Photo Credit: Karol G by Junta de Andalucia / CC by 2.0
A high court in Colombia rules that Karol G and J Balvin’s track “+57” violated the rights of children due to lyrics that ‘sexualized’ minors.
A Colombian high court has ordered Karol G, J Balvin, and several other reggaeton artists who helped record the song last year, including Feid, DFZM, and Maluma, to refrain from publishing music that violates the rights of minors.
The 14-page ruling determined that the song did, in fact, violate the rights of children and teens. The song generated controversy upon its release in November, with organizations that defend the rights of children quickly calling it out.
“Sexualizing minors reduces them to becoming objects of desire, and exposes them to risks that can affect their development,” wrote the court.
The song, called “+57,” is named for Colombia’s telephone country code and talks about a young woman who goes partying “despite having an owner.” The woman, “a hot mama since she was 14,” goes to a club and does shots. Lyrics refer to weed “starting to work,” passing “drinks mouth to mouth,” and “no room for your butt in the car.”
Karol G apologized for the controversy on Instagram last year, saying the lyrics had been “taken out of context,” but adding that she understands she still has “a lot to learn.”
“None of the things said in the song have the direction they have been given, nor was it said from that perspective. But I listen, I take responsibility, and I realize that I still have a lot to learn,” said Karol G. “I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”
Between the initial backlash and pressure from Colombia’s Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), the song’s lyric was changed to reference the age of 18, rather than 14.
Notably, the song was recorded in Karol G’s hometown of Medellin, Colombia’s hottest tourist destination, and a city known for several major reggaeton singers. But the city has struggled in its fight to protect minors; sexual predators are known to visit the city seeking young women.
