It's Been a Minute Rosalía & the evolving definition of Latinidad
Nov 7, 2025
Bilal Qureshi, a writer and critic focused on music and culture, and Michelle Santiago Cortés, an expert on race and Latinidad, delve into Rosalía's transformative musical journey. They discuss her new album, Lux, and the 'church girl era' while exploring the complexities of cultural appropriation and identity in music. The conversation covers the blurred lines of Latinidad, fans' concerns about shifts toward Afro-Caribbean styles, and how the music industry shapes artists' images. Together, they reflect on the ethics of artistry versus cultural representation.
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Church‑Girl Concept And Musical Ambition
- Rosalía's new album Lux leans into a Catholic, classical-tinged concept framed as a 'church girl' era.
- Bilal Qureshi and hosts argue the record is musically ambitious and likely her biggest, most complex work.
Advanced Listening Event In Brooklyn
- Bilal attended an advanced listening event for Lux in Brooklyn and heard Rosalía speak about the concept.
- He describes the listening as immersive with a cathedral-like sound and about 200 attendees.
Aesthetic Shifts Tie To Cultural Borrowing Debate
- Critics see Rosalía's aesthetic shifts as tied to industry marketing and questions of cultural borrowing.
- Michelle Santiago Cortés and Bilal Qureshi highlight longstanding debates about appropriation versus inspiration.