José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, known to the entire world as global superstar J Balvin, celebrates his birthday today. Over the last decade and a half, the Colombian hitmaker has fundamentally reshaped the international music landscape, elevating reggaeton from local Latin American clubs to the grandest stadium stages on the planet. He proved that Spanish-language music does not need to compromise its cultural roots to achieve absolute mainstream dominance.
A massive part of Balvin’s untouchable legacy is his remarkable, ego-free ability to collaborate. He possesses a unique talent for blending his smooth, effortless vocal flow with artists from entirely different genres, generations, and geographical backgrounds.
To honor his special day and celebrate his vibrant aesthetic, we are counting down the five most iconic, culturally significant joint tracks that cemented his status as a global icon.
1. “Mi Gente (Remix)” with Willy William feat. Beyoncé (2017)
When the original version of this hypnotic, brass-heavy track dropped, it was already a massive global hit. However, when Beyoncé surprisingly jumped onto the remix to sing in flawless Spanish, it transformed into a historic cultural phenomenon. All proceeds from the remix were generously donated to disaster relief charities across the Caribbean and Puerto Rico following devastating hurricanes. It solidified Balvin’s power as a global connector, proving he could seamlessly bring the biggest pop star on the planet into the reggaeton universe.
2. “I Like It” with Cardi B and Bad Bunny (2018)
Serving as the undisputed song of the summer in 2018, this vibrant, infectious track officially brought Latin trap to the absolute zenith of the Billboard Hot 100. Sampling a classic boogaloo beat, the spectacular trio delivered an anthem that was endlessly played at every club, pool party, and radio station across the globe. Balvin’s incredibly smooth, confident verse provided the perfect, relaxed counter-balance to Cardi B’s fiery delivery and Bad Bunny’s deep, booming baritone.
3. “LA CANCIÓN” with Bad Bunny (2019)
When two of the biggest titans in Latin music teamed up for the surprise collaborative album OASIS, fans expected high-energy club bangers. Instead, the undeniable standout of the project was this profoundly devastating, jazz-inflected heartbreak ballad. Balvin and Bad Bunny perfectly captured the agonizing, universally relatable feeling of hearing a specific song at a party that instantly reminds you of an ex-lover. It remains a deeply emotional masterpiece that showcases a rarely seen, vulnerable side of the superstar.
4. “Con Altura” with Rosalía and El Guincho (2019)
Teaming up with the unstoppable Spanish powerhouse Rosalía, Balvin delivered a masterful, modern tribute to classic old-school reggaeton. The track blends flamenco-inspired vocal flourishes with a heavy, relentless dembow beat that is completely impossible not to dance to. The collaboration resulted in one of the most visually stunning, highly conceptual music videos of the decade, racking up billions of views and officially turning the phrase “con altura” into a global pop-culture mantra.
5. “X” with Nicky Jam (2018)
You cannot talk about the history of modern reggaeton without mentioning the unmatched chemistry between J Balvin and Nicky Jam. Built on an incredibly unique, slightly synthesized dancehall rhythm, “X” was an absolute masterclass in infectious simplicity. The bright, color-blocked music video, which featured the duo performing their signature, instantly viral leg-shuffling dance routine, dominated YouTube for the entirety of the year. It perfectly encapsulated the bright, optimistic, and effortlessly cool energy that has defined Balvin’s entire career.
