The Colombian singer-songwriter KAROL G has kicked doors open for women in reggaetón and Latin trap—without breaking a perfectly manicured nail. Born Carolina Navarro, she released her first music at age 16 but didn’t nail down global attention until 2017’s Unstoppable, a statement of Latin trap that established her as both an excellent singer and a rapper with a cool and collected flow. Then came collabs with J Balvin—on a remix of “Mi Cama,” complete with a hook that’s part EDM and part Jersey club—and Nicki Minaj, on the slinky “Tusa.” Soon, she was well known for mixing next-level trap, dance music, and ballads. Navarro has continued to choose her creative partners wisely, linking up with California pop singer Becky G on 2022’s “MAMIII” and fellow Colombian star Shakira on 2023’s “TQG.” On 2024’s “+57,” she enlisted repeat collaborators Ovy On the Drums and J Balvin alongside Colombian singers Feid and DFZM to salute the country’s culture (and international calling code). Yet, she’s just as effective on her own, gliding through 2024’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” with romantic lightness.