J Balvin has taken social media by storm with Rayo, his highly anticipated 7th studio album, in which the Colombian artist makes a big comeback after a break of almost two years.
Rayo, which translates to “Lightning”—a name quite revealing for the global reggaeton explosion—represents a bold and electrifying addition to his discography. It takes listeners on a nostalgic and innovative journey back to his musical roots. «Inspired by his early career and with a ‘started from the bottom’ ethos, this project captures the youthful essence of Balvin’s creativity and boundless passion.
The album blends reggaeton with elements of electronic pop, dembow, Mexican music, and urban sounds. His new studio work is a testament to Balvin’s enduring love for music and his ability to reinvent himself while staying true to his roots, offering a refreshed yet familiar atmosphere that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners.
However, there is a track on the album that has caught our attention and could potentially reference his feud with Residente, former lead vocalist of Calle 13 and a veteran in the genre. Which track is it?
‘Bajo y Batería’: J Balvin’s Possible Response to Residente
One of the reasons cited for Balvin’s 2022 hiatus was his beef with the veteran Latin hip-hop artist Residente. The bad blood between them began to spill into the public sphere at the end of 2021.
It all started with Balvin criticizing the Latin Grammys for “not valuing reggaeton.” “The Grammys don’t value us but they need us. This is my opinion and nothing against other genres because they deserve all the respect. But the trick is getting old. We give them ratings but they don’t give us respect. PS: I’m nominated so don’t come at me saying I’m hurt. Those who have power in the genre, none of them should go. I mean, all of us, because we are a movement,” wrote Balvin.
“Last year when you were nominated 13 times for the Grammys, you didn’t call for a boycott (…) You have to understand Jose, that it’s like a hot dog cart getting upset because it can’t win a Michelin star,” Residente responded in a video.
That same year, Balvin also faced other controversies, such as with the music video for ‘Perra’ featuring Tokischa, which received accusations of racism and misogyny.
To make matters worse, a year later, Residente attacked the Colombian again by dedicating his BZRP Music Session Vol. 49 to him, with a multitude of adjectives: “racist,” “fool,” or “bobolón,” among others, and accusing him of exploiting mental health for marketing purposes.
A few months ago, J Balvin clarified why he had never responded to Residente’s tiraera. “It’s not worth responding to that. I have to set an example. My values and ethics come before business. I’m not here to engage in circuses or things that aren’t my vibe. So thanks to those who were there and didn’t believe that false narrative, because it’s false, very false,” J Balvin said in a clip he shared on social media at the end of 2023.
In Rayo, it seemed like Balvin might answer to one of Residente’s latest beef songs, ‘Bajo y Batería,’ as there is a track on his album with the same name. The Puerto Rican’s song is a nearly 10-minute diss track aimed at the music industry, but Balvin’s song does not make any reference to the controversy. Instead, it seems to be named after the instruments used, though it cannot be ruled out that it might be a nod to his old enemy in the scene.
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