J. Balvin

J Balvin, born José Álvaro Osorio Balvín on May 7, 1985, in Medellín, Colombia, became one of reggaeton’s defining global figures after helping move Latin urban music into the international pop mainstream. Raised in a middle-class family before financial problems pushed his household into a more difficult neighborhood, he spent time in the United States as a teenager, absorbing hip-hop influences from artists such as Puff Daddy and 50 Cent before returning to Colombia to finish school and pursue music. Working with longtime creative partner DJ David Rivera Mazo, J Balvin came up through Medellín’s clubs and rap battles, then scored his first Colombian number one with “En lo Oscuro” in 2011. He expanded his reach with “6 AM” in 2013 and “Ay Vamos” in 2014, the latter earning him a Latin Grammy, while collaborations and remixes with Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, and Enrique Iglesias helped broaden his audience. His 2016 album Energía topped Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, but “Mi Gente,” his 2017 collaboration with Willy William, became the major crossover moment, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a remix with Beyoncé. In 2018, J Balvin released Vibras, a bright mix of reggaeton, dancehall, and R&B with guests including Anitta, Carla Morrison, and Wisin & Yandel, and also appeared with Bad Bunny on Cardi B’s Hot 100-topping “I Like It.” He and Bad Bunny reunited for the joint album Oasis in 2019, before J Balvin performed at the Super Bowl halftime show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020 and released the color-themed album Colores. His next solo album, José, arrived in 2021 with singles including “Ma’ G,” “Tu Veneno,” and “Otra Noche Sin Ti” with Khalid, and went to number one on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. After teaming with Ed Sheeran on “Sigue” and “Forever My Love,” J Balvin returned in 2024 with Rayo, a reggaeton, Afrobeats, and dance-leaning album featuring Chencho Corleone, Luar La L, Feid, Saiko, Carín León, and other Latin urban collaborators. In 2025, he issued Mixteip, a ten-track project rooted in classic reggaeton aesthetics and featuring “Zun Zun” with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, “Uuu” with Stormzy, “Misterio” with Gilberto Santa Rosa, and “KLK” with Omega, alongside solo tracks such as “No Te Olvido,” “Rio,” and “Dónde Está Jose?” In 2026, J Balvin joined Amber Mark, Steve Vai, and Travis Barker on “JUMP,” the Coca-Cola anthem for the FIFA World Cup 26, then reunited with Ryan Castro for the joint album OMERTA, a 10-track Colombian urbano project featuring DJ Snake, Eladio Carrión, and SOG.