Rosalía
Spanish singer-songwriter known for genre-bending flamenco-pop and urban music.
Rosalía Vila Tobella (born 25 September 1992), known mononymously as Rosalía, is a Spanish singer-songwriter and actress. She has been described as an "atypical pop star" due to her genre-bending musical style. After being enthralled by Spanish folk music at age 14, she studied musicology at the Catalonia College of Music and graduated in 2017.
- Album Appearance
- Los Ángeles (2017), El mal querer (2018), Motomami (2022)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Rosalía was born in 1992 at a hospital in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Catalonia, and raised in Sant Esteve Sesrovires. She began her musical education at the Taller de Músics, where she completed a six-year course, then attended the Raval school before transferring to the Superior School of Music of Catalonia, graduating in 2017. Her debut collaborative cover album with Raül Refree, Los Ángeles (2017), reached its peak position of number nine on the Spanish albums chart. Her second album El mal querer (2018) reimagined flamenco with pop and hip-hop, spawning singles "Malamente" and "Pienso en tu mirá". She has won two Grammy Awards, eleven Latin Grammy Awards (including two Album of the Year wins), a BRIT Award, four MTV Video Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, three UK Music Video Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and two Premio Ruido awards.
In Their Own Story
The ascent to global stardom accelerated with the release of El mal querer on November 2, 2018. The album debuted at number two on the PROMUSICAE chart and was hailed by critics like Alexis Petridis of The Guardian for its experimental nature. Singles "Malamente" and "Pienso en tu mirá" caught the attention of figures like Kourtney Kardashian and Dua Lipa, with the latter's video reaching social media virality. In 2019, Rosalía shifted toward urbano music with "Con altura" and "Yo x ti, tú x mí," achieving global success before releasing her third studio album, Motomami, in 2022. Motomami departed from her new flamenco sound to explore reggaeton with an experimental twist, featuring singles like "La Fama," "Saoko," and "Despechá." It became the best-reviewed album of the year on Metacritic. Her fourth album, Lux (2025), further broke records as a Spanish-speaking female artist by fusing art pop with classical elements. Throughout her career, she has accumulated thirteen number-one singles in Spain, won two Grammy Awards and eleven Latin Grammys, and became the first Spanish-singing act nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys.
Reader's Guide
Rosalía's discography includes Los Ángeles (2017), El mal querer (2018), Motomami (2022), and Lux (2025). She has accumulated thirteen number-ones in Spain, the most for a local female artist. In 2019, Billboard gave her the Rising Star Award, and she became the first Spanish-singing act nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys.
Did You Know?
- Rosalía completed her studies with honours by virtue of her debut album Los Ángeles and her baccalaureate second album El mal querer.
- Los Ángeles reached its peak position of number nine on the Spanish albums chart.
- She has won four MTV Video Music Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rosalía?
She is a Spanish singer-songwriter and actress born in 1992 who transformed traditional flamenco by integrating elements of pop and hip-hop. After graduating from the Catalonia College of Music, she launched her career with Los Ángeles.
What defines Rosalía's musical role?
Her influence lies in blending traditional Spanish sounds with modern urbano music to redefine global pop standards. Critics often note that she does not fit the standard mold of a mainstream celebrity, instead prioritizing artistic innovation.
How does Rosalía's story end?
Since she is still active, there is no final chapter yet as she continues to release new projects like Lux in 2025. Her ongoing work ensures her legacy evolves with the changing landscape of global pop music.
Why is Rosalía important?
She gained international attention for critical acclaim and multiple Latin Grammy Awards, establishing herself as an atypical pop star. Her unique style influences the broader urbano genre where artists like Bad Bunny operate.
Which albums are essential to her discography?
Key works include Los Ángeles, El mal querer, Motomami, and the upcoming Lux. These projects showcase her collaboration with producers like Raül Refree and el Guincho to create distinct sonic landscapes.
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