J Balvin, the Colombian reggaeton superstar, shared his insights on the future of reggaeton, the power of collaboration, and the importance of mutual support during difficult times at Billboard Latin Music Week 2024. As the cover star of Billboard, Balvin sat down for a Superstar Q&A with Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer, where he reflected on his career, the Latin music explosion, and his personal growth. Below are some of the best quotes from the interview.
A Great Day With J Balvin
Balvin discussed his new series, A Great Day With J Balvin, which focuses on public figures and artists. The goal is to have deep conversations about their spiritual and mental health struggles, bringing them out of their comfort zones.
"The series is really about sharing with artists, public figures, and getting them out of their comfort zone... I managed to get a lot of information out of them about their spiritual and mental health situations."
– J Balvin on his series, A Great Day With J Balvin.
Collaborating with New Talents
Balvin has always been a supporter of emerging artists, and collaboration has been a key part of his career. He shared that his passion for working with new talent comes from his own experience when he was starting out.
"I have always loved collaborating with new artists... I want that to happen for others, to be able to share in that dream of elevating their careers; to serve as a medium, without any interest of absorbing what they do."
Latino Gang and the Rise of Latin Culture
J Balvin is a strong advocate for the global rise of Latin culture, emphasizing the importance of Latino representation in spaces where they were previously absent. He highlighted how movements like Latino Gang have helped elevate Latin artists.
"My mindset has not only been about José or J Balvin, but about the general Latin culture... That our culture continues rising, that we are present in places where before we did not have the opportunity to sit."
The Explosion of Latin Music
Reflecting on the explosion of Latin music, Balvin noted that artists from Colombia and other Latin American countries have been able to thrive in diverse genres, thanks to the early groundwork laid by artists like himself. He acknowledged that, at the beginning of his journey, he felt alone in bringing reggaeton to the U.S.
"There is indeed a movement now. Before in Colombia, there were very few. At the beginning, I was alone... I was allowed to be one of the first to open the door for reggaeton [in the U.S.]."
Karol G: A Close Friend and Inspiration
Speaking about his close friend Karol G, J Balvin praised her for her resilience and patience, explaining how she has become an empowering figure for both men and women in the industry.
"Carolina [Karol G] is a person to be admired and highly respected... I always had faith that her moment would come, and I think it has just begun. She is definitely the woman who empowers everyone."
His Role in Colombian Reggaetón
While Puerto Rico is the birthplace of reggaeton, J Balvin shared how he saw the opportunity to represent Colombian reggaetón and bring the genre to a global audience.
"We didn’t have a map, but we had a desire... We lack a reggaeton artist that represents Colombia. We don’t have one. And I saw the opportunity to achieve that."
Personal Downfall and Growth
J Balvin also opened up about facing difficult times and learning from his personal downfall. He reflected on how the experience helped him realize who his true friends were and allowed him to focus more on his family.
"After that storm that fell on me... I learned a lot. It helped me to know who my friends are and who are not, to give myself more to my family, to my wife, to my closest friends, accompanying me at the time of darkness."
His Latest Album Rayo
Discussing his latest album, Rayo, Balvin shared how his new approach to making music is driven by passion rather than commercial success.
"Thank God, I can make music not out of necessity, but from a different point of view... It allowed me to connect with that inner child and enjoy the music without caring if it sells or not, but what makes me happy."
Coachella, Extraterrestrials, and Will Smith
Balvin touched on his fascination with extraterrestrial life, which he used as a concept for one of his shows, and defended Will Smith after his recent controversies, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond mistakes.
"I have always been very fanatical about extraterrestrial life... I explained to Will Smith that the alien was part of the original concept. You cannot erase the legacy that man has made."
Conclusion: A Visionary in Latin Music
J Balvin's Superstar Q&A during Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 highlighted his continued passion for pushing Latin music forward, supporting new talent, and using his platform to share meaningful stories. His vision for the future of reggaeton and Latin culture remains focused on inclusivity, creativity, and resilience.
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards will air on Sunday, October 20, on Telemundo, and will also be available on Universo, Peacock, and in Latin America via Telemundo Internacional.
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