BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s high court has delivered a verdict against the track “+57,” performed by prominent urban music artists J Balvin and Karol G, declaring it violates the rights of children due to the “sexualization” of minors in its lyrics.
The detailed 14-page ruling mandates that Karol G, J Balvin, and other contributing reggaeton artists abstain from releasing music that infringes upon the rights of minors. It emphasizes that portraying minors as objects of desire exposes them to risks detrimental to their development.
Upon its release in November, the song drew significant ire across Colombia, with child protection organizations swiftly calling for its removal from platforms. The song also garnered criticism from music reviewers, with Rolling Stone’s Spanish site labeling it a “disaster.”
Entitled after Colombia’s dial code, the song narrates the tale of a young girl who attends a party “despite having an owner.” It further describes the young woman, claiming she has been a “hot mama since she was 14,” who goes clubbing and participates in drinking shots.
Karol G, who goes by the birth name Carolina Giraldo, issued an apology via Instagram, asserting that the lyrics were “taken out of context” but also acknowledging that she had much to learn.
J Balvin, referred to as Jose Alvaro Osorio in the court documents, also released an apology in response to the controversies surrounding the song.
Following the escalating backlash, a revised version of “+57” was uploaded to YouTube, modifying the lyrics to depict a woman who has been a “hot mama since she was 18.”
The track was recorded in Medellin, Karol G’s birthplace, which is well-known as the nurturing ground for many acclaimed reggaeton artists. Although Medellin is celebrated as a prime tourist location in Colombia, it has faced ongoing challenges in safeguarding minors against sexual exploitation by predators seeking out young women.