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Karol G Talks Working With Nicki Minaj, Pop Smoke's Debut Album
In XXL's Summer 2021 issue, we talked to Latin trap-pop artist Karol G about working with Nicki Minaj on Tusa, being featured on Pop Smoke's debut album and more.
Colombian music star Karol G has found inspiration in hip-hop.
Interview: Bianca Torres
Editors Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now.
Latin trap-pop singer Karol G loves all types of music, but hip-hop has a special place in her heart. Born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, the 30-year-old star was an avid hip-hop head growing up. As her music career exploded, she was eager to collaborate with some rappers. In 2017, Karol dropped her two-times platinum debut album, Unstoppable. That same year, she did a remix to her breakout hit Ahora Me Llama, which featured
Migos
Quavo The record was a success, going 10-times platinum. Two years later, Karol released her huge hit Tusa featuring Nicki Minaj which has gone 35-times platinum in the U.S. alone. Most recently, Karol collaborated with Ludacrison the track Beautiful Boy, off her third album KGO516.
Here, Karol G talks about meeting Nicki Minaj, feeling like a member of G-Unit and more.
XXL: When did you start listening to hip-hop?
Karol G: I love hip-hop. Like, I was a really huge fan of Eminem, but like, really bad. The
Marshall Mathers
, thats my baby. I used to get videos from my family in the United States. In school, I used to be in love with G-Unit and have the posters and everything, the sneakers. When I was in school, my name is Carolina, they used to call me Carolina G because of G-Unit. So, when I started looking for my artist name, it was Karol G because of that.
You may have to have 50 Centon your next album.
I had something on the Pop Smoke albumcalled Enjoy Yourself. I talked to in a few messages. He was so nice. Telling me that Pop Smoke before he died, he spoke with Tyga about me being on that song and that was crazy for me, too.
Your video with Nicki for Tusa has over 1 billion views. What made you choose her for that song?
, my label told me that with Tusa, we have the No. 3 most-awarded song in the world. I never wouldve thought that I could do a song with Nicki Minaj and that song was No. 1 in the world. We started sharing messages on Instagram. She started following me, then we shared some songs. We couldnt find one that I liked and that she liked. But then, I had Tusa and I sent it to her and she loved it. Her answer was, Thats the shit I was looking for. After five hours, she sends me her verse. She recorded so fast. And after one month, we shot the video. Everything came like, super organic.
You recently worked with Ludacris. Hes on your album KG0516 as a feature on the song Beautiful Boy.
I was just looking at some videos on TikTok at night and then I watched a video of a girl. She was doing a cover of Beautiful Girls . So, I took that video and sent it to my producer. And we created a really good song. And I was there, I was like, Hey, if we put Ludacris , like how they did on Baby, the Justin Bieber song? I called my label and was like, Hey, please, I need Ludacris on this song. They put me on a video call with Ludacris. He told me, You know what, Karol? My kids are crazy with Ocean your song. And, I was like, dying because Ludacris told me his kids like my music.
Who are your favorite rappers at the moment?
I can say Pop Smoke, that album is crazy. J. Cole with that last album. Drakeis amazing, too. I love him so much. I love Travis Scott Its not just about the music, its the creativity he has. He creates different brands. One thing that I admire about him a lot is the way he creates an experience for everything.
Is there a rapper youd want to work with in the future?
I forgot to mention Kendrick Lamar fascinates me. Id like to work with Kendrick Lamar.
Check out more from XXLs Summer 2021 issue including our Freshman Class coverinterviews with 42 Dugg Iann Dior Coi Leray Pooh Shiesty Flo Milli Morray Rubi Rose Blxst Toosii Lakeyahand DDGproducer
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string(3256) "Nicki Minaj shares a message to Drake after he failed to release his For All The Dogs album By Laura Parkin For Mailonline Updated: 06:49 EDT, 1 September 2023 e-mail 50 shares 1 View comments Nicki Minaj shared a message to Drake on Thursday after he failed to drop his new album. The rapper's much-anticipated record, For All The Dogs, had been tipped for release on August 25th by Amazon Music, but has't hit the airwaves as hoped. Speaking in an Instagram live, Nicki, 40, urged Drake, 36, to release his album, saying that her fan base, The Barbz, were asking for it. She said: 'Drake, I'm not going to tell you one more time. The Barbz want the album!' He can be Champage Papi, I don't care Papi, The Barbz want the album.' Addressing the songwriter, she could be seen wearing a black bandana and a hot pink Fendi hoodie. We want the album! Nicki Minaj, 40, shared a message to Drake on Thursday after he failed to drop his new album Amazon Music had confirmed the release date for Drake's new album in a now-deleted tweet, writing: 'Drizzy's son has a future as a cover artist. new @drake august 25th!!' On July 26, Drake had mirrored this timeline at one of his concerts, telling the crowd: 'Make new friends. If you drink, drink some liquor. If you smoke, smoke some weed. And if you like somebody, like my dad says, keep f****ng. 'I will be back soon. I have an album dropping for you in, like, two weeks or some sh*t. 'But until then, just know, you're always with me and I'm always thinking of you. Everything I do is for you. Every time I step in that booth, I hope I make you proud.' Drake, who has been taking to the stage on his It's A Blur tour, also revealed earlier this week that he enlisted his son Adonis to draw cover art for his new album . The Search & Rescue singer previously showcased Adonis' artwork in the background of an Instagram snap of the tyke with his grandmother Sandi Graham, which he posted on Sunday. For All the Dogs will feature collaborations with three-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny and 10-time Grammy nominee Nick Minaj. Adonis finally got to see his famous father perform for the very first time at his August 12 concert inside Kia Forum in Inglewood. Were is it? The rapper's record, For All The Dogs, had been tipped for release on August 25th by Amazon Music, but has't hit the airwaves as hoped (pictured together in 2021) Message: Speaking in an Instagram live, Nicki urged Drake to release his album, saying that her fan base, The Barbz, were asking for it 'I can't talk about t***ies tonight in LA because my son is at the show for the first time ever,' the Degrassi alum warned the audience. 'So we've got to keep this real PG tonight. Y'all keep your bras on.' Drake and Grammy winner 21 Savage are next scheduled to bring their 56-date co-headlining It's All a Blur Tour to Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday. The Euphoria executive producer is also nominated for two trophies - Best Direction for Falling Back (Julien Christian Lutz) and Best Hip Hop (with DJ Khaled) - at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, which air September 12 on MTV. Share or comment on this article: Nicki Minaj shares a message to Drake after he failed to release his For All The Dogs album e-mail 50 shares Add comment"
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