Colombian court rules Karol G and J Balvin song violated rights of children
A high court in Colombia has ruled that the reggaeton song '+57' by urban music stars J Balvin and Karol G violated the rights of children because its lyrics 'sexualized' minors.
In a 14-page ruling, the court ordered Karol G, J Balvin and several other reggaeton singers – including Feid, DFZM and Maluma - who helped to record the song last year to refrain from publishing music that violates the rights of children and teenagers.
'Sexualizing minors reduces them to becoming objects of desire, and exposes them to risks that can affect their development,' the court said.
The song generated controversy in Colombia when it was released in November, with organizations that defend the rights of children quickly calling for its removal.
'+57' is named after Colombia's telephone country code and talks about a young woman who goes partying "despite having an owner.'
The woman, 'who has been a hot mama since she was 14' ("Mamacita desde los fourteen") enters a disco and begins to do shots. The song also refers to weed 'starting to work', passing 'the drinks mouth to mouth' and 'no room for your butt in the car.'
Karol G, whose real name is Carolina Giraldo, apologized for the song on her Instagram account last year, saying that the lyrics had been 'taken out of context' but also adding that she realized she had 'a lot to learn.'
'As artists, we are exposed to public opinion, and to the individual interpretations of people who like us and people who differ with what we do,' read her apology. 'I feel a lot of frustration for the misinformation that has been given, about the false posts that I have supposedly made and deleted from twitter, an account that I have not used for more than six months. In this case, unfortunately, the lyrics of a song, with which I sought to celebrate the union between artists and put to shine my people … were taken out of context."
She added: 'None of the things said in the song have the direction they have been given, nor was it said from that perspective but I listen, I take responsibility and I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.'
Following the backlash and pressure from the Columbian Congree and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), the lyric was changed to: "Mamacita desde los eighteen".
The song was recorded in Karol G's hometown of Medellin, Colombia's main tourist destination and a city that has become famous for nurturing several famous reggaeton singers.
However, Medellin has also struggled to protect minors from sexual predators, who visit the city in search of young women.
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