in 2019’s Pain and Glory (‘Dolor Y Gloria’) alongside Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. No doubt she had just a bit of pressure on her, acting opposite the two Spanish and Hollywood heavyweights. But judging by her scene with Cruz below, it’s safe to say she’s a natural on the big screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mllwsn87VPc
First single with J Balvin
Balvin is pretty much considered the GOAT when it comes to Latin dance/pop music, so releasing a single with the man himself was another huge W for the then 27-year-old. And no surprises here, but ‘Con Altura’ is funky, fresh and riveting. And dare we say Rosalía outshines both J Balvin and feature artist El Guincho, easily being the standout artist on the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7bfOZek9t4
First Spanish Language Artist to perform at the Grammys
Well, this was just totally heartwarming to watch hey? To top off a career of firsts, Rosalía took to the Grammy stage earlier this year with equal measures of grace and star-power as she performed a medley of tunes for the crowd early last year. Just to make that transition from the Latin Grammys to the US version in two years is virtually unheard of. Don’t get me wrong, J. Balvin got bloody close with his Bieber collab ‘Despacito’, but no one has done it on the level Rosalía has done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvtOVNa6en8
‘Melamente’ feature in ‘Euphoria’
Euphoria is arguably the biggest show not just on Earth right now, but in pop culture, and Rosalía landing a feature in it in the form of ‘Melamente’ is no mean feat, and is the perfect way to top off this list. And look, Zendaya is a fantastic actor and her monologue about opiates in this scene was top tier, but again, Rosalía steals the show here, and after reading through this article, are you even surprised?
