Karol G Becomes Second Solo Woman to Rule Tropical Airplay on Her Own This Decade
Three weeks after Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs, the song rolls 3-1 on the Tropical Airplay chart (dated July 20), for the Colombian’s first No. 1 there. It’s the second track by a female soloist, unaccompanied by another act, to rule the tally in the 2020s.
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” on Bichota/Interscope/ICLG and released June 21, advances to No. 1 on Tropical Airplay –as the Greatest Gainer of the week– with 7.6 million audience impressions during the July 5-11 tracking week, according to Luminate: that’s a 27% gain from the week prior.
While “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” gives Karol G her first champ on Tropical Airplay, the singer-songwriter previously achieved a No. 8 high through “Casi Nada” in 2016, before the chart became genre-based.
The track, produced in partnership with Coke Studio, makes Karol G the second solo woman, unaccompanied by any other act, to lead Tropical Airplay this decade, after Rosalía hit No. 1 with “Despechá” in 2022. Prior, La India ruled with “Dímelo” for one week in 2016.
Notably, only six women have seated atop Tropical Airplay in the ‘20s with or without collaborators: Natti Natasha, La India, Rosalía, Maria Becerra, Shakira and now, Karol G. Out of those, Rosalía has successfully managed three champs, while Becerra, two. Here is their collection of No. 1s:
Title, Artist, Peak Date, Weeks at No. 1
“La Mejor Versión de Mí,” Natti Natasha & Romeo Santos, Oct. 26, 2019, 15 (seven of its weeks at No. 1 were in 2020)
“Victimas Las Dos,” Victor Manuelle & La India, May 29, 2021, one
“La Fama,” Rosalía Featuring The Weeknd, May 14, 2022, two
“Te Espero”, Prince Royce & Maria Becerra, May 28, 2022, four
“Despechá”, Rosalía, Oct. 1, 2022, four
“Monotonía,” Shakira & Ozuna, Dec. 3, 2022, nine
“El Pañuelo,” Romeo Santos & Rosalía, Feb. 4, 2023, four
“Así Es La Vida,” Enrique Iglesias & Maria Becerra, Dec. 9, 2023, eight
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G, July 20
Over on Hot Latin Songs, “Si Antes” remains at its No. 2 debut and peak for a third week. Meanwhile, advances 5-2 on the overall Latin Airplay list.
Pamela Bustios
Billboard