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J Balvin talks 'Mixteip' album, fatherhood and taking it easy: 'Let life surprise me'
J Balvin talks 'Mixteip' album, fatherhood and taking it easy: 'Let life surprise me'

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • Entertainment
  • USA Today

J Balvin talks 'Mixteip' album, fatherhood and taking it easy: 'Let life surprise me'

J Balvin has earned his superstar stripes, and now it's time to vacilar (have fun). The multiplatinum, Grammy-nominated Colombian singer is remapping his musical boundaries on his latest release "Mixteip" (out now). The experimental, 10-track mixtape sees Balvin playfully expand his signature reggaeton sound with fusions of hip-hop, merengue, salsa and drill rap. "I feel confident that I gave my 1,000% on this project. The rest is out of my hands," Balvin tells USA TODAY. "We're taking it more easy now. Of course, you want the mixtape to be successful and the songs to become a smash, but … I'd rather let life surprise me with it." Coming off the release of 2024's "Rayo," an eclectic album that broke sonic boundaries for Balvin, the singer continues to be fueled by a sense of creative freedom. "You suffer less," he explains, because you're not battling "high expectations." "Maybe because I'm more mature now, that helps too," says Balvin, who turned 40 in May. "It makes me feel way more stable, not caring about things that I used to that hurt me a lot." Why J Balvin channeled reggaeton nostalgia on 'Zun Zun' Balvin may be reggaeton royalty now, but he knows he's part of a larger dynasty. The singer, who made his debut with 2013's "La Familia," has scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, won three Latin Grammys for best urban album and was previously dubbed "the undeniable leader of a second-generation reggaeton revolution" by Guinness World Records. On "Mixteip," Balvin pays homage to the genre's roots with sensual banger "Zun Zun." The track, a collaboration with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez, includes a shoutout to iconic production duo Luny Tunes, while its music video features a racy dance party that evokes the feel-good hedonism of classic reggaeton. "If it wasn't for the 2000s or the late '90s, we wouldn't be (where we are)," Balvin says. "It just takes me to the old times when I dreamed to be an artist, so we wanted to take that sound back." Belinda interview: Princess of Latin pop feels 'powerful' on comeback album 'Indómita' J Balvin gushes about fatherhood, 'amazing' girlfriend Valentina Ferrer When Balvin isn't cranking out the hits, he's a doting papi. The "Mi Gente" singer became a father in 2021 when he and longtime girlfriend Valentina Ferrer welcomed son Rio. "No matter what, my son has a beautiful and amazing mother who is raising him (in) the best way possible," Balvin says. While fatherhood hasn't softened Balvin's artistic edge, the singer reflects that family life has reshaped his experience of making music. "My son makes my life better, happier. And when you feel that you're stable with your emotions, you have that health to go into the studio." And while Rio shares his father's love of singing, Balvin says his parental focus is providing the 4-year-old with a grounded upbringing. "I would never pressure my son to be a part of this industry. I think there's better ways to be happier," Balvin says. But "whatever he wants to do, we're going to support him 1,000%" J Balvin collaborates with childhood idol Gilberto Santa Rosa on 'Mixteip' Balvin can cross off one more item on his musical bucket list. The reggaetonero nabbed a collaboration with Puerto Rican singer and salsa icon Gilberto Santa Rosa for the "Mixteip" track "Misterio," a bold mash-up that seamlessly weaves the singers' tropical and Latin urban styles. Balvin said Santa Rosa, who made history as the first tropical salsa singer to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall, was a childhood influence, adding that Santa Rosa's live album "blew my mind." "It's one of my happiest moments in the last few years," says Balvin of the organic collaboration. "We were just doing music, and we were like, 'This song would be perfect for Gilberto.'" The two are slated to take the stage together July 24 for a performance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." 'I still have many things left to do': Rock icon Fito Páez isn't looking at legacy yet How J Balvin is using 'the power of music' to uplift the Latino community Balvin will always rep his Latino Gang, an affectionate shout-out to the Hispanic community that has become a lyrical call to arms. The singer, who hails from Medellín, Colombia, had his Latin heritage on full display during his July 13 performance at the FIFA Club World Cup when his ensemble of backup dancers sported brightly colored tops that mirrored the design of the Colombian flag. "It was beautiful that he we had the opportunity and (were able) to embrace and show the Latino culture and Colombia to the whole world," Balvin says. Although Balvin isn't an activist, the singer recognizes the power of his unapologetic cultural pride, especially amid a contentious political climate for the U.S. Latino community following the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. "I don't like politics. I never talk about it; it's just not my thing," Balvin says. "My passion is about human rights and using my platform – the power of music – to speak out about it. … Supporting our brothers and just creating the awareness that they're not alone."

WWE star Drew McIntyre trolls SummerSlam foes with viral Coldplay meme
WWE star Drew McIntyre trolls SummerSlam foes with viral Coldplay meme

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

WWE star Drew McIntyre trolls SummerSlam foes with viral Coldplay meme

The post WWE star Drew McIntyre trolls SummerSlam foes with viral Coldplay meme appeared first on ClutchPoints. The hottest pop culture story has been the affair scandal at Coldplay's recent concert, and WWE star Drew McIntyre capitalized on this with a meme for his SummerSlam foes, Jelly Roll and Randy Orton. He took to social media to share a picture of Orton and Jelly Roll photoshopped into Coldplay's fancam. Orton is holding the country music singer from behind just as Andy Byron was holding Krisin Cabot. Needless to say, the post went viral. McIntyre's post has accumulated nearly five million views since it was posted on X, formerly Twitter. This caused Orton to respond with his own version of the meme. He and Jelly Roll are singing the Cardigans' 'Lovefool' in his version of the meme. Their lips move with the words. Coldplay caught an affair red-handed During Coldplay's July 16, 2025, concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Chris Martin and the band accidentally exposed a cheating couple. Astronomer CEO Byron was shown on the jumbotron while embracing his Chief People Officer, Cabot. When they were shown, Byron quickly ducked out of view. 'Either they're having an affair or they're very shy,' Martin quipped as the moment unfolded. It turns out that Byron is married to someone else. So, they were caught cheating in front of thousands of those in attendance at Coldplay's concert. Plus, the moment went viral online, with a bevy of memes spawning from it. WWE star Drew McIntyre's SummerSlam match It is nice to see the Superstars having fun before their showdown. Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul will face Randy Orton and Jelly Roll in a tag team match at the 2025 SummerSlam PLE. McIntyre is one of WWE's top heels, and he is joining forces with Paul, another top bad guy. They are facing Orton, who is one of the company's most popular babyface stars. Together, the trio will have to carry Jelly Roll in his in-ring debut. The Grammy-nominated singer has been training to make his wrestling debut. He will be getting in the ring with three legends of the business. Previously, Jelly Roll made an appearance during an episode of Monday Night RAW. He also performed at the 2024 SummerSlam event. He would deliver a chokeslam to Austin Theory during a segment later in the night. Related: UFC legend reveals Brock Lesnar's 'banned' WWE status Related: WWE star Roman Reigns shuts down 6th kid rumors during hiatus Solve the daily Crossword

Asia's First Fully On-Chain Ticketed Music Festival Arrives as RaveDAO and PLVR Power Fabrik Asia's "Somewhere Out There"
Asia's First Fully On-Chain Ticketed Music Festival Arrives as RaveDAO and PLVR Power Fabrik Asia's "Somewhere Out There"

International Business Times

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • International Business Times

Asia's First Fully On-Chain Ticketed Music Festival Arrives as RaveDAO and PLVR Power Fabrik Asia's "Somewhere Out There"

Grammy-nominated musician Bonobo headlines Singapore's "Somewhere Out There" music festival, where every ticket is a 100% authentic, tradable digital collectible. Powered by RaveDAO and PLVR, the festival fuses international music, immersive art, and Web3 innovation at Fort Canning Park on August 16. A new chapter in live entertainment launches in Singapore this summer as Somewhere Out There (SOT) becomes the first music festival in Asia to offer fully on-chain, 100% authentic digital tickets. This milestone comes to life through a partnership between RaveDAO, a Web3-native global community dedicated to music, art, and social impact; PLVR, the next-generation ticketing platform that empowers organizers, artists, and fans with full data transparency and control; and Fabrik Asia, a multi-award-winning experiential events agency. Headlining the SOT main stage is Grammy-nominated artist Bonobo, performing in Singapore for the first time since 2018. Alongside Bonobo, the festival features a vibrant mix of global and local talent. The Evermore Main Stage promises a world-class audio-visual experience. The Roots Stage showcases the finest of Singapore's collectives, including Last Saturdays, Ice Cream Sundays, Groovetop, Blackout, and Soul Collective, offering audiences a deep dive into the city's creative energy. Festival-goers can also take a break at the Canopy Stage, a dedicated space for art, wellness, and creative exploration co-curated with Wild Pearl. Interactive art installations around the "Evermore Tree" will showcase works by visual artists, including Erikartoon, Tasha & Alysha, glitter artist Polina Korobova, and fashion designer Putri Adif. A carefully curated food village will feature Singapore's creative culinary scene, adding flavor to the festival's multi-sensory experience A New Standard for Festival Tickets in Asia Every SOT ticket is created on-chain with PLVR's platform. Each ticket is securely authenticated and can be kept as a unique memento of the live experience. While fans can save or collect their tickets as proof of participation, the on-chain format also opens doors to potential future perks, rewards, or exclusive access as the ecosystem evolves. By making ticketing more transparent and secure, PLVR helps organizers and artists better understand their audiences while ensuring every fan enjoys a seamless, trustworthy way to be part of the celebration. Connecting Communities, Inspiring Change At Somewhere Out There, RaveDAO will work alongside regional collectives to help shape a locally rooted, immersive festival experience for Singapore. The SOT collaboration aligns with RaveDAO's vision to build a "local chapter" model, a global initiative connecting music lovers of all backgrounds on the same dancefloor, wherever they are, united by the belief that good vibes can drive positive change. This vision is already taking shape, fueled by RaveDAO's recent global milestones, including a sold-out 3,000-pax night at Tomorrowland's Terra Solis desert resort in Dubai during Token2049. That anniversary celebration spotlighted an all-female techno roster, with DJ Nifra later calling it "nothing but good vibes, great energy, and insane stage design." With each event, the movement grows stronger, building bridges between cultures and proving that the dancefloor can be a force for unity and positive impact. "Somewhere Out There is the perfect launchpad for our Singapore chapter," said Ron Yung, Operation Lead of RaveDAO. "Our role is to amplify the region's own collectives, linking their creativity with our global community so anyone, from any background, can share the same dancefloor and energy." This momentum builds toward RaveDAO's headline event, ENL1GHT, on October 3 at Pasir Panjang Power Station during Token2049 and Formula 1 Singapore. ENL1GHT invites thousands into an iconic space that once powered the city. The venue's walls hold the story of Singapore's rise from darkness to brilliance. Built from necessity and scarred by history, every circuit and echo is a reminder that when people come together, something bigger happens. Seamless Entry Powered by PLVR & Fabrik All tickets for SOT are available exclusively through PLVR. With early-bird allocations already sold out, General Admission tickets are now available at SGD 128 and are selling fast. Each ticket includes a complimentary Heineken Silver. "By teaming up with the award-winning experiential event agency at Fabrik, we're rolling out features that let them, and every future PLVR partner, stay laser-focused on creating one-of-a-kind experiences, while our platform quietly handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Under their guidance, we're developing solutions that set a new standard for seamless, data-rich event operations," said Marco Zhu, Growth Lead at PLVR. "We're incredibly excited to be the first to introduce PLVR as our exclusive ticketing partners for Somewhere Out There. As a first-of-its-kind use of PLVR in Singapore, this marks a bold step forward in how we connect with our audiences. Blending culture and technology in a way that's uniquely Fabrik." — Bernhard Schwarz & Syahirah Din Kriukow, Co-Founder, Fabrik Asia Looking Ahead: RaveDAO Singapore: ENL1GHT powered by DCS and its next-gen DeCard Following Somewhere Out There, RaveDAO will bring its next flagship experience to Singapore with ENL1GHT, presented in partnership with title sponsor Decard by DCS, at Pasir Panjang Power Station on October 3. Timed with the excitement of F1 and Token2049, ENL1GHT expects to gather 3,500+ music lovers for a night featuring a top 10 global headliner, special international guests, unexpected collaborations, and immersive light artistry in one of the city's most storied venues. DeCard users enjoy exclusive early ticket access to RaveDAO, up to 50% off early bird tickets, fast-lane entry, and more. More than a festival, ENL1GHT continues RaveDAO's "Rave for Light" initiative, channeling event proceeds toward global causes centered on well-being, healing, and human potential. In Nepal, RaveDAO has partnered with Dr. Sanduk Ruit and the Tilganga Eye Centre to help fund over 400 life-changing cataract surgeries for remote communities. In Seattle, RaveDAO's support for Nalanda West brings mindfulness training and Buddhist teachings to over 150 people each year, helping cultivate mental clarity and emotional resilience. By aligning entertainment with impact, RaveDAO ensures every ticket sold fuels not just a night of music but a ripple of global healing. This is nightlife with roots, grounded in something deeper than the drop. Fans can join the waitlist for ENL1GHT via (opening July 23).

Taylor Swift joins BFF Selena Gomez in her pre-birthday celebration, see photos
Taylor Swift joins BFF Selena Gomez in her pre-birthday celebration, see photos

Economic Times

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Economic Times

Taylor Swift joins BFF Selena Gomez in her pre-birthday celebration, see photos

Singer Selena Gomez celebrated her pre-birthday bash with family and friends in Los Angeles. The singer will turn 33 on July 22, 2025. Her fiancé, Benny Blanco, and longtime friend Taylor Swift attended the party. Selena shared photos on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the love and support she received. She also mentioned seeking Taylor Swift's music advice. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift's friendship Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Selena Gomez on getting music advice from Taylor Swift Singer and actress Selena celebrated her 33rd birthday early with family and friends. She will turn 33 on July 22, 2025. Among those who attended the pre-birthday celebration , which, according to Billboard, took place in Los Angeles, were her fiancé, Benny Blanco, and longtime friend Taylor Swift . In a post on Instagram on July 20, 2025 (Sunday), Gomez reflected on her upcoming birthday. "This past year has truly been the most beautiful year of my life, and I owe so much of that to all of you," she a carousel post shared by the "Call Me When You Break Up" singer, she shared several photos from what appears to be a pre-birthday bash. The singer wore a sparkling jumpsuit and a jacket with feathers. She posed for pictures with some close friends, including her fiancé, Benny Blanco, and longtime friend friendship and the bond shared by two celebrity singers dates back to their teen pop stardom days in the late aughts; they were seen playfully hamming it up for the camera as they posed against a balloon-filled backdrop."Thank you for your unwavering love and kindness," Gomez further wrote. "Whether you cheered me on from the sidelines, shared in my highs and lows, or simply offered a listening ear, you have made this year unforgettable. I am extremely humbled and insanely appreciative of all your love," the 'Come & Get It' singer Gomez shared the glimpses from her pre-birthday celebration, some of Gomez's other celebrity friends reacted to the post with their birthday wishes in the comments section. "The most love to the brightest soul ❤️," Lily Collins wrote, while fellow Disney Channel alum Sofia Carson gushed: "We love you 🤍"During a March 2025 interview with iHeartRadio after the release of her album "I Said I Love You First," a joint album with Blanco, the Grammy-nominated songstress revealed she constantly seeks Swift's feedback on her music."You know, with Taylor, I value her support and her opinion so much, because she's super honest," said Gomez, adding that the pop superstar will tell her which songs are "OK" and which are "knockouts.""I have always played her off any of my albums—the top two; I like to see what she thinks," she playing Swift's 2019 hit "Lose You to Love Me," she added, "She and her amazing mom started crying, and then I started crying, and it's very sweet."

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