José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, known professionally as J Balvin, is a Colombian singer and rapper who has been called the "Prince of Reggaeton". He is one of the best-selling Latin music artists, with over 35 million records sold worldwide. Balvin was born in Medellín, Colombia, on May 7, 1985. At 17, he moved to the United States to learn English, living in both Oklahoma and New York. He then returned to Medellín, where he gained popularity performing in clubs.
Career Beginnings
At age 19, he began to seriously pursue a musical career, adopting the stage name J Balvin "El Negocio," which means "The Business". He and his DJ and business partner, David Rivera Mazo, started producing and promoting their own music. In 2009, he signed a record deal with EMI Colombia. His first international hit was "Yo Te Lo Dije".
Rise to Fame
Balvin's breakthrough came in 2014 with the single "6 AM" featuring Farruko, which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. This was followed by the hit "Ay Vamos," which won a Latin Grammy Award. His 2016 album, "Energia," included successful singles like "Ginza," "Bobo," and "Safari". The music video for "Ginza" broke the record for the most views for a Latin music video in the first 24 hours. In 2017, his track "Mi Gente" with Willy William topped the Spotify Global Top 50. A remix featuring Beyoncé helped the song reach the top ten in the U.S. His 2018 collaboration on the song "I Like It" with Cardi B and Bad Bunny reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
Musical Style and Collaborations
While his music is primarily reggaeton, J Balvin has experimented with various genres including electronica, house music, trap, and R&B. His early influences included rock bands like Nirvana and Metallica, as well as reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. He has collaborated with numerous artists such as Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and Rosalía.
Impact and Achievements
J Balvin is credited as a leader of the second-generation reggaeton revolution. He was the first Latino artist to headline major global music festivals like Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza. He has won numerous awards, including six Latin Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Latin Music Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards. Guinness World Records recognized him for having the most Latin Grammy nominations in a single year in 2020. He is also known for his distinctive and colorful fashion sense and has collaborated with brands like Guess and Nike.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
J Balvin has been open about his struggles with mental health. He is in a relationship with Argentine model Valentina Ferrer, and they have a son, Rio, born in 2021. Through his Vibra en Alta Foundation, he supports young people in Colombia by providing them with opportunities to pursue their dreams. For his philanthropic work, he received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award.