Enfnts Terribles

The 26-year-old Spanish sensation Rosalía has been blowing up big time. She was nominated for four awards at MTV’s 2019 VMA’s and copped two statues for “Con Altura”, her hit collaboration with J Balvin. A big achievement in her career, but to us, the real tipping point was the performance of her newest single “Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi” with Ozuna. She managed to deliver one of the most exciting acts by a new artist that we have seen in this sad award show in recent history. Not only that, she showed everyone watching that she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Flamenco

Rosalía got her start in 2008 when she participated in the Spanish talent TV-show Tú Sí Que Vales. Sadly enough, she didn’t win. However, it planted the seed for her musical career. Many years later, she went on to study flamenco. She was taught by one of the most prestigious names in the genre, José Miguel ‘El Chiqui’ Vizcaya, who only accepts one student at a time. He turned out to be a key figure for the singer and influences her music still to this day.

She released her first album Los Ángeles in 2017, right after graduating. “Flamenco inspiration is, above all, the frame I compose my music within,” Rosalía told Dazed in an interview. She continued to put the genre first, but started experimenting with new sounds. That resulted in her second album El mal querer, which she dropped in 2018. The lead single “Malamente” turned out to be her big break.

Success

Something to admire about her success is that she’s done it all on her own. “I compose, produce and arrange. I don’t just perform. I’m playing keyboards, bass, doing everything. At the end of the day, I’m the one working my fingers to the bone,” she told Pitchfork. Both of her albums were written and recorded without the help of a record label. That says a lot about her work ethic, but also about her talents as a musician.

But there’s SO. MUCH. MORE. to talk about, like her angelic voice, or her amazing sense of fashion. And it does get people talking, even the biggest of the industry are in love with her. Earlier this year, she got in the studio with Billie freaking Eilish, a collaboration we literally cannot wait to hear.

Superstar

So, in conclusion, what is it exactly that makes Rosalía a superstar on the rise? Not only is she a huge innovator, she’s also a very talented performer and incredible vocalist. She comes across as genuine and not to forget that she’s vocal about important issues like body positivity and equality. Take all of these things, and a star is born. Believe us when we say: you haven’t seen the last of her yet.

Photos: instagram @rosalia.vt