J Balvin has shared an apology several days after removing the controversial video for his Tokischa collaboration "Perra." In the recorded statement on his Instagram stories, Balvin confirmed that he took the video down earlier this month and apologized to any — including his mother — who may have been hurt by the video's imagery.
In the video apology, Balvin said:
I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community. That's not who I am. I'm about tolerance, love and inclusivity. I also like to support new artists, in this case Tokischa, a woman who supports her people, her community and also empowers women. As a form of respect, I removed the video eight days ago. But because the criticism continued, I'm here making a statement. Mom, I'm sorry too. Life gets better each day. Thank you for listening to me.
The video, which featured Black women dressed as dogs and caught in cages, drew immediate ire for what many saw as racist, sexist imagery. Balvin's mother, Alba Mery Balvin, told a Colombian news station that she had spoken to her son about the song and video.
"When I found out [about 'Perra'], I called him … [and asked], 'Where is the Josésito that I know?'" The senior Balvin told Cosmovisión. "That song is not … I don't even know what to say. I did not see my José anywhere."
As reported by Billboard, the video also drew condemnation from Colombian Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez, who issued a statement on October 11 that called the video "sexist, racist, machista, and misogynistic."
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Tokischa also apologized for the video's imagery, saying, "I'm truly sorry that people felt offended."
The song, which appears on Balvin's most recent record JOSE, is still available to stream.
In the video apology, Balvin said:
I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community. That's not who I am. I'm about tolerance, love and inclusivity. I also like to support new artists, in this case Tokischa, a woman who supports her people, her community and also empowers women. As a form of respect, I removed the video eight days ago. But because the criticism continued, I'm here making a statement. Mom, I'm sorry too. Life gets better each day. Thank you for listening to me.
The video, which featured Black women dressed as dogs and caught in cages, drew immediate ire for what many saw as racist, sexist imagery. Balvin's mother, Alba Mery Balvin, told a Colombian news station that she had spoken to her son about the song and video.
"When I found out [about 'Perra'], I called him … [and asked], 'Where is the Josésito that I know?'" The senior Balvin told Cosmovisión. "That song is not … I don't even know what to say. I did not see my José anywhere."
As reported by Billboard, the video also drew condemnation from Colombian Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez, who issued a statement on October 11 that called the video "sexist, racist, machista, and misogynistic."
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Tokischa also apologized for the video's imagery, saying, "I'm truly sorry that people felt offended."
The song, which appears on Balvin's most recent record JOSE, is still available to stream.
