Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin has long prided himself on spreading the Latin poptimist gospel of the “Latino Gang,” a growing milieu of Latin American artists taking over pop charts around the globe.
But upon the September release of the controversial video for “Perra,” or “Female Dog” — Balvin’s joint single with Dominican rapper Tokischa — critics have asked who “the Latino Gang” is purported to represent. Critics have called out the artist’s video for its demeaning and hypersexualized depictions of Black women, commonly known as misogynoir.
Directed by Raymi Paulus, the visuals for “Perra”depict the white, Colombian rapper tugging at two Black women on leashes. Their faces, as well as other Black people in the video, were made up to look like ravenous dogs. Tokischa, a Black woman, poses on all fours inside a doghouse.
The video was quietly taken down from Balvin’s YouTube page on Sunday, for reasons yet to be confirmed by Balvin or Tokischa. The Times also contacted representatives for YouTube, who have yet to acknowledge the video’s takedown.
Paulus, who is also Tokischa’s manager, could not be reached for comment; his personal Instagram page, which once boasted more than 74,000 followers, has been deleted.
All that exists on YouTube, apart from a reaction video posted under the user name “Dominican Guy Reaccionan2,” is an audio clip.
In a joint statement issued last week, Colombian Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez and Presidential Counselor for Women’s Equality Gheidy Gallo Santos wrote that Balvin “uses images of women and people of African descent — a population group with special constitutional protection — to whom he presents with dog ears. In addition, while walking, the singer carries two Afro-descendant women tied with neck chains and crawling on the floor like animals or slaves.”
We know where Reggaeton comes from, and if you’re in this game you should know where you come from... Once you’re doing the right thing, we’ll find you,” said Balvin, who implied that he would take steps to be more mindful of race relations.
While the inclusion of voices like Tokischa’s may herald a more socially progressive reggaeton, the overall mission of Balvin’s multinational and multiracial “Latino Gang” will require much more fine-tuning.
Commentary: J Balvin and Tokischa's 'Perra' video removed from YouTube amid criticisms of misogynoir
But upon the September release of the controversial video for “Perra,” or “Female Dog” — Balvin’s joint single with Dominican rapper Tokischa — critics have asked who “the Latino Gang” is purported to represent. Critics have called out the artist’s video for its demeaning and hypersexualized depictions of Black women, commonly known as misogynoir.
Directed by Raymi Paulus, the visuals for “Perra”depict the white, Colombian rapper tugging at two Black women on leashes. Their faces, as well as other Black people in the video, were made up to look like ravenous dogs. Tokischa, a Black woman, poses on all fours inside a doghouse.
The video was quietly taken down from Balvin’s YouTube page on Sunday, for reasons yet to be confirmed by Balvin or Tokischa. The Times also contacted representatives for YouTube, who have yet to acknowledge the video’s takedown.
Paulus, who is also Tokischa’s manager, could not be reached for comment; his personal Instagram page, which once boasted more than 74,000 followers, has been deleted.
All that exists on YouTube, apart from a reaction video posted under the user name “Dominican Guy Reaccionan2,” is an audio clip.
In a joint statement issued last week, Colombian Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez and Presidential Counselor for Women’s Equality Gheidy Gallo Santos wrote that Balvin “uses images of women and people of African descent — a population group with special constitutional protection — to whom he presents with dog ears. In addition, while walking, the singer carries two Afro-descendant women tied with neck chains and crawling on the floor like animals or slaves.”
We know where Reggaeton comes from, and if you’re in this game you should know where you come from... Once you’re doing the right thing, we’ll find you,” said Balvin, who implied that he would take steps to be more mindful of race relations.
While the inclusion of voices like Tokischa’s may herald a more socially progressive reggaeton, the overall mission of Balvin’s multinational and multiracial “Latino Gang” will require much more fine-tuning.
Commentary: J Balvin and Tokischa's 'Perra' video removed from YouTube amid criticisms of misogynoir