J Balvin, full name José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, is a Colombian singer and rapper. A native of the Colombian city of Medellín, Balvin is one of the best-selling Latin and bachata artists of all time.
He’s been awarded numerous Latin Grammys and received nominations for countless other awards, and his music video for the track “Mi Gente” has reached over a billion views on YouTube. He was even included on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020, and he was the first artist to get the Recording Industry Association of America’s diamond certification in the Latin field.
While Balvin’s music is influenced by a variety of musical genres, he’s considered one of the frontrunners of reggaeton, a style that blends elements of hip-hop, trap Latin music, house music, and Caribbean music. He’s well-known for songs like “Ay Vamos,” “Tranquila,” and “Con Altura.”
Throughout his career, Balvin has worked with the likes of Nicky Jam, Ozuna, Pitbull, The Black Eyed Peas, Ariana Grande, Robin Thicke, French Montana, and many more. Thanks to his work with both Latin and English-speaking artists, Balvin is one of the most well-known musicians on the planet. He was also the first Latino to headline at Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza, which led to The Guardian calling him “Colombia’s biggest cultural export.”
Here’s everything you need to know about J Balvin.