Karol G Opens BBMAs with ‘Qlona,’ ‘Labios Mordidos,’ and ‘Ojos Ferrari’

Karol G opened the 2023 Billboard Music Awards performances with a three-song set on Sunday, which included her collab with Peso Pluma “Qlona”; “Labios Mordidos,” an unreleased track that is part of Kali Uchis’ upcoming studio album Orquideas; and “Ojos Ferrari” her collab with Justin Quiles and Angel Dior.

The singer, who was nominated for five Billboard Music Awards, including Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Female Artist, Top Latin Touring Artist, Top Latin Album (for Mañana Sera Bonito) and Top Latin Song (“TQG” with Shakira) won Top Latin Female Artist and Top Latin Touring Artist early into the event. Her Mañana Sera Bonito made history as the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200.

More from Rolling Stone

• Morgan Wallen Takes Home the Most Trophies at 2023 Billboard Music Awards

• Peso Pluma Hits Boxing Ring With Mike Tyson for 'Rubicon' at BBMAs

• Women Ruled the 2023 Latin Grammys

In a speech, which she made while standing in a pool of water after her performance, she said she was excited and nervous, and called the moment “very special.”

“This award, right here there is one, but there are two of them,” she said, translated from Spanish. She added: “I think this is a great opportunity to be grateful because these awards mean the connection is there between all of you and me. I think you’re more than fans — you’re part of the team and this family. Ya’ll know we have a very special connection, even though we don’t know each other or we don’t see each other. A lot of things connect us through the music. I want to thank all the people that were part of the tour. It was one of the most extraordinary things that happened to me this year. In addition to the album I released, that was very special, very intimate, you know the reasons why. So, I’m very happy, very grateful. I don’t know if any of you were on the tour? You see? We’re just that close. The point is, thank you very much for giving me that love.”

Best of Rolling Stone

• All 243 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked

• Carrie Underwood Was a Teenage Metalhead: Her Best Hard Rock Covers

• The Who's 50 Greatest Songs