Rosalia Opens Up About Not Changing Herself for the Music Industry

Rosalia is on the cover of Billboard‘s Latin Power Players issue, out now.

Here’s what the 26-year-old “Malamente” star had to say…

On not changing herself for the music industry: “Ten years ago, I thought, ‘Someday, I may have to make concessions because of the industry.’ I wish I had known it would be like this. Everyone around me has maximum respect for my vision. Everything has been organic. I’m so happy I can make the music I want at any moment.”

On why she’s hands-on with every aspect of her art: “I’m a musician first, but I started from scratch: I would beg to be allowed to play, I would announce my events on Facebook, I would design my posters. When I sang in bars and weddings, where you have to fight to be heard, you gain incredible humility. I was on top of every detail so the vision would come to fruition.”

On how her life has changed in the past year: “I can’t walk around like I used to, and there’s always paparazzi waiting outside the studio. It’s jarring.”

For more from Rosalia, head to Billboard.com.