For the past several weeks, Karol G’s club track “BbY WOW” has climbed the global charts, reaching number one on both Spotify and the Billboard Global 200. The song has become a streaming phenomenon, amassing 78 million Spotify plays and 37 million YouTube views, with momentum continuing to grow.
Karol G did not achieve this alone. While creating the track, she enlisted Spanish producer-artist Rusowsky and Spanish singer-songwriter Judeline as collaborators. Judeline was a particularly significant addition, having been one of Karol G’s most trusted creative partners during the making of No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, the album that features “BbY WOW.” Judeline co-wrote the hit and earned credits on three other tracks — “Matadora,” “Te Llevas To,” and “Final Feliz” — though she admits she did not anticipate the song’s massive success.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” Judeline told Rolling Stone during a recent call from Spain. “I knew it would perform well given Karol’s enormous exposure, but what’s truly special is that no one can predict which song will resonate most with listeners. We’ve been celebrating every milestone.”
Judeline discussed her collaboration with Karol G and her creative approach. “Being on this song with Rusowsky makes me a thousand times happier than if I were alone,” she said. “We’ve grown up together throughout our careers. I met him when I first arrived in Madrid, and we’ve been friends for a long time. I’m happy for all the good things that have happened to him. When I look back, the evolution we’ve had is beautiful, hand-in-hand with both him and Ralphie Choo. And with Karol too, because she has such a beautiful energy and was so kind during the process. I’m happy this is happening with people who, besides being great artists, I consider friends.”
Working on No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto was organic, Judeline explained. “I hadn’t written for other people in a long time; I’d kind of put it aside, but I felt it could be a good thing with Karol. She gave me such good energy, and I also felt like I had space to contribute. I felt really comfortable being with her. If it had been more forced, with more pressure, I don’t think the songs would have come about the way they did. And she’s super humble. She’s sweet, funny, super cheerful, and at the same time, she was so in the zone getting ready for Coachella.”
The two artists connected through shared vulnerability. “We were both going through something very similar emotionally, and we were at a very similar point in our lives. I think that’s why we connected. We were both very vulnerable. I think the songwriting process was therapeutic for both of us, and she gave me the space to do it. She also gave me the freedom to express myself. I listened to her and she expressed herself as well. It was a beautiful moment between two women, between two artists. I think we understood each other through music.”
On “Final Feliz,” Judeline explained its origins. “I originally wrote that song with Tyler Spy. I went to the studio with him and I was devastated. I was really sad. That day I needed to express myself and talk about heartbreak. And I also knew that Karol was going through something similar at that time, but when I wrote it, I honestly thought about my own experience. As we kept going, I thought more and more about her. She sent me a really sweet message around that time, and I said, ‘Look, Karol, I wrote this song. Listen to it and tell me what you think.’ She recorded it, added her own touch, and put her energy into it. She had gone through similar experiences without me knowing it. So that song, it was meant to be.”
Karol G noted that many songs on the album were written by women. “I think there are things that only a woman can write, yes,” Judeline agreed. “Like in a movie, it’s very noticeable when a character is written by a woman or a man. Music is the same. And Karol also has such beautiful lyrics and her way of expressing herself artistically. I admire her as a songwriter, too. I think we understand each other very well in that sense.”
Regarding their different writing styles, Judeline elaborated: “She told me that when she writes songs, she’s literal and direct, and she thinks of my style as poetic and metaphorical. Sometimes I need a bit more of a sense of being literal. My lyrics are always very metaphorical and ethereal, and there have been times when I’ve showed people my music and they don’t understand anything. It’s a good thing because when that poetic touch remains, you think about the lyrics more. But you need more literal things to balance it and give people a chance to understand quickly. So I learned a lot from Karol and her songwriters.”
The Coolie Dance Riddim sample resonated universally, Judeline noted. “I think that beat is iconic, wherever you put it. But what makes the song special is that the beat is iconic and it’s going to make you dance a lot, obviously, but there’s a sensitivity and a feeling that’s kind of like sad reggaeton. There’s someone who wants to dance and go to the club but who is brokenhearted and can connect with the song in the same way. I think it’s very universal in terms of feelings.”
Beyond the album, Judeline highlighted other standout moments. “The first song we did was ‘Te Llevas To.’ I think that’s where I get most metaphorical, where we worked together and she pulled in a more ethereal spin. With ‘Matadora,’ I was able to have a lot of fun and express lyrics and show a different side. Karol does the baddie thing so well and I got to try things I’d always wanted to do. The whole album is incredible. We worked on songs that didn’t make it, but I think she made the right decisions. I love the production changes and the tracklist, especially the one with Bruno Mars.”
Judeline also discussed her acting debut in the Los Javis film La Bola Negra. “I was so excited when they wanted me for the film. I had never acted before and I think it’s something I’ve really connected with. I’d like to do more. I’m super proud of Spain right now. It feels like in sports, music, and film, we’ve had big wins. It’s been a super nice year with special things happening, and more people are looking at this country in a cultural sense.”
Looking ahead, she said: “I need to find inspiration and peace. I’m about to finish the tour and it’s been amazing, but once it’s done, I’m excited to immerse myself in art — watch movies, listen to music, read books — absorb everything to inspire the next era. I’m really looking forward to taking a break from touring and focusing more on the creative side.”