J Balvin Biography

(One of the World's Best-Selling Latin Music Artists Referred to as 'Prince of Reggaeton')

Birthday: May 7, 1985 (Taurus)

Born In: Medellín, Colombia

J Balvin is a Colombian singer specializing in the ‘Reggaeton’ musical genre which originated in Puerto Rico during the late 1990s. He is famous for delivering numerous platinum and gold certified singles over the years. Balvin moved to the United States to learn English and while there, he was exposed to the hip-hop genre and was deeply influenced by the music. He announced his arrival in the music industry with the release of the hit single ‘6 AM’ which featured on the top charts in 2014. Since then, he has delivered several popular albums like ‘Energia’ which charted in Mexico and also on Billboard’s Top Latin Charts. His hit singles like ‘En Lo Oscuro’, ‘Yo Te Lo Dije’, ‘Ay Vamos’, ‘Ginza’, and ‘Mi Gente’ have established him as one of the top reggaeton singers worldwide. The two-time Latin Grammy Award winner has also worked with famous artists like Willy William and Beyoncé.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: José Álvaro Osorio Balvín

Age: 39 Years, 39 Year Old Males

Family:

father: José Álvaro Osorio

mother: Alba Mery Balvin

Rappers Colombian Men

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Males

City: Medellín, Colombia

  • 1

    What is J Balvin's biggest hit song?

    J Balvin's biggest hit song is "Mi Gente" featuring Willy William, which reached the top of the charts in multiple countries.
  • 2

    Which genre of music is J Balvin known for?

    J Balvin is known for reggaeton and Latin music. He has played a significant role in popularizing reggaeton around the world.
  • 3

    Where is J Balvin from?

    J Balvin is from Medellín, Colombia. He is proud of his Colombian heritage and often incorporates it into his music.
  • 4

    What languages does J Balvin sing in?

    J Balvin primarily sings in Spanish, but he has also released songs in English and Portuguese, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
  • 5

    Has J Balvin collaborated with other famous artists?

    Yes, J Balvin has collaborated with many famous artists, including Beyoncé, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and more. His collaborations have helped him reach a wider audience and gain international recognition.
Career
Although primarily known as a reggaeton singer, Balvin has been inspired by several other genres including house music, trap, R&B, as well as rock. He is a huge admirer of the rock bands Metallica and Nirvana. After spending a lot of time in the United States, he returned to Colombia and began performing at various urban clubs in Medellín and later adopted the stage name of ‘J Balvin El Negocio’. He collaborated with his future business partner David Rivera Mazo and started producing their own brand of music without any music label. His music was mostly a hybrid of Puerto Rican reggaeton with elements of other genres.
In 2009, he signed a contract with EMI Colombia and released his first single (under a music label) ‘Ella Me Cautivó’ which featured on Billboard’s Top 50 Tropical Songs chart. In 2014, he tasted mainstream success when he teamed up with Puerto Rican singer Farruko for the single ‘6 AM’. The single was a huge hit in the United States as well as in Europe and Latin America. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number four on Colombia’s top charts.
Balvin won his first major award in 2015, when he was awarded the Latin Grammy Award for ‘Best Urban Song’ for the single ‘Ay Vamos’. The single topped the Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as well as Colombia’s top charts. In 2015, he released another top single, titled ‘Ginza,’ which topped the charts in Colombia, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. The song not only reached 600 million views on Vevo but also set a new Guinness World Record for the longest stay at number one on the chart.
In 2016, he released his fourth studio album ‘Energia’ which topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart on its debut as well as debuted at number 38 on the all-genre Billboard 200. The album delivered hit singles like ‘Safari’, ‘Bobo’ and ‘Sigo Extranandote’; ‘Bobo’ reached the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. The album received worldwide praises from various organizations and earned a place in Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Latin Albums of 2016.
A year later, Balvin released another hit single, ‘Mi Gente’ featuring Willy William; the official music video of the single became the number 1 song in the world according to Global Top 50 on Spotify. It also reached an astonishing 1 billion views on YouTube within just six months of its release. The song was later remixed, featuring an appearance by the American singer Beyoncé.
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Personal Life
J Balvin was born as José Álvaro Osorio Balvin in Medellín, Colombia on May 7, 1985, to an upper middle-class family. His father owned a business and they were financially well off. However, after the business went down and his father became bankrupt, they had to move to a poorer neighborhood. Balvin’s life changed after that and he grew up in a society where hip-hop had a great influence. He enrolled in an English-exchange program in Oklahoma and moved to New York City to study English and music. He also worked as a dog walker during those times to earn his livelihood. In 2015, Balvin was due to perform at the Miss USA 2015 event; however, he canceled his program in a protest against Donald Trump’s insulting remarks on immigrants.
Facts About J Balvin
J Balvin's real name is Jose Alvaro Osorio Balvin, and he chose his stage name by combining the first letter of his first name with the first syllable of his last name.
He is known for his colorful and eccentric fashion sense, often incorporating bold patterns and unique accessories into his outfits.
J Balvin is a proud advocate for mental health awareness and has openly discussed his own struggles with anxiety and depression, helping to break the stigma surrounding these issues.
In addition to his music career, J Balvin is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable initiatives to support his community in Colombia.
He is a huge fan of Japanese culture and has incorporated elements of Japanese art and fashion into his music videos and performances.

Awards

MTV Video Music Awards
2018 Best Latin Video J. Balvin & Willy Williams: Mi Gente (2017)

How To Cite

Article Title
- J Balvin Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/j-balvin-41352.php

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