Ha*Ash, the bond of the sisters born in Louisiana has propelled the duo’s career for the past 20 years, and that intrinsic connection also contributes to their unbreakable status in Latin music. On April 24, they will be honored at the annual Billboard Latin Women in Music gala with the Unbreakable Award, celebrating both their music and their career as a notable sister duo that may be more relevant today than ever before.
“When I hear the word unbreakable, the first thing that comes to mind is that, although this career has been like a roller coaster, here we are doing what we love the most,” says Hanna, who is a year and a half older than Ashley. “It’s an honor not only to be recognized for our work after 23 years of career, but to continue living off our stories and songs. It’s a blessing.”
Speaking in perfect English and Spanish, a reflection of their bicultural upbringing – they lived half the year in Mexico and the other half in the United States as children – Hanna and Ashley are in the midst of their biggest tour to date, with stops in South America that included the Viña del Mar Festival in Chile, in the wake of their 2024 album Haashville.
It’s the latest high point in a career that propelled the dominance of Latin pop in the early 2000s with “Odio amarte,” the first single from their self-titled debut album, and “Estés donde estés,” Ha*Ash’s first hit to enter the top 10 of Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart.
” ‘Estés’ became the main theme of a Mexican soap opera, and that gave it a big boost,” explains Ashley. “Back then, if one of your songs was chosen for a soap opera, it was like, ‘OK, we’ve made it.’ We never imagined that this would be our breakout song, but it opened doors for us, we started doing small concerts and then we took off.”
But it was “Odio amarte” that showcased Ha*Ash’s signature sound: Latin pop with a country twist. It was a natural style for the Mexican-American sisters, who grew up in the South listening to artists like Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks. Hanna and Ashley would translate the songs of these artists into Spanish so their friends in Mexico could understand what they were singing.
“That’s who we are, a mix of two cultures, different musical genres. That’s the result of where we lived and who we listened to,” says Hanna. “We never thought that our music would be accepted in both countries, but it has been a beautiful surprise.”
Over the years, Ha*Ash has continued to blend their love for country music with their Latin roots, creating a unique sound that has resonated with fans all over the world. They have released six studio albums, won numerous awards, and collaborated with artists like Alejandro Sanz, Maluma, and Prince Royce.
But perhaps their biggest accomplishment is their unbreakable bond as sisters and as a musical duo. Despite the ups and downs of their career, Hanna and Ashley have remained a united front, supporting each other through it all.
“We have a very strong connection, not only as sisters but also as partners in this career,” says Ashley. “We have learned to communicate and understand each other, and that has been key to our success.”
As they continue to make music and tour the world, Ha*Ash remains a shining example of the power of sisterhood and the unbreakable bond that can be forged through music. And as they receive the Unbreakable Award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music gala, they will undoubtedly inspire others to follow their dreams and never give up on their passions.