Embassy Nightclub just west of the Las Vegas Strip already has a reputation for offering something different, a true nightlife alternative soundtracked by sounds from around the globe. And this weekend, Embassy imports one of Latin music’s fastest rising stars, who also offers something different.
Karol G’s Friday gig isn’t just her first performance in Las Vegas; it’s her first time ever in Sin City. “I’m very excited. I’m bringing my mother and members of my family who know Las Vegas so we are definitely going to [party],” says the 25-year-old artist born Carolina Giraldo Navarro in Medellin, Colombia. She’s bringing plenty of momentum with her, riding high from recent single “Hello” (which also features Ozuna) and its 50 million-plus views on YouTube. She also grabbed a spot as a team captain on Univision’s Pequeños Gigantes USA reality-talent competition, now filming in Miami.
There aren’t many women in the world of reggaeton music, but Karol is hoping to change that with her blend of pop and hip-hop sensibilities. “In the beginning it was very frustrating, being told girls don’t sing this kind of music, and, ‘Maybe you can try with pop or songs that are more romantic,’” she says. “It’s been a lot of hard work. But for me, reggaeton is what is happening now. I want to create a different fusion of that music, show that you can have a little pop and a little hip-hop, and still [write] songs that all the people can sing. In my songs there are no bad words, so kids can sing them, and girls can identify with singing with them, too, because it’s not like a man singing reggaeton.”
She plans to continue to inspire with upcoming album Girl Power, which could be ready this spring. After wrapping Pequeños Gigantes USA she’ll return to the road in the States for 14 shows before her first trek to Europe. Don’t be surprised to see other TV or acting opportunities come her way, too. “As an artist, I really just want to do everything,” she says. Karol G at Embassy, February 10. –Brock Radke
