From the very beginning of his career, J Balvin recognized he was different, and destined to become a trendsetter in both music and fashion.

Born José Osorio Balvin in Medellín, Colombia; he gravitated toward a slew of genres ranging from rap and rock to champeta, bachata and reggae, with his diverse interest in music laying a foundation for his own distinctive style as a multifaceted recording artist. At the age of 17, Balvin moved to Oklahoma as an exchange student and later to New York, where he not only learned the English language, but became captivated by the art-driven culture in the states. After returning to his native Medellín, with plenty of inspiration in tow, he began trying his hand performing out at clubs and went on to release his debut single, “Ella Me Cautivó,” and signing with EMI Colombia in 2009.

From there, his career focus was solidified and his passion further intensified, leading him to begin building his own catalog. In turn, he soon became a mainstay on the Latin pop chart in the U.S. and in his home country alike. In 2014, he released his breakout single “6 AM,” which featured Puerto Rican singer Farruko and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. In the years that have followed, J Balvin has continued to soar to new heights and build his audience, winning over new fans globally and collaborating with a slew of reputed artists. In addition to his aptitude for being an authentic crowd-pleaser, he has also found success in getting outside of his comfort zone and trying new things to advance his artistry.

”We’re breaking down all the walls of the market that tries to tell us we can’t do certain things,” he shared during an interview with FADER prior to his popularity bubbling over on the massive scale in which it resides today. “My medium is music, but my goal is to motivate people to dream.”

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From cultivating an eclectic and vibrant taste in fashion to remaining dedicated to singing almost exclusively in Spanish in order to celebrate the language across the world, J Balvin has become heralded as a leader in the Latin urban and pop markets, while inspiring others to pursue their dreams and embrace their heritages without compromise. As a trailblazing fixture and reggaeton singer, the star is leading the charge and molding the landscape of today’s contemporary music scene with flair and gratitude.

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