On March 6, the Colombian music sensation Karol G received the esteemed Woman of the Year award at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards, marking an historic event as she becomes the first artist who predominantly records in Spanish to achieve this honor since its inception in 2007. This accolade is a nod to her significant contributions and influence in the music industry.

Hailing from Medellín, this artist has not just broken records; she has also firmly established her presence in the realm of Latin music and its wider global context. She has charted 30 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including a top 10 hit, “TQG,” in collaboration with Shakira. However, it is on the Hot Latin Songs chart where her success shines brightest, with an unparalleled 63 entries - the most by any female artist. Her track record includes 26 top 10 hits and eight No. 1 singles, with songs like “MAMIII” featuring Becky G, “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj, and “Provenza” underscoring her chart dominance.

Karol G is ranked third among female artists with the most No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, following Gloria Estefan, who leads with 15, and Shakira, with 13.

Billboard’s editorial director, Hannah Karp, praised her, saying, “With her immense talent, Karol G has created a movement for women across the globe due to her empowering lyrics and inspiring confidence. The release of her groundbreaking album 'Mañana Será Bonito' has proven her a force to be reckoned with on both the English and Spanish charts. We are so excited to honor her as Woman of the Year.”

Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español, remarked on Karol G's global appeal, stating, “Karol G has become a global superstar performing in Spanish. It shows that music and artistry are not bound by language or borders, and Billboard recognizes that. This is truly a historic moment for the brand and for Latin music.”

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she dedicated her accolades to actress Sofia Vergara, expressing, “First of all, it’s an amazing surprise that Sofia Vergara is presenting this award to me; I adore it. Buenas noches a todos. I’m profoundly honored to be standing here today. Oh my God, [this] may be the most pivotal and meaningful accolade of my entire career, making it extraordinarily special. Being named Woman of the Year is an honor, but being the first Latina to receive this title makes it even more significant. Naturally, I must deliver my speech in Spanish.”

She went on to discuss the theme of the event, “This is Women in Music, so let’s talk about our experiences. I must begin by confessing that for many years, I felt disheartened by the mere fact of being a woman. I encountered countless rejections and missed opportunities on my journey. Such experiences led me to question why I wasn’t born a man, to fully embrace and utilize this love, this zeal, and passion I harbored for music.

I pondered where all my ambition to conquer the world would end up, given the preconceived notion that, as a woman, I was not supposed to achieve it. For too long, I bought into that narrative, believing that this path wasn’t meant for me. Time and again, I faced people telling me I couldn’t make it, making me reflect on the countless individuals who abandon their dreams due to others’ perceptions rather than their own aspirations and inner drive."

She continued her powerful message of resilience, “Amid my fervent wish to create music, even if solely for myself, I resolved that if my surroundings wouldn’t change, I had to be the catalyst for change. I refused to let my gender act as a barrier or define what I was capable of; instead, it would be my strength, my motivation, and my justification.

Each time I encountered a ‘no,’ I discovered within me the strength, the eagerness, and everything required to assert; yes, I can. In my mindset, I transformed the notion that ‘a woman can’t do it’ into ‘observe how this woman accomplishes it, witness a woman achieving it.’”