J Balvin is a Colombian reggaeton singer from Medellín, who is known for his politer, more melodic and more romantic style of reggaeton, and his fashion sense.
Balvin’s music is naughty, but not rude. His style has helped push reggaeton even further into the mainstream. Just as there was rock and then soft rock, salsa dura and then salsa romantica, J Balvin is the vanguard of reggaeton romantica.
Even though he is one of the music world’s hottest stars, Balvin is happy staying in Medellín and singing in Spanish. As an artist who can do whatever he wants, both decisions are kind of cool.
Balvin was a New York Fashion Week ambassador in 2017.
J Balvin plays Madison Square Garden
Sunday, September 29, 2019 ~ J Balvin brings his Arcoíris Tour to Madison Square Garden in Chelsea, NYC at 8pm. From $58
J Balvin and Bad Bunny find an Oasis
June 28, 2019 ~ Following up on their collaboration with Cardi B on “I Like It”, Balvin and Bad Bunny released Oasis.
It hit #2 on Billboard’s Latin Albums Sales chart.
J Balvin leads Latin Grammy Nominations
September 20, 2018 ~ Balvin leads Latin Grammy nominations with eight.
Record of the Year:
- Mi Gente with Willy William
- X, Nicky Jam with J Balvin
Album of the Year: Vibras
Best Urban Fusion Performance: Mi Gente with Willy William & Beyoncé
Best Urban Music Album: Vibras
Best Urban Song:
- Downtown, Anitta featuring J Balvin
- Sensualidad by Bad Bunny, Prince Royce and J Balvin
- X by Nicky Jam and J Balvin
J Balvin plays Barclays Center
J Balvin plays Barclays Center in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 8 pm. From $39
Mi Gente wins “Best Latin” 2018 MTV VMA
Mi Gente won “Best Latin” at the 2018 MTV VMAs at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown, Manhattan on Monday, August 20, 2018.
Balvin releases Vibras
May 25, 2018 ~ Balvin released his new album Vibras. The lead singles are Machika and Ahora.
Beyoncé’s Mi Gente Remix Hits the U.S. Top Ten
Beyoncé remixed Mi Gente in 2017, giving Balvin his first top ten single in the U.S. What a rich concept. These are my people, hot and creative, but also responsible, hard-working people.
Mi Gente
Balvin released Mi Gente (My People) featuring French DJ Willy William on June 30, 2017.
It’s a beautiful video that really captures the vibrance and diversity of the people of Colombia, including its large and influential French diaspora.
The song is a play on Héctor Lavoe’s Puerto Rican anthem Mi Gente. Balvin cites Lavoe as a key influence. The most famous singer of the 1970s New York Salsa generation influenced everyone. “Que canta mi gente…”
Ay Vamos
La Familia’s second single Ay Vamos hit number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2015, and won a Latin Grammy for “Best Urban Song.”
The video featuring Colombian actress Laura Archbold (La Niña) is one of the most watched Latin music videos of all time.
6 AM and La Familia (album)
Balvin’s breakthrough was 2014’s 6 AM featuring Farruko. It’s about trying to remember what happened after a wild night of partying. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, and drove sales of his debut album La Familia.
José Álvaro Osorio Balvin
José Álvaro Osorio Balvin was born in Medellín, Colombia on May 7, 1985. After spending his late teenage years in Oklahoma and New York, Balvin went back home and started playing clubs in Medellín.
Medellín
Medellín is Colombia’s business and cultural capital, just as New York City is America’s business and cultural capital.
Most Colombian New Yorkers are “paisas” from Antioquia Department (the state of which Medellín is capital).
Medellín is the center of Colombia’s reggaeton music scene. It’s even a second home for Puerto Rican reggaeton singers like Farruko and Nicky Jam.