Why Karol G Sang in English on Jimmy Fallon: Implications for Latin Music in the US

Share:

Karol G, one of Latin music’s biggest stars today, surprised audiences this week on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon by performing “Papasito,” a track from her latest album Tropicoqueta, mostly sung in English. This strategic choice signals her clear ambition to strengthen her presence in the highly competitive U.S. market.

While the bilingual performance marks a shift, it follows a long tradition of Latin artists crossing over to English to reach wider audiences—artists like Shakira, Ricky Martin, and Enrique Iglesias famously paved the way with this formula. Karol G appears to be testing this same approach, aiming to broaden her mainstream appeal without abandoning her signature Latin style.

Originally written entirely in Spanish, “Papasito” became a bilingual track after Karol’s partner, Colombian singer Feid, encouraged her to try an English version. The Fallon performance was a calculated moment to introduce this crossover sound to American viewers, blending Spanish rhythms with English lyrics to increase accessibility.

Will Singing in English Help or Hurt?

History shows that English-language crossover can be a career boost: Shakira’s 2001 Laundry Service made her a global superstar; Ricky Martin’s late ’90s hits broke records; Enrique Iglesias built a lasting international career by embracing English. However, not every Latin artist has followed this path.

Take Bad Bunny—he has never released an English song but is arguably the most influential Latin artist globally, known for his unapologetically authentic Puerto Rican style. This suggests that success doesn’t always require switching languages.

Is Latin Music in the U.S. Losing Ground?

The U.S. music charts have changed since 2022–2023, when Latin hits by Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Peso Pluma dominated. Recently, Spanish-language songs have appeared less frequently on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Billboard Hot 100—except for occasional hits by Bad Bunny or viral tracks.

Still, the bigger picture tells a different story. Latin music saw some of the fastest growth in 2025, accounting for over 8% of on-demand U.S. audio streams—a record high. Spanish-language albums recently held the top two Billboard 200 spots simultaneously for the first time, demonstrating continued commercial strength.

Balancing Language, Identity, and Global Reach

Singing in English doesn’t mean Karol G is abandoning her roots. With a distinct Colombian accent and bilingual style, she experiments creatively without losing her essence. However, some worry that this shift risks diluting the cultural authenticity that resonates deeply with her core audience.

While “Papasito” might boost her Billboard rankings, the move raises questions about whether such crossover efforts distance artists from the unapologetic Latin identity celebrated in previous works—especially when compared to artists like Bad Bunny, who have thrived without English-language tracks.