J Balvin is one of those Latin music artists who are raising babies while continuing to bring global hits.
Balancing the time he spends in the studio is time with his son Río, who was born in 2021. “I love going to the park with him, playing ball with him, watching cartoons and being the best his friend”. Colombian hitmaker shares with Advertising sign. “I really enjoy sitting and watching him, understanding his behaviors, what he's saying. It's amazing what it does to me.”
Like Balvin, younger dads, including Maluma, have embraced fatherhood and the impact it has had on their art and music. Maluma became a father in March and has been sharing special bonding moments with his daughter Paris ever since. “My first 15 days as a dad, these are the best I've ever experienced in my life,” the “Según Quién” singer. exploded on social media.
(Also see our list of “Top 20 Latin Songs for Father's Day”).
Another artist who is candid about fatherhood is Christian Nodal, who became a dad in September when his daughter Inti was born. In March, the mariacheño singer shared with Advertising sign what it was like to tour with a newborn: “I remember those times when I would get off stage and feel alone. Now, I get down in a stroller with my baby in it and everything looks perfect. When she was born, I felt exhausted. I don't know how I managed to change diapers, but it gives me energy, motivation and strength.”
With Father's Day just around the corner — celebrated on Sunday (June 16) — new fathers in Latin music are giving us a taste of how much their lives have changed since becoming dads. Below, J Balvin, Mike Bahía, Pipe Bueno and other Latin music artists also share how fatherhood has expanded and deepened their creative process, in their own words.
Additional reporting by Ingrid Fajardo and Jessica Roiz.
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Mike Bahia
Fatherhood has allowed me to be a little more self-aware. I want [my son] to feel proud of everything I do. Above all, more than the songs, it's the way I relate to people, the way I handle disappointments or moments of tension. I want my son to learn the things that make me proud of who I am. What I liked the most is sleeping with him, waking up with him and getting him to start talking.
One piece of advice that has always helped me to always be grateful and work with gratitude is to never run away from anyone. It's something my dad always told me.
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J Balvin
I remember a lot of something my dad always told me: “When you have kids you'll understand.” And now I get it.
I've always been a person who had some boundaries within the lyrics and what my music says. [Musically,] I don't feel like I had to change much, it's just that now I have the responsibility of being a father.
I like to go to the park with him, play ball with him and watch cartoons and being his best friend. I really like to sit and watch him, understand his behaviors, what he says. It's amazing what it does to me.
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Pipe Bueno
Image credit: JBusiness Manager
Fatherhood has not only affected my music, but everything! Musically, it's clear to me that I don't want to sing about certain subjects and use certain vocabulary. I found a balance and harmony in the songs that I want to perform for the audience. I take care of it a little bit more, and in the end it was great because it helped me center my north and remember where I am, where I come from and the artist I want to be and how I want to influence and affect the audience.
I enjoy most what they want to do with me when 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 they are and work together for them,” is something my dad would tell me. It's sad to see families that unfortunately behave in a very individualistic way and end up completely forgetting a brother, an uncle — and in that case it's always been a very beautiful teaching that if one moves forward, we all move forward. Family will always be a priority.
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Jason Jimenez
My father taught me by example. He wasn't a man to sit around and talk too much since I didn't grow up with him (he divorced my mom when I was 8). 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 make this plan to make tacos and be at home – we enjoy it so much.
The impact that fatherhood has had on me has been one of the things I've struggled with the most, because I have to choose between moving on, growing musically, going to awards — or being at home, taking care of my daughters and help with their work. i have tried it [maintain] a balance — it hasn't been easy, but for now I've achieved it. I feel that I was present in the most important moments of my family, my children and that is very important to me.
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Justin Quills
Image credit: Ighor Carzado
Being a father has affected me a lot [musically]. I think it gives me more desire to go forward, more desire to go out for my dreams. I'm not just fighting for me anymore — I'm fighting for her, I'm fighting for my family, and I have a reason to come home every time I leave. I want to go back as soon as I can, I want to go home and be with my family. It was a blessing to be a father.
I love sharing with her every morning. For me, mornings are about my daughter, watching TV with her for a while — but not too much TV, just shows that teach things to help her develop.
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Mafia
Fatherhood influenced me to be more aware of lyrics. I never want to imagine that Marley or Presley will ask me one day, “Dad, why did you say ass (butt) or this (female 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 is. I know that one day, when they grow up, they will learn what the song is — but in the meantime, I want to protect their innocence.
I especially enjoy the mornings with my daughters, when my oldest and youngest fall into my bed and we start making out. Sometimes I even miss meetings and my daughter is late for school, because we just enjoy that moment hugging each other. Obviously, I enjoy every moment and second with my daughters: when they eat, when they tell me a story, when I pick them up from school.
The best advice my father has given me is to be honest and respectful. It's the best advice I've applied to my life and what I do professionally and personally.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/latin-artists-fatherhood-influences-music/
