Karol G, J Balvin, More Violated Rights of Minors on ‘+57,’ Court Says

Colombia’s high court rebuked Karol G, J Balvin, Feid, and others involved in the controversial song “+57,” ruling that it violated the rights of children because the lyrics “sexualized” minors.

Released last November, “+57” featured a plethora of major Colombian artists including Karol G, J Balvin, Maluma, Feid, Ovy on the Drums, Ryan Castro, and Blessd. But the track — which takes its name from Colombia’s calling code — quickly garnered fierce criticism for a lyric Maluma and Feid repeat in the first verse, which translates to: “A hottie since she was 14/When she walks into the club, you can feel her energy.” 

Children’s rights organizations decried the song, and several citizens filed a “tutela” action over the lyrics on behalf of minors. (In Colombia, these aren’t so much lawsuits, but legal avenues for individuals to affirm their rights and secure protections from the courts). The new ruling from Colombia’s Council of State agreed that the song crossed a line, with the judges saying, “Sexualizing minors reduces them to becoming objects of desire, and exposes them to risks that can affect their development.”

The ruling continued, “This type of conduct contravenes the principle of the best interests of the child, which requires that all decisions and actions that concern them be adopted with consideration for their well-being and comprehensive protection.”

The Council of State did not, however, take any serious punitive measures against the artists involved in “+57.” Rather, they were ordered to refrain from “disseminating or publishing compositions that violate the fundamental rights of children and adolescents” (according to a statement from the court translated from Spanish). 

Reps for several artists involved in the song — including Karol G, Maluma, Feid, and J Balvin — did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s requests for comment. Nor did a rep for Keityn, the hitmaker who helped co-write the song. 

Following the uproar over the original version of the song, the controversial line on “+57” was altered to “a hottie since she was 18.” Karol G also issued an apology, saying, “Unfortunately, the lyrics were taken out of context from a song meant to celebrate the union among artists and to make my people dance. None of the things said in the song are written in the way people have claimed, nor were sung with that perspective, but I hear you, and I take responsibility and I realize that I have so much to learn. I feel very affected and I’m sorry from the heart.”