When Rosalía released MOTOMAMI in 2022, it wasn't just an album—it was a statement. The Spanish singer, born in Sant Esteve Sesrovires near Barcelona, crafted a record that defied easy categorization, blending reggaeton, flamenco, pop, and experimental sounds into something entirely her own. But that sonic universe didn't emerge from a vacuum. Behind the scenes, Rosalía built an extensive playlist—over seven hours long—that served as her creative compass during the album's long gestation.
That playlist, which she later shared with fans, reads like a masterclass in musical curiosity. It jumps from the ethereal art-pop of Björk to the raw rock of Led Zeppelin, from the confessional folk of Leonard Cohen to the underground reggaeton of Plan B. For a bicultural Latino audience, this mix feels familiar: it mirrors the way many of us grew up switching between Spanish-language radio and English-language rock stations, between our parents' boleros and our own discoveries on the internet.
From Björk to Led Zeppelin: the unexpected muses
At the heart of Rosalía's inspiration map are some heavyweights whose influence might surprise casual listeners. Björk's hypnotic Venus As A Boy brings a delicate, otherworldly texture that echoes in MOTOMAMI's more ethereal moments. Led Zeppelin's acoustic Tangerine offers a folk-rock warmth that contrasts with the album's harder edges. These aren't obvious references for a Latin pop star, but Rosalía has never been one to follow predictable paths.
The playlist also includes Carla Bruni's Quelqu'un m'a dit, a French chanson that adds a touch of European sophistication, and Leonard Cohen's heartbreaking Chelsea Hotel #2, whose raw intimacy resonates in Rosalía's more vulnerable tracks. Janis Joplin's Piece Of My Heart brings a blues-rock ferocity that matches the album's defiant energy. Each of these songs, in its own way, contributed to the complex emotional and sonic palette that defines MOTOMAMI.
This eclectic approach is nothing new for Rosalía, who has long drawn from diverse sources. Her earlier work with flamenco, as heard on El Mal Querer, already showed a willingness to experiment. But with MOTOMAMI, she pushed further, creating a sound that feels both global and deeply personal. As she told Rolling Stone, she wanted to make an album that was "free"—free from genre constraints, free from expectations.
Rap, reggaeton, and the rest of the puzzle
The playlist isn't limited to rock and folk. Kendrick Lamar's For Free? brings a politically charged rap energy that aligns with the album's moments of social commentary. Plan B's Candy—a classic of Puerto Rican reggaeton—anchors the album's urban Latin roots. Madonna's Erotica adds a layer of provocative sensuality that echoes in tracks like SAOKO and HENTAI.
Notably absent from the list are contemporaries like C. Tangana or Rauw Alejandro, with whom Rosalía has collaborated. Instead, she looked to older influences, including Justo Betancourt's Pa' Bravo Yo, a salsa classic that connects to the Afro-Caribbean rhythms that pulse through Latin music. Frank Ocean's White Ferrari brings a modern R&B introspection that rounds out the set.
For fans of Latin music, this list is a reminder of how interconnected our musical heritage is. From the son and salsa of the Caribbean to the rock en español of Mexico and Argentina, Latin artists have always been voracious consumers of global sounds. Rosalía's playlist is a testament to that tradition, showing how she absorbed everything from Björk to Plan B and transformed it into something uniquely hers.
The result is an album that has resonated far beyond Spain. In cities like Bogotá, México City, and Los Angeles, MOTOMAMI became a touchstone for a generation navigating multiple cultural identities. Rosalía's willingness to mix high art and street culture, to sing in Spanish while referencing English-language rock, mirrors the experience of many Latinos who move between worlds.
As Rosalía continues to evolve—her recent LUX tour has shown a more introspective side—it's worth revisiting the playlist that helped shape her breakthrough. These ten songs offer a window into her creative process, but they also celebrate the diversity of influences that make Latin music so vibrant. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, exploring these tracks is a journey through the sounds that define our era.
For those interested in how Latin artists reinterpret global influences, the story of MOTOMAMI is a perfect example. It's also a reminder that great art often comes from unexpected places. As Rosalía herself has said, she doesn't want to be boxed in. Her music, like her playlist, refuses to stay in one lane.
So, if you haven't yet, give a listen to Björk's Venus As A Boy followed by Plan B's Candy. You might just hear the seeds of MOTOMAMI—and the sound of a artist who is unafraid to break every rule.
