What is J Balvin’s net worth?
J Balvin, the Colombian reggaeton singer, has a net worth of $30 million and is considered one of the best-selling Latin artists with over 35 million sales worldwide.
With a massive social media following, J Balvin has over 50 million followers on Instagram, 30 million+ subscribers on YouTube, and has amassed an impressive 22 billion views on YouTube to date.
J Balvin’s Early Life and Career
J Balvin was born in Medellin, Colombia on May 7, 1985. He grew up listening to American rock groups like Metallica and Nirvana and developed an interest in reggaeton after listening to Daddy Yankee. Although he was born into a middle-class family and grew up in a large home in the hills outside the city of Medellin, his father’s business went bankrupt when Balvin was 15, causing the family to lose their home and car and relocate to a poorer neighborhood.
At 16, Balvin participated in a foreign exchange program that brought him to Oklahoma, but he was disappointed with the experience. After the program, he moved to New York City to study English and music, working as a dog walker to support himself. He worked illegally before deciding to return to Colombia and perform at various urban clubs in Medellin. He gained a following on social media as he enrolled at EAFIT University in Medellin.
J Balvin’s Rise to Fame
J Balvin began his music career at age 19 after meeting DJ David Rivera Mazo. He signed to EMI Columbia in 2009 and released his first single, “Ella Me Cautivo.” His international breakthrough came with “Yo Te Lo Dije” and his album “La Familia” in 2013.
His album “Energia” in 2016 reached #1 in Mexico and the US Latin chart, with the single “Ginza” becoming a massive hit and breaking records for Latin music videos. Balvin’s collaboration with Cardi B and Bad Bunny on “I Like It” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His fourth album, “Vibras,” debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Top Latin Albums chart and set records for the most-streamed Latin album in 24 hours. He collaborated with Bad Bunny on the surprise album “Oasis” in 2019, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
Balvin has won two Latin Grammy Awards and an MTV Europe Music Award. He has also collaborated with other artists, including Robin Thicke, Rosalia, and Major Lazer.
Plane Crash and COVID-19
In August 2016, J. Balvin was involved in a plane crash while departing from a vacation in the Bahamas with his family. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the accident. Despite his success, J. Balvin still resides in his hometown of Medellin, unlike many pop stars who move to the United States after gaining fame. In 2020, it was announced that J. Balvin contracted COVID-19 but made a full recovery.