The 50 Most Essential Spanish-Language Rappers of Yesterday and Today: Staff Picks

With her lyrics as bold as her personality, Mala Rodríguez began rapping in the late ‘90s, when she was just a teenager. At 17, she officially adopted her stage name, La Mala, since climbing the ranks of Spain’s thriving hip-hop scene. Throughout the years, the artist born María Rodríguez Garrido lent her fiery verses to songs alongside Nelly Furtado, Romeo Santos, Julieta Venegas, and Calle 13, all while keeping her unapologetic bars intact. In 2010, Mala became the first solo female artist to win the Latin Grammy for best urban song (“No Pidas Perdón”), and three years later, achieved the same in the best urban album category (Bruja). — J.R.