Karol G’s Tropicoqueta Review: A 90s-Inspired Latin Pop Telenovela Aiming to Set Trends

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Alberto Palao — Karol G is going back to her roots—but not the ones fans know from Ocean. With Tropicoqueta, her brand-new 2025 album, the Colombian superstar dives deep into the soundtrack of her childhood and the over-the-top drama of her favorite telenovelas. The result? A bold, nostalgic, and trendsetting ride that’s unlike anything else in today’s Latin music scene.

Released in June 2025, Tropicoqueta is Karol G’s fifth studio album, and it’s already making waves. This is not just a reggaetón release—it’s a full-on artistic pivot. Karol isn’t here to follow the wave; she’s here to start one.

 

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A 2025 Latin Album with Its Own Storyline

The album kicks off with «La Reina Presenta», a track that signals a clear break from past personas like la Bebesita or la Bichota. Here, Karol steps fully into her new identity: Tropicoqueta. She’s not just releasing songs—she’s building a world, reclaiming the word and turning it into a cultural and visual symbol.

From the start, she pays homage to Thalía, the undisputed queen of Latin pop. That’s Thalía’s voice you hear in the intro, along with her iconic Piel Morena—a clear sign Karol is rewriting the rules, not just playing by them.

Meet Tropicoqueta: The Main Character

The first full song, «Ivonny Bonita», is a smooth salsa that introduces the quintessential Latina protagonist—passionate, sensual, bold. “A scandal that takes your breath away.” She’s the heart of this telenovela-like journey, a role Karol continues to explore in «Latina Foreva», the first single, which leans more into the physical aesthetic.

Love Interests, Spanglish, and 90s Vibes

No novela is complete without a heartthrob, and we meet him in «Papasito»—a bilingual bop dripping in ‘90s Latin nostalgia. Once the characters are in place, the love story unfolds, packed with sonic tributes and emotional highs and lows.

Pop Classics, Reinvented

Tropicoqueta isn’t just reggaetón or salsa. Karol nods to Ana Gabriel with «Dile Luna», asking the moon to deliver her heartbreak—just like in 1993. She samples George Michael’s «Careless Whisper» in «Cuando Me Muera Te Olvido», flipping it into a modern cumbia.

The album also brings soft Latin pop in «Coleccionando Heridas» with Marco Antonio Solís, feminist sisterhood in «Amiga Mía» with Greeicy, and reggaetón-meets-girl-power in «FKN Movie» with Mariah Angeliq.

Don’t Worry, Reggaetón’s Still Here

This is Karol G, after all. Tracks like «Un Gatito Me Llamó» and «Bandida Entrenada» (sung in Portuguese) bring the heat and show she’s still aiming for global dancefloors—including Brazil, where she’s still growing her fanbase.

Then comes the wild card: «Ese Hombre Malo», a full-blown ranchera that would make Rocío Dúrcal proud. She continues that energy in «No Puedo Vivir Sin Él»—showing just how far she’s willing to stretch her sound.

Fan Favorites and Long-Awaited Drops

One of the biggest moments on the album? «Verano Rosa», her long-teased collab with Feid, finally sees the light after two years in the vault. It’s already shaping up to be the love anthem of summer 2025: “This bottle has your name on it.”

Also in the mix is «Tu Perfume», a track fans will recognize from the video for Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido. It’s Karol referencing herself—a meta-gift for longtime followers.

And then there’s «Viajando por el Mundo», a Manu Chao-style surprise that bursts with optimism. It’s the Mañana Será Bonito energy we loved, reborn in a new sound.