The Colombian superstar just finished his electric "Back to the Rayo" tour, a 27-date run that included a Miami stop in March. The shows supported his comeback album Rayo, which featured tracks like "Doblexxo" and "Polvo de Tu Vida."
Despite all his accomplishments, he keeps his demeanor as a gentle giant of Latin music when he hops on a Zoom call with New Times from his apartment in New York City. "I feel grateful, truly grateful. And I think that's one of those things where, when I die, people are gonna remember me as someone who opened a different door," he says.
That's an honest remark that isn't far from the truth. Balvin was the spark that lit up the Colombian reggaeton scene, which has made stars out of Karol G, Feid, Blessd, Ryan Castro, and more.
"I say we did, because it wasn't just me. It was my team: Poppe, my DJ, all these guys from the hood who started with me. You know, dreaming of putting our sound out into the world," he reflects. "So I think it's even bigger than just us. We opened people's eyes, people from different nationalities, to the idea that, 'Okay, if someone from Colombia can do it, well, I'm from Argentina, I can do it too. I'm from Mexico, I can do it too. I'm from Ecuador, I can do it too.'"
Balvin is in prep mode for his new release, Mixteip, which came out today. This collection of songs was made to feel like you were pulling out your old-school iPod and putting it on shuffle. It gives you reggaeton flows, trap beats, a bit of salsa, a bit of merengue, and a whole lot of Balvin's signature flair.
Of the ten tracks, the one that immediately stands out is "Uuu," the collaboration with UK drill artist Stormzy, where the two trade verses and Stormzy even sings in Spanish on the hook. "The Stormzy story is cool because I had the blessing of him coming to the studio in London. And, you know, Stormzy is like the Jay-Z of the UK, right? He's the OG who really took drill to another level. Of course, you've got Skepta and all the new kids doing their thing too, but Stormzy's different."
Fun fact: this is actually Balvin's second time working with one of the UK drill's greats, having previously worked with Skepta on the latter's 2021 EP, All In. The collaboration is a testament to the fact that Balvin loves to work with international artists such as Ed Sheeran, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Dua Lipa.
"That's one of my biggest passions, you know? I love working with artists from different parts of the world. It's normal to do a song with someone from your scene or your town, but music is for the world, man. This music isn't just for Latinos. It's for everyone," he says.
On the list of recent collaborators, Balvin has reconnected with DJ Snake for their new track, "Noventa." It is their first song since the 2019 club banger "Loco Contigo." The track is fun, bouncy, and summertime-ready, reaching into '90s nostalgia for the chorus.
"It's a great friendship because we're both super honest. We're not in that 'diva mode' that some people enter this industry. We're just real people making music and having fun with it. He's a family guy too, and that's something I really admire about him. He's one of us, a real guy, through and through." Balvin shares.
Balvin also reached into nostalgia on Mixteip on multiple tracks, none more evident than "Zun Zun," which calls back to the reggaeton of Tego Calderon and the "Cangris" era. Balvin recruits Lenny Tavarez and Justin Quiles for throwback perreo vibes that will surely tear up the dancefloor in Miami.
"We just wanted to pay homage to reggaeton. We fell in love with it. When reggaeton really started blowing up in Puerto Rico and other parts of the world, it was in the 2000s. So we wanted to honor that era, the songs from that time, the look, the feel," he explains. They even used the same cameras they filmed reggaeton videos with back then. "I think fans who've been listening to reggaeton for over 20 years will appreciate that sense of nostalgia. And for the new generation, it'll sound fresh, because they've never heard it like this before."
Note to fans of other Latin music genres: Balvin has decided to hop on the salsa craze with "Misterio," teaming up with the legendary Gilberto Santa Rosa to make a popping track that starts like it should be played at Perro Negro but ends like something your tia would be dancing to at Ball & Chain. "I think that's a beautiful thing, that one of my favorite salsa artists didn't hesitate for a second when we sent him the idea," Balvin shares proudly. "It's a song we've had for almost two years, and to me, it's a blessing that one of my salsa idols said yes, and loved the track. It shows that we can navigate salsa and do something great."“My vision for my career hasn’t changed, but my personal life gives me a new kind of strength."
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Rounding out at the tail end of the project is "Rio," a song named after Balvin's son and dedicated to his partner Valentia Ferrer. The song, which he performed on tour earlier this year, encapsulates where Balvin is mentally right now: grateful for everything he has achieved, including being a Latin superstar and a family man in his own right. No longer out in the clubs like he used to be, he's a veteran who'd rather kick back on the weekend.
Balvin gets sentimental when we talk about the track: "My vision for my career hasn't changed, but my personal life gives me a new kind of strength. On tough days, seeing my kid's smile and hearing him say 'I love you' or 'I miss you' recharges me. Knowing someone's waiting for you with love at the end of the day gives me peace and keeps me going."
Balvin and his music may have gone global, but in his mind, he's still that kid from Colombia. Before the end of our conversation, he reflects again on how far he's come since the Medellín days. "I think the fact that we've inspired a younger generation to dream, to believe it's possible, that means everything. And it goes beyond just wanting to be an artist," he says. "Families are going to eat off that dream."
For Balvin, it's not just about music: "Whether you want to be a chef, a shoemaker, a fashion designer, whatever it is, the message is: If I made it coming from a neighborhood in Colombia, then you can too."
