J Balvin, whose real name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, is a renowned Colombian singer celebrated for his contribution to the Latin music industry. Born on May 7, 1985, in Medellín, Colombia, he has earned the title of the “Prince of Reggaeton” (or “Príncipe del Reguetón” in Spanish).
J Balvin stands out as one of the best-selling Latin artists globally, boasting an impressive record of over 35 million records sold worldwide.
Balvin’s musical journey began in Medellín, but it was at the age of 17 that he embarked on a significant life-changing adventure. He moved to the United States to learn English, residing in both Oklahoma and New York. Upon returning to Medellín, he began performing at local clubs, gradually gaining recognition and building his musical career.
Throughout his illustrious career, J Balvin has earned numerous accolades, including eleven Billboard Latin Music Awards, six Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, and seven Latin American Music Awards. Additionally, he received four Grammy Award nominations. In 2017, he was honored as the Contemporary Latin Songwriter of the Year by the BMI Latin Awards for his substantial contributions to the Latin music industry. He also clinched the inaugural Global Icon Award at the Lo Nuestro Awards, a testament to his role in popularizing Latin music worldwide. Balvin made history by becoming the first Latino artist to headline prestigious global events such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza. His influence even led to recognition by the Guinness World Records as a “leader of a second-generation reggaeton revolution.”
J Balvin’s breakthrough came in 2014 with the hit single “6 AM,” featuring Puerto Rican singer Farruko, which soared to the second position on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. This success was followed by chart-toppers like “Ay Vamos” and “Ginza.” In 2016, he released the album “Energia,” featuring hit singles like “Bobo,” “Safari,” and “Sigo Extrañándote.” One of his monumental achievements was the release of “Mi Gente” in collaboration with Willy William, which topped the Global Top 50 on Spotify and later amassed over one billion views on YouTube. His impact continued in 2018 with the release of “Machika,” featuring Jeon and Anitta, as well as the chart-topping collaboration with Cardi B and Bad Bunny on “I Like It,” which received a Grammy Award nomination for Record of the Year. Balvin’s most recent album, “José,” was released in March 2021, further solidifying his position in the music industry.
While J Balvin is primarily associated with reggaeton, he has ventured into diverse musical genres, including electronica, house music, Latin trap, and R&B. His musical influences range from rock bands like Metallica and Nirvana to reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. Collaborations with Latin American artists such as Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, and Pitbull have expanded his reach. Notably, he has also collaborated with English-speaking artists like Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Black Eyed Peas, Cardi B, Dua Lipa, and Major Lazer. Remarkably, Balvin continues to sing predominantly in Spanish, aspiring to introduce Spanish-language music to a global audience. His eclectic and vibrant fashion sense further adds to his unique persona.
J Balvin’s contributions to the music industry have earned him prestigious awards, including the Vision Award at the Latin Heritage Awards in 2016 and the Golden Artist of Latin Urban Music at the Premios Heat in 2019. In 2020, he was recognized as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. Billboard has also acknowledged him as one of the Greatest Latin Artists of All Time. Notably, J Balvin holds the record for the most number one songs on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart and is the only Latin artist to achieve the number one spot on the Billboard charts a staggering 174 times.
