She became the first woman to debut a Spanish-language album at number one.
On May 25 in Las Vegas, Karol G will receive the International Artistic Excellence Award at the 52nd American Music Awards, joining a lineage of artists — from Whitney Houston to Beyoncé — who have reshaped what popular music can mean across generations. The Colombian reggaeton star's recognition is not merely a tallying of streams and certifications, though those numbers are historic, but an acknowledgment that Latin music has moved from the margins to the very center of the American cultural imagination. In honoring her, the industry is quietly admitting that excellence, like music itself, has never truly belonged to one language.
- Karol G becomes the first Latin reggaeton artist to receive the AMAs' most prestigious individual honor, a milestone that signals a genuine reckoning within the American music industry.
- Her record — 128 billion streams, 310 platinum certifications, and a historic Billboard 200 debut — represents a scale of reach that makes the recognition difficult to dispute even in traditionally resistant spaces.
- The ceremony at MGM Grand Garden Arena doubles as a launchpad, with Karol G set to perform live and announce the momentum of her 'Viajando por el Mundo Tropitour' world tour.
- A diverse performance lineup alongside artists like Maluma, Teyana Taylor, and Twenty One Pilots reflects the AMAs' broader effort to hold genre and generation in the same room.
- The May 25 broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ positions the moment for maximum cultural visibility, ensuring the statement reaches far beyond the arena walls.
El 25 de mayo, en el MGM Grand Garden Arena de Las Vegas, Karol G recibirá el Premio a la Excelencia Artística Internacional en la 52ª edición de los American Music Awards. Con ese galardón, la artista colombiana se incorpora a una genealogía que incluye a Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé y Led Zeppelin — músicos que no solo dominaron las listas, sino que redefinieron lo que la música popular puede ser.
El reconocimiento descansa sobre cifras que hablan por sí solas: más de 128 mil millones de reproducciones, 310 certificaciones de platino y un hito sin precedentes — ser la primera mujer en debutar un álbum en español en el número uno del Billboard 200. Pero CBS y Dick Clark Productions van más allá de los números, reconociendo en ella una influencia cultural que ha cruzado edades, fronteras e idiomas en un momento en que la música latina ocupa el centro de la corriente principal estadounidense.
La noche tendrá una doble dimensión para Karol G: recibirá el premio y también actuará en directo, usando el escenario como punto de partida para su próxima gira mundial 'Viajando por el Mundo Tropitour'. Compartirá cartel con una mezcla ecléctica de artistas — entre ellos Maluma, Teyana Taylor y Twenty One Pilots — que refleja el intento de los AMAs por abarcar géneros y generaciones en una sola velada.
La ceremonia, conducida por Queen Latifah, se transmitirá en vivo por CBS y Paramount+ a partir de las 8 p.m., hora del Este. Al honrar a Karol G con este galardón, los AMAs no solo celebran una carrera extraordinaria — reconocen que el paisaje de la música popular ha cambiado, y que ella es parte fundamental de ese cambio.
Karol G will take the stage at the American Music Awards on May 25 in Las Vegas to receive the International Artistic Excellence Award, an honor that places her among the most celebrated musicians in history. The Colombian reggaeton artist joins a lineage that includes Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, and Rod Stewart—names that define what it means to shape popular music across generations.
The award recognizes not just commercial success, though the numbers are staggering: more than 128 billion streams, 310 platinum certifications, and a historic first—she became the first woman ever to debut a Spanish-language album at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. But the citation from CBS and Dick Clark Productions goes deeper, crediting her with cultural influence that has reached audiences of every age across the globe. In an era when Latin music has become central to the American mainstream, Karol G's trajectory marks a genuine shift in what the industry considers excellence.
The ceremony itself will unfold at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Queen Latifah hosting. Karol G's appearance will serve a dual purpose: she will accept the award, but she will also perform live, using the moment as a launchpad for her upcoming "Viajando por el Mundo Tropitour" world tour. She shares the performance lineup with an eclectic mix—Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, and Twenty One Pilots—a roster that reflects the AMAs' attempt to span genres and generations in a single night.
For viewers, the ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time on May 25. Those who want to attend in person can purchase tickets through AXS, the live events platform. The American Music Awards, now in its 52nd year, has long positioned itself as the industry's celebration of what audiences actually listen to, rather than what critics deem important. By honoring Karol G with this particular award, the ceremony is acknowledging that her influence extends far beyond streaming numbers—she has fundamentally altered the landscape of popular music itself.
Citas Notables
Her music and cultural influence at a global level have inspired and impacted audiences of all ages.— CBS and Dick Clark Productions, in the award announcement
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does this award matter more than, say, a Grammy or a Billboard award?
Because the International Artistic Excellence Award is reserved for artists who've transcended their moment. It's not about a single album or year. It's about legacy. Karol G is being placed in the same category as Michael Jackson and Beyoncé—artists who changed what music could be.
She's 32 years old. Isn't it unusual to give this kind of lifetime achievement honor so early?
It would be, except she's already done the work. 128 billion streams isn't a projection. She's already the first woman to do what she did on the Billboard 200. The award is recognizing something that's already happened, not betting on her future.
What does it mean that she's specifically a reggaeton artist being honored this way?
It means reggaeton is no longer considered a regional or niche genre. It's central. When a Colombian reggaeton artist gets the same honor as Led Zeppelin, the industry is saying: this is mainstream now. This is important.
The performance at the AMAs—is that a big deal, or is everyone performing?
Not everyone. She's performing because she's being honored. It's a moment. And she's using it to announce her tour. It's strategic, but it's also genuine—she's at a point where her appearance at an awards show is an event.
Who is this award really for? The industry, or the fans?
Both, but differently. For the industry, it's a statement about where power and influence actually lie. For the fans, it's validation that their artist has reached the highest level. It's recognition that matters.