Multi-million-selling. Multi-billion-streaming. A pioneering force for Latin music worldwide. A cultural and fashion icon. All of these apply to J Balvin, who is quite simply the number-one star of Spanish-language music today. His fusion of reggaeton, R&B, and his native tongue have made him an inspiration to millions around the world. His career has seen him work with the likes of Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Pharrell Williams, and dozens of other artists — all of whom is he comfortably equal to. His tally of 13 Latin Grammy nominations in a single night is an official world record. His recent releases include two global hits with Ed Sheeran: ‘Sigue’ and ‘Forever My Love’.

Born in Medellín, Columbia, Balvin grew up immersed in music as diverse as Nirvana and Daddy Yankee. He built his initial reputation in the urban clubs of his home town and released his first track in 2004. He became a star in Columbia at the turn of the decade, with his first number one being 2011’s ‘En Lo Oscuro’. It took another few years of graft, but he broke through to the big time with his 2014 single, which topped the Billboard Latin charts. Within a year, he was being courted by the likes of Justin Bieber, Pharrell, Ariana Grande, and many others, all of whom wanted to either be on his tracks or get him on their remixes.

Balvin’s success as a Latin singer is all the more remarkable for his refusal to compromise and sing in English. In doing so, he has become an icon to Latin Americans and a true reggaeton innovator.