Rosalía, born in 1992 in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, has unveiled with the release of her fourth studio album, Lux, an extensive network of Catalan collaborators that have shaped her career. From studies in Barcelona to local recordings and collaborations with regional talents, the article explores how the Catalan artistic ecosystem has been fundamental to her growth. Beyond international names like Daft Punk or Björk, local figures such as Raül Refree and El Guincho stand out.
Rosalía began her musical training in Barcelona, first living in Sant Andreu and then Bogatell. She studied at Taller de Músics and ESMUC under Chiqui de la Línea, and performed in tablaos like Carmen and Robadors 23, as well as alternative spaces like Bar El Alfa and Heliogàbal. Her early urban collaborations include works with Dj Swet and Mi Amargo on the songs Retsu and Love & Leave, recorded in 2013 in a homemade studio at Juli Giuliani's flat. “We met in 2013,” recalls Dj Swet, “I had just released the album Agoraphobia and we religiously frequented Robadors 23”.
Her debut, Los Angeles (2017), was co-produced with Raül Refree, thanks to a connection made in 2014 by Luis Troquel during the show Rumba Surreal at Mercat de les Flors. El mal querer (2018) was a joint effort with El Guincho, linked to Barcelona. Collaborations like Antes de morirme and Llámame más tarde with C. Tangana and Alizzz were recorded in Alizzz's father's mechanic workshop in Baix Llobregat. In an interview on the Show Bizness podcast in Raval, she performed live with Llorenç Barceló and Marc López. “Having her sing live in front of a team of friends used to interviewing rappers impressed us,” says Daniel Madjody.
With Björk, she collaborated on Oral for a charity cause against fish farms in Iceland, with the video shot at La Granja de la Ricarda directed by Carlota Guerrero and Guillem Fernàndez. Currently, in 2023 she bought Casa Morera in Manresa and is building a studio in L’Hospitalet with Tresmamis SL. The listening party for Lux took place on October 6 at Sala Oval of MNAC. In Lux, highlights include Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Escolania de Montserrat, and Cor de Cambra of Palau de la Música Catalana. Other contributions include versions like Nana de la Falla with Mélodie Gimard, who explains: “I couldn't see another voice to achieve that perfect balance.” This Catalan ecosystem continues to be key in her career.