NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Who are the top reggaeton musicians in the world? Or throughout history? Does come to mind? What about Wisin & Yandel, Farruko and J Balvin?
For years, it seems, urbano music has been defined solely by its male superstars. But that's not the case, and certainly not in recent history.
Karol G's 鈥淢a帽ana Ser谩 Bonito鈥� is undeniable 鈥� Spotify's globally, in 2024 even though it was released in 2023 鈥� and a crop of newer talent from Puerto Rico, like Villano Antillano, RaiNao and A帽asco's Young Miko, demonstrate that the tide is changing 鈥� and music once associated with a certain kind of machismo is getting a makeover.
Since releasing her 2022 EP 鈥淭rap Kitty,鈥� leading to her debut full-length 鈥淎tt," Young Miko has stood out. Not only for her braggadocious Latin trap flows that aim to empower the LGBTQ+ community 鈥� though that is certainly a factor 鈥� but also for her super viral hits, like 鈥淩iRi鈥� and 鈥渙ffline," featuring Feid.
Last month, 鈥淎tt鈥� earned Young Miko in the best m煤sica urbana album category, traditionally a boys' club. She's the only woman nominated in the category. The Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 2, 2025.
So, how did she react to the Grammy news?
鈥淚t was definitely unexpected. It鈥檚 definitely always been a dream," she recently told The Associated Press at Variety Music Hitmakers Brunch, adding that it is not only her dream, but the dream of her entire team. "So, the moment we got that news, it was such an exciting moment. We were all together and we just want to be able to enjoy it. And we鈥檙e just happy to even be considered. So yeah, it鈥檚 amazing.鈥�
Earlier this year, to win a Grammy for best m煤sica urbana album.
鈥淎s a woman, I have to say, like in my experience, it was tough... to be a girl in this industry, in the music that I do, urban music,鈥� backstage at the 2024 Grammys in February after she took home the trophy. 鈥淚 know I represent a lot of girls, not just in music, a lot of women in the world that are fighting to represent themselves.鈥�
Young Miko says the industry is changing, 鈥渄efinitely,鈥� she says.
鈥淚 think everything happens for a reason and evolution is a part of absolutely everything, so I鈥檒l just leave that there.鈥�
___
The 67th Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 2, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The show will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. For more coverage, visit:
___
Liam McEwan contributed to this report.
Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
