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fashion
J Balvin | Kindly Kiss The Ring, Then Take Your Seats

Known as the ‘prince of reggaeton,’ colombian singer and rapper J Balvin earned said title through his use of experimentation; mixing reggaeton with a variety of musical genres like rock, techno, house, and R&B. Balvin is musically and fashionably far-reaching—opening doors to unlimited options for the aforementioned musical genres he so effortlessly lords over, and of course, the looks he flexes.

Balvin first broke into the music scene in 2019 with his single “6 AM,” featuring Puerto Rican singer Farruko. The single peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, and was followed by “Ginza” and “Ay Vamos,” two other singles that helped make his name known and his intentions clear: make history.

Since then, Balvin has collaborated with prominent Latin artists such as Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Alejandro Sanz, Bad Bunny, and Pitbull, and has worked with world renowned, legendary English-speaking artists such as Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The Black Eyed Peas, Cardi B, Dua Lipa, and Major Lazer. Balvin’s most recent superstar collaboration was with British crooner Ed Sheeran, releasing a two-song project: “Sigue” and “Forever My Love.

LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S jacket, pants, and shoes, MIKE NEKTA NEW YORK necklace, and DITA EYEWEAR glasses.

MURRAY WEST sweatshirt, TIFFANY & CO. necklaces, POLITE WORLDWIDE pearl necklace, and LOEWE sunglasses.

Balvin is a four-time GRAMMY nominated star and one of the best-selling Latin music artists, with over 35 million records sold worldwide. He has won eight Billboard Latin Music Awards, five Latin GRAMMY Awards, four Latin American Music Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards. In 2019, he became the first Reggaeton artist to play the main stage at Coachella. Balvin was included on Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2020, and was named one of the Greatest of all Time Latin Artists by Billboard that same year.

In September 2021, Balvin released his latest album, JOSE, titled after Balvin himself, and it reached number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart, as well as number one on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts. He was getting ready to set off on the tour for JOSE when COVID got in the way. “COVID has caused some unforeseen production challenges,” Balvin wrote in an Instagram caption, apologizing to his fans. “And I wouldn’t be able to keep my promise of giving you the absolute best show possible. Because I believe you deserve that, I’ve made the difficult decision to reschedule the tour.” There is no new date for the concerts, however, we can be sure that when they do happen they will be an unforgettable experience.

GIVENCHY coat, top, and jeans, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI shoes, and DITA EYEWEAR glasses.

BRANDON BLACKWOOD coat, ZEGNA top, VALENTINO pants, POLITE WORLDWIDE necklaces, and talent’s own glasses.

Alongside his unique music, Balvin has a similar out-of-the-box sense of style, which has impacted the fashion world mightily. In 2020, he partnered with Nike on the J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 sneakers, “Colores y Vibras.” The shoes are certainly of the most colorful, vibrant, and trippy pair of Jordan 1s witnessed to date. Balvin became the Jordan brand’s first Latin artist collaborator, selling out his sneakers as quickly as Drake and Travis Scott (the brand’s notable musician collaborations before him). The “Air Balvins” will not be the last we will see of Balvin in fashion, as he teases at the possibility of a second collaboration around the corner.

Following our photoshoot in NYC ahead of his attending the Met Gala, Flaunt quickly caught up with the artist for his takes on his ascent, challenges faced, and what lies ahead.

BRANDON BLACKWOOD coat, ZEGNA top, POLITE WORLDWIDE necklaces, and talent’s own glasses.

You recently released “Sigue” and “Forever My Love” with Ed Sheeran. Both soared to the #1 spot on the Latin Billboard Airplay Chart. How did that collaboration come about? How did you meet and decide to work together?
Ed and I met randomly at a gym in New York. He had overheard me talking and recognized my voice. He came over and we started chatting and ended up spending the day together, talking about music and life. It was an instant friendship, and we knew immediately that we had to collaborate. We were able to build on each other’s strengths and unique talents, and the music flowed. The music we’ve created together is the best of both our worlds, so there’s something for everyone.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects/endeavors in the music space? How do they differ from your latest album, JOSE?

I’m pumped to be releasing more music with Ed [Sheeran]. As we were collaborating, the music and creativity just flowed. We were having fun, and pushing each other musically, so we didn’t want to limit it to just one track. I’m really proud of the sound and can’t wait for the world to hear.

As the ‘Prince of Reggaeton,’ you continue to bend the mold of the genre that is now receiving a newfound appreciation. How do you continue to surprise and influence your fans, fellow musicians, and the music industry as a whole?

I pay attention to up-and-coming artists and trends. Especially in Colombia, the underground music scene is a great place to discover new artists and draw inspiration. But most importantly, I enjoy and have a deep appreciation for all genres. And I like to integrate elements of other genres into my own music. Reggaeton itself is a blend of multiple types of music, so I don’t let myself feel stuck to a specific sound. I like to blur the lines and push boundaries.

LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S shirt and shoes, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO shorts, TIFFANY & CO. bracelet, OMEGA watch, and CULT X INITIUM glasses.

How do you think reggaeton has changed since you started making music? Has it been a positive change? Is there anything you miss about old-school reggaeton?

I think it’s important for people to understand that reggaeton is a relatively new genre. But even so, it has definitely evolved and I do think that’s a very positive thing. Reggaeton is traditionally a Latin form of reggae, so it was very localized to the Latinx communities. Now it’s become more universal, and people are listening to reggaeton all around the world. How could anyone see that as anything but positive?

What are you observing in this next wave of Latinx artists that excites and inspires you?
I’m seeing a lot of crossover collaborations between artists of different genres. And I think that’s the key to making all music more universal. It’s a way to reach different audiences and create something that’s never been done before.

What was one moment where you felt you had made it as an artist?
Making music is such a personal experience, but being able to transport it to people and hopefully bring some joy to them is what it’s all about. Being fortunate enough to tour around the world to crowds of incredible fans singing back your lyrics is the most humbling experience. From mi familia in Colombia and Latin America to here in the States to Europe, Australia, Asia, and everywhere in between. I think I understood the power of music and my work as an artist after I started touring and seeing that my music meant something to millions of people around the world. That relationship with my fans is one that is so special to me and reminds me every day of the power of music.

You have upcoming shows in Europe, and additional performances at upcoming festivals, both domestically and internationally, with more dates to be announced soon. How does it feel to be getting back on the road performing?

It feels incredible to be performing around the world and getting to meet fans from all over the
world. I’m in my element. I’m having fun and getting to share that joy and my music with fans.

GIVENCHY coat, shirt, and jeans, GUISEPPE ZANOTTI shoes, and DITA EYEWEAR glasses.

AMI PARIS coat, shirt, and pants, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI shoes.

What advice might you offer to youth that are struggling to be accepted in their community?

Never worry about having to fit in. Always strive to stand out. Embrace who you are and what makes you unique. Don’t bury the traits that make you who you are, it’s by embracing your uniqueness that you discover your talents, your passions, and your inspirations.

What do you think is unique about being in the music industry now versus when you were a youngster looking up to musicians?

I think social media has influenced the way the music industry reaches audiences and discovers new artists. When I was young, I would hear a musician on the radio and if I liked their music, I would need to buy their CD. Now, new music and artists are discoverable at our fingertips. It’s interesting to look back on the evolution of the industry from that perspective. But again, being able to reach a global audience is always a positive thing.

LOEWE sweatshirt, shorts, and glasses, RICK OWENS shoes, MIKE NEKTA NEW YORK necklace, TIFFANY & CO. bracelets. and BRANDON BLACKWOOD hat.

Personal style is very important to you. What would be your advice to those wanting to push their personal boundaries in terms of fashion and their personal style?
Don’t pay attention to trends. Take risks! Wear clothes and jewelry that make you feel good! Style your hair in a way that YOU love. When you remain inside the lines of what is “in”, you’re limiting your own creativity. And creativity should always be cultivated, never restricted.

You’ve had successful collaborations with artists across all genres. What do you look for when considering your next collaboration?

I love to work with artists who I can learn from. I like to think that I grow as a person with every new collaboration, and that is important to me. I hate standing still. I always want to be learning and evolving, just like my music.

In addition to being a world-renowned musician and fashion icon, you’re an entrepreneur and mental health advocate, with an interest in a number of other vocations. Can you tell us a bit about what you have going on outside of music?

I’ve always said I want my work to go beyond music. I want to leave a mark in business and fashion and the mental health space. Raising awareness on the importance of mental health and mental health resources is very important to me, and it has been the foundation for a lot of my projects. I co-founded OYE, a platform that will help those in need of mental health resources and assistance in both English and Spanish. On the fashion side, my second collaboration with Jordan Brand will also launch in the Fall, which I am so excited about. I was
so grateful that my first collaboration with them—J Balvin x Air Jordan 1—was so well-received, and I know everyone will love this next one. I also just launched my second collaboration with GUESS. Both collaborations are extremely special to me because they mirror the conversation around mental health. The goal of these collaborations is to keep bringing attention to the important mental health discussions that I’ve always kept as a priority throughout my career.

VERSACE top.


Photographed by Evan Browning
Styled by Gloria Johnson
Hair: Chris El Barbero
Makeup: Mitch Yoshida
Producer: Leon Hernandez
Flaunt Film by Gabriella Clifford
Location: SixtyHotels
Written by: Constanza Falco Raez