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Colombian superstar J Balvin shined at the 2024 Latin Billboard Music Awards, where he not only delivered an emotional speech upon being honored with the special Spirit of Hope Award — which he got from his colleague and fellow countryman Maluma — but also delivered one of the night’s most spectacular performances with an explosive salsa music finale.
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Balvin, recognized for his philanthropic efforts through his Vibra En Alta Foundation, spoke emotionally as he accepted the award, created in honor of the late Selena Quintanilla to highlight stars who have dedicated extraordinary time and efforts to civic, community, and humanitarian purposes beyond their artistic achievements.
“I’ve always liked to help my people quietly, because those are the awards that one carries forever,” he said. “These awards come and go, but the awards of the soul, helping a friend, serving others, those are the ones that are most worthwhile.”
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Amid screams from fans, who chanted “Balvin, Balvin!”, he dedicated the award to his life partner, Valentina, his son Río, his friends and his fans for their constant support.
“At the Vibra En Alta Foundation, that’s really what we do, look for ways to help elevate the aspirations and dreams of others, children, single mothers, people who have suffered from abuse — we always want to help them raise their vibes so that they can find their way,” he added. “Now that I am a family man, I am getting involved in a job that is quite complex which is [the fight against] child trafficking. It’s something very few talk about, and I’ve been told to be very careful, but I prefer to die for our children and our families rather than stay silent.”
Balvin, dressed in a two-piece white suit and sneakers, received the trophy from Maluma, whom he mentioned in his recent Billboard cover story as a colleague he turned to for advice during tough times, becoming good friend. “Today we are celebrating an artist who with his music has taken our culture around the world,” said Maluma as he presented the award amid cheers from the audience. “Jose is a great representative not only of our country, Colombia, but of our genre, a man that gives without expecting anything in return.”
J Balvin during the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2024 show at Mediapro Studio on October 17, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Christopher Polk
Moments ealier, Balvin transported viewers to an Amazon jungle to perform onstage his hit “Cosa de Locos” accompanied by an energetic group of dancers. The song, part of his latest album Rayo, is a fast and forceful reggaeton combined with futuristic synthesizer rhythms, but for the Latin Billboard Music Awards, the star brought a surprising arrangement that ended with a salsa rhythm, igniting the audience at the Mediapro Studio in Miami Beach, Florida.
Balvin also headlined the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, sitting down on Wednesday (Oct. 16) for a Superstar Q&A in which he reflected on the industry and his career.
With his Spirit of Hope Award, the artist joins a list of previous honorees including Carlos Santana, Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee, El General, Emmanuel, Gloria Estefan, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Karol G, Los Tigres del Norte, Luis Fonsi, Maná, Marc Anthony, Ricardo Montaner, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Soraya, Olga Tañón, and Willy Chirino.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2024 also featured performances by J Balvin, Grupo Niche, Pepe Aguilar, Gloria Trevi, Maria Becerra, Xavi, Chencho Corleone, Prince Royce, Gabito Ballesteros, Proyecto Uno, and more.
To keep up with more performances, special awards, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the awards night, visit Billboard.com.
On Thursday night (Oct. 5), the Latin Billboard Music Awards took over Coral Gables, Fl. for an epic 30th year. Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods for trophies including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts […]
Bad Bunny is ready to sing a new song live on Oct. 5 for the first time, when he takes the stage at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Billboard and Telemundo announced Thursday (Sept. 28) that the Puerto Rican superstar will be part of the ceremony at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The show will be broadcast live on Telemundo and simultaneously on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and on the Telemundo app. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, it will be available on Telemundo Internacional.
They didn’t specify what song Bad Bunny will be performing, but it says in a press release that the hitmaker “will set the stage on fire at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards with a worldwide premiere.” His most recent release is the reggaetón banger “Un Preview,” which just came out Monday.
The singer of “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Me Porto Bonito,” a 15-time finalist at this year’s Latin Billboards, joins a stellar list of artists confirmed to sing at the gala, including Calibre 50, Chiquis, Eddy Lover, El Alfa, Eladio Carrión, Farruko, Grupo Frontera, Justin Quiles, La Factoría, Los Ángeles Azules, Manuel Turizo, Marc Anthony, Marshmello, Olga Tañón, Los Sebastianes, Myke Towers, Nicki Nicole, Pepe Aguilar, Peso Pluma, Sky Rompiendo, Sofía Reyes, Tini, Ximena Sariñana, Yandel and Yng Lvcas.
Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 21 nods across 15 categories, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.
Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each, including four together for their collab “un X100to,” while Karol G has 13, and Shakira and Fuerza Regida have 12 each. See the complete list of finalists here.
Among the special honorees, Los Ángeles Azules will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards 2023, while Ivy Queen will be recognized with the Icon Award. Colombian superstar Karol G will be honored with the Spirit of Hope Award in recognition of her commitment to civic, community and humanitarian causes through her Con Cora Foundation.
As has been the case for more than 20 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards coincide with Billboard’s annual Latin Music Week, the single largest and most important gathering of the Latin music industry, taking place Oct. 2-6. The event will feature panels, conversations and workshops at the Faena Forum and exclusive performances and fan experiences throughout the week in Miami. Shakira, Myke Towers, Vico C, Grupo Frontera, Peso Pluma, Nicki Nicole, RBD and many more are confirmed to participate.
Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.
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