Music
Neither Karol G nor Maluma: this is the Colombian artist dominating Spotify
Colombian reggaeton continues to make waves globally, but the most-streamed artist from the country might not be who you’d expect.
Karol G has been a trailblazer for Colombian music in recent years. The Medellín-born star recently won a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album with Mañana Será Bonito – Bichota Season, an accolade that capped off a successful tour across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
Meanwhile, Maluma—a fellow Colombian celebrated for his chart-topping hits and global fame—remains one of the highest-paid artists in Colombia. Yet neither Karol G nor Maluma holds the title of the most-streamed Colombian artist on Spotify.
Who is the most listened to Colombian on Spotify?
It’s not Shakira nor Juanes either, two of the other most well-recognized artists right now in the world hailing from Colombia.
The actual honor belongs to José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, better known as J Balvin, who currently boasts 58.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
J Balvin’s global impact
At 39 years old, J Balvin has built a music empire that extends beyond Spotify. With multiple YouTube videos surpassing a billion views and a steady stream of hits like his latest single Sornero, Balvin has become a cornerstone of Colombian reggaeton’s global dominance.
Among his most listened to songs on the platform are:
- La Canción (ft. Bad Bunny): over 1.8 billion streams
- I Like It (ft. Cardi B & Bad Bunny): over 1.6 billion streams
- Mi Gente (ft. Willy William): over 1.5 billion streams
- No Me Conoce (ft. Jhayco): over 1.4 billion streams
J Balvin’s influence extends to the broader Colombian urban music scene, where his streaming numbers dwarf those of his contemporaries.
- J Balvin: Over 26 billion streams
- Karol G: Over 17 billion streams
- Maluma: Nearly 13 billion streams
- Feid: 11 billion streams
- Sebastián Yatra: 9 billion streams
The article above was written by Paula Fresneda., translated with the assistance of AI and edited by David Nelson.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.