Best of 2023: La Goony Chonga - Goonyverso

by Camila Trimberger-Ruiz

The Latina mecca is a night in Miami and Goonyverso takes me there.

Kasey Rose Avalos, known by the moniker, La Goony Chonga, has always stood out in the scene as the creator of “treggaeton” a reggaeton and trap fusion. In March of 2023 the Cuban-American rapper released La hora de perrear, a 21 minute album keeping mostly to her usual sound. Though on par with her previous work, reggeaton’s dominance in the Latin pop realm almost sequesters Avalos’ talent. However nine months later she dropped a second album, Goonyverso, La Goony Chonga’s best work yet.

Avalos’s tracks have always embodied what it means to be a chonga, but here she especially shines. Not to be confused with cholas, the chonga subculture comes from Miami, often referring to young, working-class Cuban women. Known for being too loud, too tough, too sexual, the chonga lifestyle completely rejects white American norms and empowers its women.

In the era of Ice Spice and Sexxy Red, Goonyverso could not have come out at a better time. Fans of “Hood Hottest Princess” looking for more freaky releases from the summer need look no further. Filled with house and dembow beats, Goonyverso is effortlessly sexy, fun and feminine.

The album opens up with “Phonkay,” a collab with Danny Daze and Nick León that was originally released in the Homecore! Miami All-Stars compilation. The booty bass beat, originally popularized by 2 LIVE CREW in the ‘80s, pays homage to her hometown of Miami. With its fast pace and intoxicating synths “Phonkay” send shivers down your spine. As the only song entirely in English, you can’t mishear her, “Let me introduce you to the bad bad bitch which is me / Don't like apologies / But i do apologize / I been taking the night / With my dress so tight / Got u hypnotized / Like it’s ecstasy.”

An even earlier single on the album, having dropped in March of 2022 is “Chongivity Activity.” Occasionally interrupted by a cartoon snore, the track reinforces an idea that’s core to Avalos: being a chonga is not just a passing fad, but a lifestyle she preaches with ease. A trip to the “goonyverso” has the ability to convert even the most assimilated of the diaspora to join the ranks of Latina twitter.

While the sexually explicit nature of the lyrics is sometimes shocking, it never comes across as corny or inauthentic. Standouts include "Diskotech," featuring Maxine Ashley. Avalos calls, “Yo te conocí en la diskotech / Bailando, sudando en la diskotech / Tu mirada me tenia con mi pussy wet / Mi pussy wet, mi pussy wet”. The chorus has Ashley say “pussy” over and over while Avalos chants “wet” alongside her. Though on paper the lyrics can read as ridiculous, the track is made for perreo.

All of the collaborative tracks are standouts on the album, with the best being “Groupie,” her second track with a Danny Daze credit. Deep, electrifying and a little bit sleazy, feels like what some were expecting from The Dare’s EP. Avalos expands on this sound better than The Dare ever could, because to her it’s not a schtick. La Goony Chonga simply just is that sexy, and her listeners are aware of that. As she lists off her attributes, Avalos reminds us on the track, “it’s all your fault I’m so conceited.”

Avalos has always been an innovator in the scene and this latest release is no exception. Whether or not you’re a seasoned reggaetonero, La Goony Chonga is someone you should be paying attention to. Goonyverso is a gift to baddies across the country. Don’t miss out on the chance to become an honorary chonga.

rating: 8/10

This review is part of EMMIE’s Best of 2023 series. Keep an eye out on our website throughout December, as we will regularly post full album reviews of this year’s greatest hits.