J Balvin has issued an apology after releasing a music video that Colombia’s vice president and chancellor called “sexist, racist, machista, and misogynistic,” Billboardreports.
The video for “Perra,” which Balvin ultimately removed shortly after its Sept. 10 YouTube release, featured Balvin appearing with two Black women on leashes, a shot of Black people that were made to look like dogs, and moments where collaborator Tokischa posed inside a doghouse.
“I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community,” Balvin said Sunday on his Instagram Stories. “That’s not who I am. I’m about tolerance, love and inclusivity. I also like to support new artists, in this case Tokischa, a woman who supports her people, her community and also empowers women.”
Balvin continued, sharing that he removed the video as “a form of respect” and that he felt the need to make a statement since fans were still concerned after the video was taken down from his official YouTube channel.
“Mom, I’m sorry too,” he said. “Life gets better each day. Thank you for listening to me.”
Tokisha spoke about the idea behind the video with Rolling Stone, adding that “if you, as a creative, have a song that’s talking about dogs, you’re going to create that world,” but apologized for how it had been interpreted.
The song itself, which was on Balvin’s latest studio album Jose, was also concerning to Colombia’s Vice PresidentMarta Lucía Ramírez, who issued a letter addressing it. The track currently still officially exists on YouTube only in audio form.
