J Balvin & More Latin Artists Share How Fatherhood Reshapes Their Music

Fatherhood has allowed me to be a little more conscious. I want [my son] to feel proud with every single thing I do. Above all, more than in the songs, it’s the way I relate to people, how I handle frustrations or moments of tension. I want my son to learn the things that make me proud of who I am. What I’ve enjoyed most is sleeping with him, waking up with him and having him start talking.

One piece of advice that has always helped me to always be grateful and to work under gratitude is to never go over anyone’s head. It’s something my dad would always tell me.

I remember a lot something my dad would always tell me: “When you have children you will understand.” And now I understand it.

I have always been a person who has had certain limits within the lyrics and what my music says. [Musically,] I don’t feel like I’ve had to change much, just that now I have the responsibility of being a father.

I love going to the park with him, playing ball with him and seeing cartoons and being his best friend. I really enjoy sitting down and watching him, understanding his behaviors, what he says. It’s amazing what it does to me.

Fatherhood has influenced not only my music, but everything! Musically, it’s clear to me that I don’t want to sing about certain themes and use certain vocabulary. I found a balance and harmony to the songs that I want to interpret to the public. I take care of that a little more, and in the end it was wonderful because it helped me to center my north and remember where I am from, where I come from, and the artist I want to be, and how I want to influence and impact the public.

I enjoy most whatever they want to do with me at the time they want to do it. It is very spontaneous and changeable. Sometimes the little one wants us to play with dinosaurs, sometimes the older one wants us to play in the grass. We play a lot of I’m the monster, and I catch them. Seeing the happy faces of both of them is priceless, it’s wonderful.

“Love, respect, and accept the family as it is, and work together for them,” is something my dad would tell me. It is sad to see families that unfortunately behave in a very individualistic way and end up forgetting a brother, an uncle completely — and in this case it has always been a very beautiful teaching that if one moves forward, we all move forward. Family will always be a priority.

My dad taught me by example. He was not a man to sit and talk a lot, since I didn’t grow up with him (he separated from my mom when I was 8 years old). But I always saw him working, dreaming, doing.

One of the things I enjoy most with my kids is going out to eat, going to the movies and watching movies at home. We always do that plan of making tacos and being in the house – we enjoy it so much.

The impact fatherhood has had on me has been one of the things I’ve struggled with the most, because I have to choose between moving forward, growing musically, going to awards — or being at home, taking care of my daughters and helping with their homework. I have tried to [maintain] a balance — it has not been easy, but for now I have achieved it. I feel that I have been present in the most important moments of my family, of my children, and that is very important to me.

Being a father has influenced me a lot [musically]. I think it gives me more desire to go forward, more desire to go out for my dreams. I no longer fight now just for me — I fight for her, I fight for my family and I have a reason to return home every time I go away. I want to return as soon as I can, I want to return home and be with my family. It has been a blessing to be a father.

I love to share with her every morning. For me, the mornings are for my daughter, to watch television with her for a little while — but not too much TV, just shows that teach things to help her develop.

Fatherhood impacted me about being more conscious with lyrics. I never want to imagine having Marley or Presley ask me one day, ‘Dad, why did you say culo (butt) or toto (woman’s private part)’? And I don’t want that day to ever come. For example, one of my biggest hits is ‘Cristina,’ and we all know what the song’s about. I know that one day when they get older, they will know what the song is about — but in the meantime, I want to protect their innocence.

I mostly enjoy the mornings with my daughters when my eldest and youngest hop onto my bed, and we just start snuggling. Sometimes I even miss meetings and my daughter is late to school, because we’re just enjoying that moment hugging each other. Obviously, I enjoy every moment and second of being with my daughters: when they eat, when they’re telling me a story, when I pick them up from school.

The best advice my father has given me is to be honest and be respectful. It’s the best advice I’ve applied to my life and in what I execute professionally and personally.