Karol Gis racing to the top in historic fashion…

The 28-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer and songwriter’s collaboration with Nicki Minaj, “Tusa,”debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart dated November 23. 

The chart ranks the most popular Latin songs of the week, blending airplay, streaming and digital sales data.

“Tusa” becomes the first song to debut at No. 1 in 2019, and the first song by a female act in a lead role to bow at No. 1 since 2016, when Shakira’s “Chantaje,” featuring Maluma, bowed atop the list. It’s also the first title by two women in a lead role to open atop the chart since its inception in 1986.

“One of my biggest personal challenges was exceeding my expectations and those of my fans, following the release of Ocean,” Karol G tells Billboard. “I couldn’t be happier today seeing that “Tusa” debuts at No. 1 in the U.S. after only one week of its release. I’m especially grateful to Nicki Minaj, to my team for keeping the dream alive, and for continuing in this journey — and to my fans who make all of this a reality.”

In addition to Shakira, Karol G and Minaj, only two other songs with women on a lead role have debuted at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs: Rocio Durcalwith “La Guirnalda” in September of 1986 and Gloria Estefanwith “Hotel Nacional” in January of 2012. 

Meanwhile, two other titles with female acts in featuredroles have bowed atop the tally: “Mi Verdad” by Mana featuring Shakira (February 2015) and “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake, featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B(October 2018).

“Tusa” gives Karol G her third No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. Her first leader arrived over a year ago through another collaboration: Pitbull’s “Dame Tu Cosita,” with El Chombo, featuring Cutty Ranks(May 2018).

“Tusa,” Colombian slang for heartbreak, was released on November 7 in conjunction with the song’s music video and was produced by Ovy on the Drumsand written by him, Karol G, Minaj and Keytin. It soars to No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs mainly on the strength of streaming activity and digital sales.

The song logged 9.5 million U.S. streams in its first week (ending November 14), according to Nielsen Music and bows at No. 1 on the Latin Streaming Song chart. It’s just the second song to debut at No. 1 on the list in 2019, following “China,” the former nine-week ruler, where Karol G also takes a lead role alongside Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and J Balvin.

“Tusa” concurrently starts at No. 78 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100chart, becoming Karol G’s fourth chart entry.

The song was presented for the first time during the 2019 Latin Grammyweek, as part of a Google Pixel 4motion sense experiment alongside DJ Feloat The Palms, on November 14.