The air was thick on Wednesday (Oct. 16) with anticipation at Wynwood Marketplace as attendees of the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 gathered for what was billed as Next Gen Reggaetón: An Evening Curated by J Balvin. The event, sponsored by Cheetos and part of a series entitled the House of Huella, promised to spotlight rising stars in the reggaetón genre: Omar Courtz, Saiko, and Dei V.

Little did the crowd know, they were in for a massive surprise. The night kicked off with fiery sets from fresh talents Omar Courtz, followed by Saiko and then Dei V, each bringing their unique flavors and rhythms to the eager audience. Yet, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when J Balvin himself took the stage, unannounced, sending an electrifying charge through the crowd.

Dressed casually yet strikingly in a white T-shirt and light blue jeans, Balvin — with his hair in cornrows — looked every bit the reggaetón titan he is. He opened with “Mi Gente,” a global hit that normally never fails to pump up the volume. Despite a brief hiccup with the audio system at the very start, Balvin’s charisma and energy quickly overcame the technical glitch, and he had the crowd dancing with fervor.

His performance of “Doblexxo,” a hit from his latest album Rayo, originally featuring Feid, was particularly riveting. Balvin delivered the song with such passion and precision that it arguably surpassed the recorded version, resonating deeply with the audience and confirming its place as a new reggaetón classic.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Balvin also dipped into his reservoir of revered hits. Tracks such as “I Like It” and “Reggaetón” had attendees shouting lyrics in unison, while his rendition of “Tata” showcased the potent Latin drill style that has been captivating the urban music landscape. Furthermore, collaborations such as “Loco Contigo” and “Con Altura” reminded everyone of Balvin’s versatility and global appeal.

Later on, Saiko joined the Colombian artist to perform “Gaga,” Dei V on “La Noche” and last but not least, Omar Courtz jumped in to deliver heady verses with J Balvin on “En Alta,” all from his latest album.

The event underscored J Balvin’s role as a torchbearer for the genre. His ability to bridge the old with the new, all while promoting the next generation of artists, testified to his influence and dedication to the music that has shaped his career.

Earlier that day, Balvin participated in a Superstar Q&A during the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 panels.

Watch his opening set below:

Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.