It has become a trend that Spanish tracks do considerably well at a global level. Well, not just good, but, they turn out to be utter bangers. X by Nicky Jam and J Balvin is one of them. This Spanish number made rounds after its release back in 2018. It was quickly picked by the masses. You will find it as a perfect Spanish fusion of dancehall and reggae. What makes the song great is that it will keep you hooked. It is versatile enough to listen to any time and anywhere. You can dance to its beat, and you can even listen to it on a walk.
How to Download Nicky Jam x J Balvin – X (Equis)
To download the song, click on the Download button that is located below this review. If you want to listen to Nicky Jam some more, check out The Bote Remix. Famous songs by J Balvin, on the other hand, include Mi Gente, Say My Name, and No Es Justo. Last, but not least, you can listen to both artists in Mi Cama.
The Song Review
The song made its way to YT on March 2, 2018. It was a team effort in terms of writing. It was written by Giordano Ashruf, Juan Diego Medina, Jeon, and Afros Bros. The teamwork paid off, and the song became a commercial success. Now, it stands with over 2 billion views on YouTube.
Powerhouses Behind X: Nicky Jam & J Balvin
These two names echo utter talent and class. X is proof of that. Both of these maestros have music careers spanning over three decades.
Nicky Jam with his prophetic Latin voice has over 15 Billboard Latin Music Awards and 1 Latin Grammys Award. On other hand, J Balvin is over the top. He is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the most number of Latin Grammy nominations.
This guy got 13 nominations in just one year (2020), incredible, right! He also became the first-ever recipient of the Global Icon Award by Lo Nuestro Awards. J Balvin has become a God of Latin music. Moreover, he is a key catalyst in taking Latin music to the world.
With such powerful artists, X was destined to hit the right chords.
X – A Commercial Hit!
One of the biggest aspects of the song’s success was a live performance by Nicky Jam. It was not just any live performance. It was at the 2018 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony. It was a huge honor for the team and Nicky Jam. This performance was a prominent part of its howling success.
The song performed exceptionally on music charts. X landed the No. 1 spot in Bolivia, Italy, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Panama, Portugal, and Peru. Moreover, the song grabbed the No. 1 position on the US Hot Latin Songs, and US Latin Airplay. X was ranked at No. 2 in Columbia, Honduras, Chile, and Romania Airplay. The song stood at the 3rd spot in the Netherlands, Uruguay, Ecuador, Switzerland, Nicaragua, and Dominican Republic.
In short, we can say that it took the world by storm.
In terms of certifications, X stood out. First, the song was certified as Diamond two times from Mexico, and once from France. It received Gold certifications from Mexico (2 times), Denmark, Germany, and Belgium. Moreover, X was certified as Platinum a staggering 35 times from the RIAA, in the USA. In Canada, the song received three Platinum certifications.
It is now time to talk about the music video.
X – the Music Video
The music video is a vibrant extravaganza. It was shot in Miami and looks awesome. In the music video, you will see J Balvin and Nicky Jam dancing in a colorful room.
NPR referred to the video as, “a clean and vivid affair”.
The music video reminds us of Drake’s 2016 song, Hotline Bling’s music video.
The Music
The song is a Spanish Dancehall in its true spirit. You will also see subtle hints of Latin-pop, afro-beats, reggae with a synth trumpet hook.
