Music

Karol G, J Balvin, and Maluma Collab "+57" Violated Children’s Rights, Colombian Court Rules

The 2024 single "+57," which united some of the biggest artists out of Colombia, received major backlash over one of its lyrics.

Associated Press

A group of people in a recording studio, including J Balvin and Karol G, smiling and posing with musical equipment.
Bichota Records / Interscope

A high court in Colombia ruled a song featuring prominent artists like Karol G, J Balvin, Maluma, and Feid, violated the rights of children, the Associated Press reports.

According to a 14-page ruling reviewed by the AP, the court declared the lyrics of “+57” to have lyrics that “sexualized” minors. 

The court also declared the artists involved in the recording of the song, which also include DFZM, Ovy on the Drums, Ryan Castro, and Blessd, 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, per AP.

The 2024 single, which features an all-Colombian roster and is named after the country’s telephone country code, generated controversy over the lyric, “A hot mama since she was 14.”

Following the backlash, the lyric was changed to “18.”

Karol G issued a lengthy apology to her Instagram account, writing in Spanish, “In this case, unfortunately, context was taken out of the lyrics of a song I intended to celebrate unity between artists and make my people dance. None of the things said in the song have the direction that it’s been given, nor was it said from that perspective.”

“But I hear you, I’m making myself responsible and I realize I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I wholeheartedly apologize,” she added.

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