J Balvin Receives Backlash Online After Winning Afro-Latino Artist of the Year

J. Balvin is currently under fire after he accepted the award for Afro-Latino Artist of the Year at African Entertainment Awards USA. The Colombian Artist spoke out via Instagram to clarify that while he does not fit the description, he will however still accept the award. “I am not Afro Latino,” he wrote on his Story. “But thank you for giving me a place in the contribution of the afrobeat music and movement,” he wrote in Spanish.

In just minutes, the Medellín native received backlash for being both nominated and winning an award despite not being Afro-Latino.” The other nominees included: Japanese, Dubosky, Italian Somal, David L, Nacho, Sami Boy, Bad Bunny, The Ganez, and Iza.

The African Entertainment Awards USA was also held accountable by users online after they argued that J. Balvin should have never been listed in that category. They quickly responded to defend their decision.

“The Best Latin Artist category is for any artist based in Latin America that is contributing to the African culture especially the Afro-beats sound globally. It is not based on race but more importantly based on pushing the African culture forward on the world stage.”