Last Friday, C. Tangana ignited a social media storm by publicly criticizing J Balvin following the Colombian artist's heartfelt tribute to Mexican producer and creative director Óscar Botello, known as Milkman, during his concerts at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.
The controversy began when Balvin, on stage, sought to honor Milkman, who passed away on February 12 of this year. He described him as "a brother" and "my right-hand man since we started with Energía, with Vibras, with Colores."
"Unfortunately, you're no longer with us. I couldn't say goodbye to you, but here I am in your beloved homeland, brother. In Mexico, sending all the love, all the strength to your family, to your parents, to your siblings, and to everyone who loves and respects you," expressed the Colombian artist in front of thousands of fans.
The emotional moment was captured on video and quickly went viral. It was then that 'El Madrileño' couldn't hold back his criticism.
"If we talk about how you treated him while he was alive, the circus falls apart, clown. You should be ashamed," C. Tangana wrote on social media, directly questioning the authenticity of Balvin's gesture.
With those words, the Madrid-based artist suggested that the real treatment Balvin gave Milkman during his lifetime did not match the affectionate image he projected after his passing.
Milkman played a pivotal role in shaping J Balvin's aesthetic, working as the creative director on the album Energía (2016), regarded as a turning point in the aesthetics of Latin pop and reggaeton, as well as on subsequent projects like Vibras and Colores.
His death, following an emergency hospitalization and two surgeries, prompted numerous expressions of love within the industry. Before his passing, singer Belinda had publicly requested financial aid and blood donations for his treatment.
This episode is not the first controversy involving J Balvin in the urban genre. In September 2021, the Colombian called for a boycott of the Latin Grammy Awards, arguing that urban music was undervalued by the Academy, sparking reactions from artists like Yotuel Romero, who responded that "the urban movement didn't start with you."
Months later, in March 2022, Residente released a diss track directly targeting Balvin in "BZRP Music Sessions #49," one of the most talked-about moments in the genre. Earlier this year, reports suggested a possible reconciliation between the two artists.
C. Tangana, whose real name is Antón Álvarez, was also a central figure in that debate: his album El Madrileño received five nominations and won three awards at the 2021 Latin Grammy Awards, cementing his status as one of the most influential voices in the genre in Spain.
As the controversy erupted, social media users were divided: some praised Tangana's courage for pointing out what they saw as public hypocrisy, while Balvin's supporters defended the sincerity of the tribute and questioned the Spanish artist's intentions.
For now, J Balvin has not publicly responded to the criticism, although within the urban music scene, it is anticipated that he might address it in the coming days, given the scale the controversy has reached.
Exploring the Controversy Between C. Tangana and J Balvin
Who was Milkman in the music industry?
Milkman, whose real name was Óscar Botello, was a Mexican producer and creative director pivotal in shaping J Balvin's artistic vision, particularly known for his contributions to the albums Energía, Vibras, and Colores.
What sparked the recent controversy between C. Tangana and J Balvin?
The controversy erupted after C. Tangana criticized J Balvin's public tribute to Milkman, accusing the Colombian artist of hypocrisy in how he treated Milkman during his lifetime versus his posthumous tribute.
Has J Balvin responded to the criticism from C. Tangana?
As of now, J Balvin has not issued a public response to C. Tangana's remarks, though it is speculated that he might do so soon due to the controversy's magnitude.