J Balvin reveals who still leaves him speechless — even when they “talk”

J Balvin opens up about admiration, humility and the one global icon who still leaves him speechless, even after sharing conversations.

J Balvin is one of the most influential names in global urban music, but that hasn’t taken away something he considers essential: the ability to admire. In a get ready with me video filmed with Rolling Stone ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards, the artist spoke candidly about the respect he continues to feel for other musicians — and about the one person who still manages to make him nervous.

“At the beginning, of course I was impressed. But even today it still happens to me with artists I love and admire, even when they’re my friends,” he explained. And then he put a name to that feeling: Jay-Z. “When I see him, even though we talk — not very often, but we do talk — I’m still in awe. It’s like thinking, ‘that’s my guy,’” he admitted, laughing.

For Balvin, that sense of admiration isn’t a weakness, but a way of staying connected to music. “It’s good to never lose that respect for other artists, no matter the genre,” he added, making it clear that success shouldn’t erase humility.

During the conversation, the Colombian artist recalled a phrase Jay-Z once said to him that continues to shape his philosophy: “You have to keep showing up.” An idea Balvin has turned into a mantra. “That’s what I do to represent our culture. He’s not just an artist, he’s a movement,” he said.

This isn’t the first time Balvin has publicly expressed his admiration for the rapper and businessman. Back in 2022, he described him as an absolute reference — not only musically, but also in terms of business and culture. “He’s the most powerful artist who has touched different sides of the industry and culture. I want to do that for Latinos and immigrants,” he said at the time.

On the red carpet at the 2026 Grammys, where he was nominated for Best Urban Music Album for Mixteip, Balvin told People that the current moment for Latin music can be summed up in one clear sentence: “Before, they listened to us. Now, they see us.” And among names like Karol G, Bad Bunny and Feid, he made it clear that respect — like admiration — is also part of the journey.