J Balvin
That is what the Latin star wants to achieve
Eight J Balvin music videos have been streamed over a billion times.
© Universal Music
Latin star J Balvin releases his new album “José”. In an interview, the Colombian explains what high goals he has set himself.
With hits like “Mi Gente” or “I Like It”, J Balvin (36) has also made a name for himself in German-speaking countries. In his homeland of Colombia he has long been a celebrated superstar. The reggaeton singer from Medellin will release his new album on September 10th. The title is “José”, named after his first name, because the artist’s real name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín.
“I chose the name because the album is much more personal than my other albums. It contains songs that are about my life. But of course, party songs and positive vibes are not neglected either. I want the people who love my music hear, just have a good time, “said the Latin star in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
J Balvin: “Women can also be players”
One of the songs on Balvin’s new album is called “Perra” (German: bitch). According to the singer, the song, which he recorded with Tokisha, is about “women and men are on the same level”. He explains: “The song ‘Perra’ is about the fact that women, just like men, can be rioters. If you are a player as a man, a woman can ‘bite’ you – because she may be just like you.” The singer wants nothing to do with reggaeton clichés like the male Latino player: “My kind of reggaeton music is just sexy and it doesn’t attack women in any way.”
For the singer, Jay-Z is an inspiration
Some collaborations can be found on Balvin’s album “José”, including “In Da Ghetto” with Skrillex (33), “Otra Noche” with Khalid (23) or “One Day” with Bad Bunny (27), Dua Lipa (26) and Tainy (32). “All the artists I worked with on my album are great. I am especially close to Skrillex. It’s just fun to work with. I’m very grateful for that,” reveals the singer.
However, the Latin star has not yet worked with his great idol: Rapper Jay-Z (51). “Jay-Z and I are friends. But I haven’t asked him about music together – but let’s see … Right now I just want to benefit from his experience and see him as my mentor,” says Balvin. “I want to share my Latin American music with the whole world, and there I can learn a lot from him.” His goal is to reach people across America. “And that’s why I like to surround myself with people who can inspire me and teach me something.” Also on Balvin’s wish list are collaborations with Drake (34), Rihanna (33), Kanye West (44) and The Weeknd (31). “I’m particularly interested in the hip-hop world,” says the reggaeton singer.
His goal: to bring Latin American culture into the world
“I want to bring people closer to Latin American culture. I want to inspire the world, not just Latinos, but everyone. I want to tell a little something about myself with my music,” says Balvin, explaining his goal as an artist. Therefore, singing in English instead of in Spanish in the future is out of the question for him. “I’m not saying that I’ll never do it. But if I do, it’s because I feel like it. I want to be true to myself and not let myself be persuaded,” he says.
In 2020, Balvin mixed up the Super Bowl halftime show alongside Shakira (44) and Jennifer Lopez (52) and performed at the Coachella Festival with Beyoncé (40). The Colombian has set his goals accordingly: “There is so much more that I want to achieve. I would like to be the main act at the Super Bowl. I want to make statements and break records. I won four Latin Grammys, which was easy is terrific. But I have more goals. “
Another item on his list is to travel to Germany again, where he was on tour in 2017. “I loved it. The Germans were so lovely,” he enthuses.
The singer wants to stay “natural”
How successful Balvin is is also shown by the number of his followers on Instagram, where he has almost 49 million subscribers. Adding all social media together, there are 144 million. “I just want to stay natural on Instagram. I don’t think too much, I just post what I feel like doing,” he says. This also applies to him in all other areas of life: “I do what I want – you can’t lock me in a cage.”