J Balvin, currently trekking his first-ever U.S. tour alongside Mexican starlet Becky G, is a far cry from his mixtape days in Medellin, Colombia. After a rigorous spell of performing nightclubs and releasing a number of hits in his native country, Balvin released a track titled “6 AM” featuring Puerto Rican artist Farruko that catapulted his career to the next level. The song exploded in the U.S. and throughout Latin America, garnering considerable buzz from DJs around the world.
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But what the 30-year-old ended up doing with the singular record was re-igniting the millennial reggaeton revolution. In other words, nothing was the same. Now a Latin Grammy-nominated artist and crossover hopeful, Balvin recalls what it was like growing up Colombian and evokes bits of childhood nostalgia in the process.
Unforgettable childhood memory:
You know what’s so interesting about that? I’m still a child at heart! [Laughs]. So, I would have to say that this very moment, right now, is most unforgettable.
Favorite home cooked dish:
Believe it or not… some killa BBQ. Can’t go wrong with great BBQ.
Craziest Hispanic proverb as told by mami or abuela:
Ha. The day you consider yourself a star is the day when you’ll lose your shine in my eyes.
I saw myself as Latino when…
I saw myself as Latino when I started to travel the world. Seeing other parts of the world opens you up, makes you look at yourself.
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Chupacabra or El Cuco:
Aw man… El cuco! But the sucker never caught me! [Laughs]
Poor man’s meal:
Rice and eggs. It never gets old, though. And honestly, I can eat that for the rest of my life.
Household cure-all/remedy:
Dolex! Headache, fever, pain? Dolex.
Salsa, Bachata or Reggaeton
Come one, man. You already know. REGGAETON!
Telenovela guilty pleasure:
The Walking Dead. So, so good.
Historical hero/heroine?
I really have too many to choose just one…
Life mantra:
I’m a very passionate person, so VIVIR PARA SOÑAR! (Or live to dream).