KG0516 is the third studio album by Colombian singer Karol G. It was released on March 25, 2021, through Universal Music Latino.[1] Comprising sixteen tracks, the album is primarily a reggaeton record and features guest appearances by Mariah Angeliq, Camilo, Anuel AA, J Balvin, Nathy Peluso, Ozuna, Yandar & Yostin, Juanka, Brray, Ludacris, Emilee, Nicki Minaj, Wisin & Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ivy Queen, Zion and Alberto Stylee.

KG0516
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 25, 2021
Recorded2019–2021
Genre
Length58:10
LanguageSpanish
LabelUniversal Latino
ProducerOvy on the Drums
Karol G chronology
Ocean
(2019)
KG0516
(2021)
Mañana Será Bonito
(2023)
Singles from KG0516
  1. "Tusa"
    Released: November 7, 2019
  2. "Ay, Dios Mio!"
    Released: July 9, 2020
  3. "Bichota"
    Released: October 23, 2020
  4. "Location"
    Released: February 11, 2021
  5. "El Makinón"
    Released: March 25, 2021
  6. "El Barco"
    Released: May 11, 2021
  7. "200 Copas"
    Released: July 13, 2021

KG0516 was supported by seven singles: "Tusa" with Nicki Minaj, "Ay, Dios Mio!", "Bichota", "Location" with Anuel AA and J Balvin, "El Makinón" with Mariah Angeliq, "El Barco" and "200 Copas".

The album was met with generally positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success. It debuted inside the top twenty on the US Billboard 200 and atop the US Top Latin Albums.

The recipient of several accolades, KG0516 received a Grammy nomination for Best Música Urbana at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, becoming her first Grammy nomination. Its songs also garnered three nominations at the 21st and 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, winning the Latin Grammy Award for Best Reggaeton Performance for "Bichota".

Background

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Following the release of her second studio album in 2019, Ocean, Karol G released "China" with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and J Balvin.

On November 6, 2019, Karol G announced the release for "Tusa" with Nicki Minaj through her social media accounts.[2] The song was released the following day on November 7, 2019, as the album's lead single. On April 1, 2019, "Follow" with Anuel AA was released as stand alone single. Following the success of "Tusa", Karol G stated she was ready to embark on a world tour, but due to the varying international lockdowns, as safety against COVID-19, these plans were momentarily postponed after just one show.[3]

"Ay, Dios Mio!" was announced and released on July 9, 2020, as the second single.[4] On August 17, 2020, Karol G joined Ozuna and Myke Towers on a remix for "Caramelo". On October 23, 2020, "Bichota" was released as the album's third single. "Location" alongside Anuel AA and J Balvin was released on February 11, 2021, as the fourth and last single prior to the release of the album.

On March 16, 2021, Karol G announced via a half-minute video the release date of the album alongside its title, while the cover art, which was photographed by David LaChapelle, was released the next day.[5] The album's track list was revealed the following week, featuring guest appearances from Mariah Angeliq, Camilo, Anuel AA, J Balvin, Nathy Peluso, Ozuna, Yandar & Yostin, Juanka, Brray, Ludacris, Emilee, Nicki Minaj, Wisin & Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ivy Queen, Zion and Alberto Stylee. KG0516 was officially released on March 25, 2021, alongside the album's fifth single, "El Makinón" with Mariah Angeliq.[1]

Title

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The title KG0516 references a combination of digits, dates, and initials, recalling the moment Karol G and her parents signed her first major contract under her stage name.

In an interview with Variety, Karol G explained how the name came to be:

My parents signed a contract on my behalf on May 16th, 2006 and that was the first time that my name as Karol G was written.[3]

Release and promotion

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The album was released on March 25, 2021, through Universal Music Latino. It was released on CD, vinyl, digital download and streaming.

"Tusa" was performed for the first time on December 8, 2019, at Pixel 4's Motion Sense Concert Series.[6] On January 10, 2020, Karol G made her debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with "Tusa".[7] On August 13, 2020, "Ay, Dios Mío!" was performed for the first time at the 17th Annual Premios Juventud. On September 10, an acoustic live version of the song was uploaded on YouTube. "Bichota" was performed for the first time on November 8, 2020, at the 27th Annual MTV Europe Music Awards. On November 19, 2020, at the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards, "Tusa" was performed.[8] On March 24, 2021, "El Barco" was performed for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. "El Makinón" alongside "Bichota" were performed at the 28th Annual Billboard Music Awards on May 23, 2021.[9] On May 27, 2021, Karol G performed "El Makinón", "200 Copas" and "Contigo Voy a Muerte", the very first for the latter two, at the Tiny Desk Concerts. "200 Copas" was performed at the 18th Annual Premios Juventud on July 22, 2021. In collaboration with Billboard and energy drink Rockstar, Karol G performed "Bichota", "Ay, Dios Mío!", "El Barco", and "DVD" for the Summer Spotlight concert series on September 15, 2021.[10] On October 27, 2021, Karol G embarked on the Bichota Tour, which lasted all through June 21, 2022. Multiple songs from KG0516, among others, were performed. On March 23, 2022, "El Barco" was performed at the Billboard Women in Music.[11] From September 6, 2022 to November 2, 2022, Karol G embarked on the Strip Love Tour, which became the highest grossing tour by a Latin female act in the United States, late surpassed by her own Mañana Será Bonito Tour.[12] On February 19, 2023, Karol G was the headlining act for Viña Del Mar International Song Festival, where multiple songs from KG0516 were performed.

Singles

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"Tusa" with Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj was released on November 7, 2019, as the album's lead single. The song reached the top spot in the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs and reached the top 50 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, at number 42. It was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards.

"Ay, Dios Mío!" was released on July 9, 2020, as the album's second single. It peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also peaked inside the top 5 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs.

"Bichota" was released as the album's third single on October 23, 2020. It reached the top 80 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, at number 72. It also peaked inside the top 3 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs. It won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Reggaeton Performance at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards.

"Location" was released on February 11, 2021, as the album's fourth single. It reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs at number 6.

"El Makinón" was released on March 25, 2021, as the album's fifth single. It reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs.

"El Barco" was released on May 11, 2021, as the album's sixth single. It reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs.

"200 Copas" was released as the album's seventh and final single on July 13, 2021. It reached the top 30 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [13]

KG0516 was praised by Thom Jurek from AllMusic, who praised Giraldo's ability to blend in multiple genres, stating, "KG0516 establishes Karol G as a visionary; she pushes hard at urbano's boundaries, blending them into the pop multiverse, only to bring the album's many dimensions to heel under reggaeton's dominance."

Commercial performance

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During the first day of release on Spotify, KG0516 broke the record for biggest debut for a Spanish-language album by a woman. The album also debuted at number one on the Top Albums Debut Global Chart.[14]

United States

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KG0516 debuted at number one on the US Top Latin Albums chart, earning 24,000 album-equivalent units (including 4,000 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.[15] The album also debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the US Latin Rhythm Albums charts respectively.[15] This became Karol G's first number one debut on the Latin charts and her highest-charting album to date on the Billboard 200.[15] In addition, the album also accumulated a total of 27.4 million on-demand streams from its songs.[15]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations for KG0516
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2021 Premios Juventud Album of the Year Nominated [16]
American Music Awards Favorite Album – Latin Nominated [17]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Música Urbana Album Nominated [18]
Billboard Music Awards Top Latin Album Won [19]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Latin Pop/Reggaeton Album of the Year Won [20]
Latin American Music Awards Album of the Year Won [21]
Favorite Urban Album Won
Premios Juventud Album of the Year Won [22]
Premios Lo Nuestro Album of the Year Nominated [23]
Urban Album of the Year Nominated
Premios Tu Música Urbano Album of the Year - Female Artist Won [24]
Billboard Latin Music Awards Top Latin Album of the Year Nominated [25]
Latin Rhythm Album of the Year Nominated

Track listing

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All songs produced by Ovy on the Drums, except where noted.

KG0516 track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Déjalos Que Miren"
2:47
2."El Makinón" (with Mariah Angeliq)
  • Giraldo
  • Mariah Pérez
  • Gabriel Mora
  • Freddy Montalvo
  • Jose Cruz
Neo3:29
3."200 Copas"
  • Giraldo
  • Daniel Félix
  • Echavarría
  • Ovy on the Drums
  • Karol G
3:37
4."Contigo Voy a Muerte" (featuring Camilo)
 3:39
5."DVD"
  • Giraldo
  • Echavarría
 3:18
6."El Barco"
  • Giraldo
  • Jorge Muñiz
  • Echavarría
  • Ovy on the Drums
  • Karol G
3:23
7."Location" (with Anuel AA and J Balvin)
 4:23
8."Gato Malo" (with Nathy Peluso)
 3:45
9."Odisea" (with Ozuna)
 3:43
10."Bichota"
  • Giraldo
  • Gazmey
  • González
  • Quiles
  • Cristian Salazar
  • Echavarría
 2:58
11."Sola Es Mejor" (with Yandar & Yostin)
  • Giraldo
  • Oscar Gutiérrez
  • Juan Castañeda
  • Anderson Arrelan
  • Echavarría
  • Gutiérrez
  • Ovy on the Drums
3:20
12."Arranca Pal Carajo" (with Juanka and Brray)
  • Giraldo
  • Juan Bauza
  • Bryan García
  • Echavarría
 4:06
13."Ay, Dios Mío!"
 3:09
14."Beautiful Boy" (with Ludacris and Emilee) 3:17
15."Tusa" (with Nicki Minaj)
 3:21
16."Leyendas" (with Wisin & Yandel and Nicky Jam featuring Ivy Queen, Zion, and Alberto Stylee)
5:55
Total length:58:10

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for KG0516
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[39] 4× Diamond 540,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[40] Platinum 40,000
Colombia[41] Diamond 600,000[41]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[42] 3× Diamond+Platinum 2,240,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[43] Platinum 40,000
United States (RIAA)[44] 11× Platinum (Latin) 660,000
Streaming
Central America (CFC)[45] 2× Platinum 14,000,000

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Martoccio, Angie (March 17, 2021). "Karol G Announces New Album 'KG0516'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  2. ^ G, Karol [@karolg] (November 6, 2019). "MAÑANA 🦄 9PM EST 👑 @nickiminaj ✨✨✨". Retrieved August 1, 2023 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ a b Balzano, Cata (March 29, 2021). "Is This the Most Karol G Can Do? Latin Superstar Answers Skeptics With New Album 'KG0516'". Variety. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  4. ^ G, Karol [@karolg] (July 9, 2020). "Ay, DiOs Mío! HOY 8PM HORA DE MIAMI 🤍🤍🤍". Retrieved August 1, 2023 – via Instagram.
  5. ^ "Karol G Reveals New Album Title, Release Date and Cover Art". Billboard. March 17, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Schoon, Ben (November 17, 2019). "Pixel 4's Motion Sense powered a Karol G performance". Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  7. ^ Roiz, Jessica (January 11, 2020). "Karol G Made Her Late-Night Debut With Violet 'Tusa' Performance on 'The Tonight Show': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Flores, Griselda (November 19, 2020). "Karol G Re-Creates 'Tusa' Video for Show-Stopping 2020 Latin Grammys Performance". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Roiz, Jessica (May 23, 2021). "Karol G Performs 'Bichota' & 'El Makinon' in 2021 Billboard Music Awards Debut". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Billboard Staff (September 15, 2021). "Karol G. Brought the Heat to the Rockstar Energy Drink Summer Spotlight Concert Series". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (March 3, 2022). "Karol G Honored With Rule Breaker Award at 2022 Billboard Women in Music". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  12. ^ Flores, Griselda (November 9, 2022). "Gira de Karol G por EEUU es la más taquillera de la historia para una artista latina". Billboard (in Spanish). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  13. ^ Jurek, Thom. "KG0516 - Karol G | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Gomez, Shirley (March 30, 2021). "KAROL G BREAKS THE RECORD FOR THE BIGGEST DEBUT IN HISTORY FOR A SPANISH ALBUM BY A LATINA". ¡Hola!. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d Pamela Bustios (May 5, 2021). "Karol G Feeling 'Joy & Motivation' Over Her First Top Latin Albums Chart-Topper 'KG0516'". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  16. ^ Flores, Griselda (July 23, 2021). "2021 Premios Juventud Winners: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  17. ^ "2021 Winners". American Music Awards. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List". www.grammy.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ^ Atkinson, Katie (May 15, 2022). "Here Are the 2022 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners". iHeart. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "Conoce a los ganadores de los Latin AMAs 2022 [Lista completa]". TELEMUNDO.com (in Spanish). Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Flores, Griselda (July 22, 2022). "2022 Premios Juventud Winners: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ^ LOS40 (February 25, 2022). "Lista de ganadores Premios Lo Nuestro 2022: Bad Bunny, Karol G y CNCO, los grandes triunfadores". LOS40 (in Spanish). Retrieved September 26, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "Conoce a todos los ganadores de los Premios Tu Música Urbano 2022". TELEMUNDO.com (in Spanish). Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  25. ^ Flores, Griselda (August 18, 2022). "Bad Bunny Tops 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  26. ^ "Lescharts.com – Karol G – KG0516". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  27. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 13 (dal 26.3.2021 al 1.4.2021)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Karol G – KG0516". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  29. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Karol G – KG0516". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Karol G – KG0516". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  31. ^ "Karol G Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  32. ^ "Karol G Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "Karol G Chart History (Latin Rhythm Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Albums Annual 2021". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  35. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  36. ^ "Top Latin Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  37. ^ "Top 100 Albums Annual 2022". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  38. ^ "Top 100 Albums Yearly". El portal de Música. Promusicae. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  39. ^ "Universal con Karol G en Buenos Aires: Dos sold outs y galardones de Platino y Diamante" (PDF). Prensario Música (in Spanish). No. 586. June 2022. p. 32. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  40. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Karol G – KG0516" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Karol G recibe certificado de diamante por 'KG0516'" [Karol G receives diamond certificate for 'KG0516'] (in Spanish). Estación 40. November 30, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  42. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved June 29, 2022. Type Karol G in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and KG0516 in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  43. ^ "Spanish album certifications – Karol G – KG0516". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  44. ^ "American album certifications – Karol G – KG0516". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  45. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Certificación Fonográfica Centroamericana. Retrieved May 7, 2022.