WATCH NOW
Watch on the app
Hispanic vs. Latina: Where Does Rosalía Fall?
The question of whether Rosalía is Hispanic has sparked some debate and discussion. To answer this question, it’s important to understand what it means to be Hispanic and consider various factors related to Rosalía’s background, heritage, and music.
To comprehend Rosalía’s Hispanic identity, it is crucial to grasp the concept of Hispanic heritage. Hispanic refers to individuals or communities with origins in Spanish-speaking countries. The term encompasses an extensive range of cultures, including but not limited to, those from Spain, Latin America, and certain regions in the Caribbean.
View this post on Instagram
Americans often confuse the term Latino and Hispanic. Even though every country who speaks a Romance language that originates from Latin is considered Latino – such as Italy, France, Portugal and Spain – nowadays, Latino is used to group people who were born or are descendants from Latin Americans.
On the other hand, Hispanic refers to – almost – every Spanish-speaking language in the world, that originate their language from Spain. Therefore, because most of the countries that speak Spanish were colonized by Spain, Spaniards were the first Hispanics.
Not every Latino is Hispanic, and not every Hispanic is Latino.
So, Is Rosalía Hispanic?
Born Rosalía Vila Tobella on September 25, 1992, in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Catalonia, Spain, Rosalía’s birthplace is a significant piece of the puzzle when assessing her Hispanic identity. Spain, as the country of her birth, is undoubtedly a part of the Hispanic world. Her father, José Manuel Vila, is Asturian by birth (specifically from Cudillero) and with Galician and Andalusian blood in his veins; and her mother, Pilar Tobella, is Catalan.
View this post on Instagram
Rosalía’s heritage reflects a fusion of distinct cultural elements. While she hails from Catalonia, an autonomous region in northeastern Spain, her ancestry is rooted in Andalusia, a vibrant and historically rich region renowned for its flamenco tradition. This interplay between regional identities amplifies the complexities of her Hispanic heritage.
Her paternal grandparents were of Galician and Andalusian origin, while her great-grandfather was Cuban. Her language also plays a pivotal part in understanding Rosalía’s heritage. As well as being fluent in English, the singer’s maternal languages are both Catalan and Spanish.
View this post on Instagram
Moreover, Rosalía’s music is a testament to her embrace and celebration of her Hispanic heritage. Drawing inspiration from flamenco, a cherished art form rooted in Andalusian culture, she seamlessly blends traditional flamenco elements with contemporary genres, such as reggaeton and trap.
In her acclaimed debut album, “El Mal Querer,” Rosalía captured global attention with her powerful voice and inventive production, incorporating traditional flamenco rhythms and vocal techniques. Songs like “Malamente” and “Pienso en Tu Mirá” exemplify her ability to infuse modern sounds with flamenco’s passionate essence, thereby representing her Hispanic heritage.
Moreover, Rosalía actively collaborates with renowned Latino artists, further cementing her place within the broader Hispanic music community. Collaborations with artists like J Balvin, Ozuna, and his ex-fiancé, Rauw Alejandro, demonstrate her commitment to crossing cultural boundaries and embracing her Hispanic identity through a global lens.
View this post on Instagram
However, this has caused her some trouble. Many Latin Americans have taken Rosalía’s interference within the Latin Music industry cultural appropriation. She has won several Latin Grammys – and many other music trophies under the “Latin” categories – and, in a 2019 Billboard interview, stated that she feels Latina because of Latin America’s influence in flamenco music, a genre she studied heavily in school.
So, Rosalía is Hispanic, Spaniard and, in some way, Latin. However, she is not Latin American nor, therefore, Latina.
for the latest updates from LatiNation