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Who Is J Balvin?
J Balvin, born José Álvaro Osorio Balvin on May 7, 1985, in Medellín, Colombia, is a globally renowned reggaeton artist who has played a pivotal role in the genre’s international expansion. Beginning his music career in the early 2000s, Balvin’s breakthrough came with hit singles such as “Ay Vamos,” “Ginza,” and “Mi Gente.” His albums, including Energia (2016), Vibras (2018), and Colores (2020), have been critical in shaping his reputation as a creative force in Latin music. A multi-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Balvin is also recognized for his fashion sense and candid discussions about his struggles with mental health, particularly his battle with depression.
How Old Is J Balvin?
J Balvin was born on May 7, 1985, in Medellín, Colombia, to José Álvaro Osorio and Alba Mery Balvin.
Childhood and Musical Beginnings
Raised in the upscale neighborhood of Belén-Malibú in Medellín, J Balvin was heavily influenced by American rock bands like Nirvana and Metallica, which led him to take up the guitar at the age of 11. His childhood, however, was marked by financial challenges when his father’s business went bankrupt, forcing the family to downsize and move to a more modest area. Balvin took on various odd jobs, including selling gum and clothes at school, to help make ends meet.
At 18, Balvin participated in an English-language exchange program in Oklahoma, where he experienced significant isolation. After his host confiscated his passport and cut off communication with his family, he escaped to Staten Island, New York, where he lived with an aunt, worked walking dogs, and immersed himself in the hip-hop culture of the city.
Back in Medellín, Balvin briefly attended college, studying international business and communications, but dropped out to pursue his true passion—music.
Early Career
Inspired by reggaeton’s rise, particularly the success of Daddy Yankee, Balvin began crafting his own take on the genre, blending dancehall and hip-hop influences. He teamed up with the producers of Infinity Music and gained attention through extensive touring and a strong presence on social media.
By 2009, Balvin had built a substantial following, leading to a record deal with EMI Colombia. His mixtape Real was re-released, and singles like “Ella Me Cautivó,” “Sin Compromiso,” and “En Lo Oscuro” garnered significant radio airplay. In 2011, his rapid ascent in the Latin music scene was solidified with four wins at the prestigious Premios Nuestra Tierra.
Albums and Songs
‘La Familia’
J Balvin began to taste international success in 2012, with the chart-topping singles “Yo Te Lo Dije” and “Tranquila” making waves in the United States. His breakthrough continued with the Billboard Latin Music Award-winning “6 AM,” which was released just before the debut of his first album, La Familia, under Universal Music’s Capitol Latin label in October 2013. The following year, he released La Familia B Sides and the track “Ay Vamos,” which became the first Latin urban song to reach 1 billion views on YouTube.
‘Energia’
J Balvin’s upward trajectory continued with the release of “Ginza” in the summer of 2015, which dominated the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for a record-breaking 22 weeks. He also appeared on the Latino remix of Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and collaborated with Pharrell Williams and Bia on the track “Safari.” These efforts contributed to his 2016 album Energia, which won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album.
‘Vibras’
By the summer of 2017, Balvin’s global recognition was solidified with the release of the smash hit “Mi Gente,” which not only became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 but also received a popular remix featuring Beyoncé. His 2018 album Vibras earned a second consecutive Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album. Balvin also achieved a new milestone by becoming the most-streamed artist on Spotify, leading to him claiming the top spot for global monthly listeners.
‘Oasis’
In 2018, after a successful collaboration with Bad Bunny and Cardi B on “I Like It,” Balvin released Oasis with Bad Bunny in June 2019. The album produced popular tracks like “Qué Pretendes” and “La Canción,” both of which performed well on the Latin charts. Later that year, his collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas on “Ritmo” gave Balvin another Top 10 hit.
‘Colores’
Following his performance alongside Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020, Balvin released his album Colores. Featuring artwork by renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the album included tracks like the soulful “Blanco” and the lively “Amarillo.” That summer, Balvin unveiled “Agua” for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, rounding off a remarkable year with a record-setting 13 Latin Grammy nominations.
‘Jose’
In 2021, Balvin released Jose, a 24-track album that included the collaborations “Un Día (One Day)” with Bad Bunny and Dua Lipa, and “Una Nota,” which gave Balvin a record-setting 33rd No. 1 hit on the Latin Airplay Chart. He also contributed to Pokémon 25: The Album with “Ten Cuidado” before teaming up with Ed Sheeran for the release of “Sigue” and “Forever My Love” in 2022.
Girlfriend and Son
Balvin’s personal life has also garnered attention. He met Argentine model Valentina Ferrer in 2017 while filming the video for “Sigo Extrañándote,” and they went public with their relationship at New York Fashion Week the following year. In June 2021, Ferrer gave birth to their son, Rio, a name Balvin explained to Ellen DeGeneres as symbolizing the peaceful flow of a river.
Fashion and Style
Beyond his music, Balvin is known for his bold sense of style, which includes tattoos, ever-changing hair colors, and eye-catching fashion choices. He made headlines for his Met Gala debut in 2021, wearing a flower-speckled outfit paired with a matching face covering. His fashion endeavors have led to collaborations with GUESS and Nike’s Air Jordan brand, as well as the launch of the BodegaWear collection in partnership with Miller Lite in 2022.
Mental Health and OYE
Balvin has been open about his struggles with depression and panic attacks, which have been ongoing throughout his rise to international stardom. He sought therapy and credits it, along with meditation, healthy eating, and relaxing activities like coloring books, with helping him manage his mental health. In May 2022, Balvin launched OYE, a bilingual mental wellness app designed to foster reflection, expressive movements, and focused listening to improve users’ mental well-being.
TV Shows and Films
In 2016, Balvin joined La Voz Mexico as a coach for its fifth season. He later appeared on The Hollywood Puppet Show and Nicky Jam: El Ganador in 2018, before playing a fictionalized version of himself on the FXX series Dave in 2021. Additionally, Balvin voiced the reggaeton singer Tresillo in the 2020 animated film Trolls World Tour and was the subject of the Amazon Prime documentary The Boy From Medellín in 2021.