José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, also known as J Balvin, is the “Prince of Reggaeton.” He has collaborated with all your favorite artists such as Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Khalid and Beyonce.
J Balvin was born in Medellín, Colombia. At the age of 17, he arrived in the United States where he fell in love with rap and artists like Jay Z.
J Balvin began his music career in the streets of Miami, but quickly realized he needed to return to Medellín to build a name for himself.
Though he became a success in Colombia in 2005, it wasn’t until 2014 that he became internationally known through his single “Ginza.” In 2019, J Balvin became the first Latinx to headline Coachella, Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza. His mission is not only to spread reggaeton all over the world but to spread the power of love and positivity as well.
Despite his monumental success, Balvin has remained humble and has become an activist for mental illness awareness. In recent years, Balvin has become more transparent in social media, exposing his battles through depression.
J Balvin’s latest project is a documentary where fans will be able to learn more about his personal life, his career and overall struggles with mental health. The documentary is titled, “The Boy From Medellín,” and will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime, May 7.
(Originally published in Reggaeton Ambiente.)