The air was thick with anticipation Wednesday (October 16) at the Wynwood Marketplace as Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 attendees gathered for what was billed as Next Gen Reggaetón: An Evening Curated by J Balvin. The event, sponsored by Cheetos and part of a series called The House of Huella, promised to put the spotlight on rising stars of the reggaetón genre: Omar Courtz, Saiko and Dei V.
Little did the crowd know, they were in for a huge surprise. The night kicked off with fiery sets from fresh talent Omar Courtz, followed by Saiko and then Dei V, each bringing their own unique flavors and rhythms to the eager audience. However, the atmosphere changed dramatically when J Balvin himself took the stage, unannounced, sending an electrifying charge through the crowd.
Dressed casually but impressively in a white T-shirt and blue jeans, Balvin — with his hair in cornrows — looked every bit the reggaetón titan that he is. He opened with “Mi Gente”, a worldwide hit that usually never fails to turn up the volume. Despite a brief hiccup with the sound system at the start, Balvin's charisma and energy quickly overcame the technical issue and had the crowd dancing with fervor.
His performance of 'Doblexxo', a hit from his latest album Rayowhich originally featured Feid, was particularly riveting. Balvin delivered the song with such passion and precision that it arguably surpassed the recorded version, resonating deeply with audiences and confirming its place as a new reggaetón classic.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Balvin also dipped into his pool of respectable hits. Tracks like “I Like It” and “Reggaetón” shouted the lyrics in unison, while his cover of “Tata” showcased the powerful Latin style drill that has taken the urban music landscape by storm. Additionally, collaborations like “Loco Contigo” and “Con Altura” reminded everyone of Balvin's versatility and global appeal.
Later, Saiko joined the Colombian artist to perform 'Gaga', Dei V on 'La Noche' and last but not least, Omar Courtz jumped in to deliver heady verses with J Balvin on 'En Alta' , all from his latest album.
The event highlighted J Balvin's role as a torchbearer for the genre. His ability to bridge the old with the new while promoting the next generation of artists is a testament to his influence and dedication to the music that has shaped his career.
Earlier in the day, Balvin participated in a Superstar Q&A during the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 panels.
Check out his opening set below:
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards airing at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 20, on Telemundo. It will be available simultaneously on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and in Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/j-balvin-latin-music-week-2024-surprise-show-1235804030/