J Balvin
J Balvin is a Colombian reggaeton singer and one of the best-selling Latin artists of his generation, with some 35 million records sold worldwide. Since breaking out at the end of the 2000s, he has helped carry reggaeton from the clubs of Medellín onto the global pop stage.
Origins
Born José Álvaro Osorio Balvín in Medellín, Colombia, he moved to the United States at 17 to learn English, living in Oklahoma and New York before heading back home. Returning to Medellín, he built a following performing in the city's clubs, the launchpad for a recording career that began around 2009.
The sound
Balvin works squarely in reggaeton, pairing its signature dembow rhythm with a smooth, melodic delivery and an accessible pop sensibility that travels easily across languages and borders.
Legacy
As one of the best-selling Latin artists, with around 35 million records sold, Balvin stands among the key figures who pushed reggaeton into the international mainstream and made Medellín a recognized hub for the genre.
Signature song
Mi Gente
"Mi Gente" is his signature song, an anthemic global hit that captured the moment reggaeton became a worldwide pop phenomenon.
Top songs
- 1
Mi Gente ★
Vibras · 2018
- 2
X (Equis)
X (EQUIS) (Tribute to Nicky Jam and J Balvin) · 2018
- 3
Ginza
Energía · 2016
- 4
Safari
Energía · 2016
- 5
Ay Vamos
La Familia B Sides · 2014