News
Rosalía Facts

Rosalía: 40 Facts You (Probably) Didn’t Know About ‘La Motomami’

She has become a global ambassador for Spanish culture

Archivado en: Rosalia  •  

Rosalía is a Spanish singer, songwriter, and producer who has made a significant impact on the global music scene with her unique blend of flamenco, reggaeton, and contemporary pop. Her influence extends beyond her genre-blending music. She has become a cultural icon, known for her distinct style, striking visuals, and her ability to connect with audiences across different cultures.

‘La Motomami’ has played a key role in bringing Spanish culture to a global stage, making flamenco relevant and accessible to a new generation. With several Grammy and Latin Grammy awards to her name, Rosalía continues to innovate and inspire artists and fans around the world. Here are some facts about Rosalía.

Kristy Sparow/Getty Images.

Rosalía Facts

1. Rosalía’s full name is Rosalía Vila Tobella.

2. She was born in San Cugat del Vallés, in Spain, on September 25, 1992. Her parents are José Manuel and Pilar, and her sister, also named Pilar.

3. Rosalía’s deep understanding of flamenco is a key element in her music.

4. At 15, she decided to try her luck on television to start spreading her music, though she didn’t have much success.

5. She studied flamenco at the Catalonia College of Music under the mentorship of renowned flamenco teacher José Miguel ‘El Chiqui’ Vizcaya.

6. Rosalía released her debut album Los Ángeles in 2017.

7. Los Ángeles was a collaboration with Spanish producer Raül Refree and focused on traditional flamenco with a contemporary twist. It received critical acclaim but did not achieve widespread commercial success.

8. Her breakthrough album, El Mal Querer (2018), was her second studio album and achieved both critical and commercial success.

9. El Mal Querer was inspired by the 13th-century novel Flamenca and fused flamenco with modern urban sounds. Originally, this album was her final degree project.

10. She loves butterflies but isn’t too fond of them up close.

11. Rosalía is often credited with pioneering a new wave of flamenco music, sometimes referred to as ‘New Flamenco.’ She has modernized the genre, making it accessible to younger audiences and blending it with contemporary urban sounds.

12. She has become a global ambassador for Spanish culture, introducing international audiences to the richness of flamenco and Spanish traditions through her music and performances.

13. Her music videos are known for their innovative and visually striking style.

14. Her video for ‘Malamente,’ the lead single from El Mal Querer, was praised for its use of traditional Spanish iconography and won multiple awards.

15. She has performed at major international festivals, including Coachella and Lollapalooza, and has been featured in prestigious publications like Rolling Stone and The New York Times.

16. Rosalía is known for her ability to fuse different cultural and musical influences. She combines traditional Spanish music with global genres like reggaeton, trap, and R&B, creating a sound that is both unique and widely appealing.

17. She is also involved in philanthropic efforts. She has used her platform to support various causes, including women’s rights.

18. The singer is known for her distinctive style, blending traditional Spanish elements with contemporary fashion. Of course, she often incorporates flamenco-inspired outfits in her performances.

19. She has collaborated with several international artists, including Travis Scott for ‘TKN,’ Billie Eilish for ‘Lo Vas a Olvidar,’ and The Weeknd for ‘La Fama’, and many more.

20. Acting Debut

Rosalía made her acting debut in Pedro Almodóvar’s film Dolor y Gloria (Pain and Glory) in 2019, where she appeared alongside Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas.

21. One of her firsts collaborations, with J Balvin, ‘Con Altura’ became a global hit in 2019.

22. In 2020, Rosalía became the first Spanish artist to perform on Coachella’s main stage, further cementing her status as a global music sensation.

23. One remarkable aspect of Rosalía’s life is the diversity of her friendships. She is admired by people from various artistic fields and beyond. Among her closest friends are Kylie Jenner, Lisa from Blackpink, and Hunter Schafer.

24. She performed at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall-Winter 2023-2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on January 19, 2023, in Paris, France. Her setlist included ‘CANDY,’ ‘SAOKO,’ ‘DE AQUÍ NO SALES,’ ‘DE PLATA,’ and ‘CUUUUuuuute’.

25. Her favorite food is sushi, especially tuna with spicy mayonnaise.

26. She’s mentioned that she can’t live without mayonnaise—she puts it on everything: vegetables, chicken, french fries, rice, you name it. She even says she keeps a bottle of mayo in her bag.

27. She’s expressed just how much she loves her sister Pilar, saying she wouldn’t know what to do without her. Pilar is not just her sister but also her best friend, always by her side.

28. In June 2023, during an interview with LOS40, she revealed that ‘Say Yes to Heaven’ was her favorite Lana Del Rey song at the time.

29. During an interview on the popular Spanish show El Hormiguero, she mentioned that she always carries avocado, ginger for teas, and oil in her bag.

30. She says she’s a bit obsessed with brushing her teeth.

31. She had a romantic relationship with C. Tangana.

They were introduced by a mutual friend, the producer Dano, in 2016, when Rosalía wasn’t very well known yet. Their relationship ended in 2018. They have collaborated on two songs: ‘Llámame Más Tarde’ and ‘Antes de morirme,’ which came out after their relationship became public.

32. C. Tangana also played a significant role in Rosalía’s successful album El Mal Querer, contributing as both a producer and songwriter.

33. ‘La Motomami’ stands 5’5″ (1.65 meters tall).

34. In 2019, she had a romantic relationship with Hunter Schafer, the actress from Euphoria. It’s also rumored that Rosalía’s song ‘TUYA’ is dedicated to Schafer.

35. Her sister Pilar is also her stylist.

36. Rosalía had a highly publicized relationship with Rauw Alejandro, whom she met in person in 2019 at a hotel lounge in Las Vegas during the Latin Grammys. Both have mentioned that it was love at first sight.

37. The couple announced their engagement on March 24, 2023, through the music video for ‘Beso.’ On the same day, they released their first joint project: the three-song EP RR.

38. In a surprising turn of events, the Spanish singer and the Puerto Rican artist ended their relationship on July 26, 2023.

39. Motomami, Rosalía’s third album released in 2022, was very well received. She’s mentioned that motorcycles have been a part of her life since she was young—her mother had a Harley, and the maternal figure is very important to her.

40. Rosalía explained that the word ‘motomami’ came from a childhood friend’s e-mail, and she loved how it sounded. She also pointed out: “Moto represents the more aggressive side, while Mami is the more vulnerable side. This album has songs with really aggressive drums, as well as ballads that tap into that sensitive side.”