J Álvarez

For other people with the same name, see Álvarez (surname).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Álvarez and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.
J Álvarez
J Álvarez in 2019
J Álvarez in 2019
Background information
Birth nameJavid David Álvarez Fernández
Born (1983-12-13) December 13, 1983 (age 41)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1997–present
Labels
Websitejalvarezmusic.com

Javid David Álvarez Fernández (born December 13, 1983), known professionally as J Álvarez, is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter.

He is best known for hit singles such as "La Pregunta", "Junto al Amanecer", "Sexo, Sudor y Calor" and "Regálame Una Noche".

Early life

Álvarez was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. His mother and father are both from the Dominican Republic. When Alvarez was 12 years old he sang in front of several of his classmates and teachers, his first-ever song "Lo Que Ella Trae" (What She Brings).[2]

As a child, he listened to many reggaeton and hip hop artists, and his music was inspired by Tego Calderon and Busta Rhymes.

In 2004, he was arrested for selling drugs in Puerto Rico. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but served only 43 months of it due to his good behavior. His reasoning for selling drugs was that he needed to provide for his family.[3][4]

He played basketball in his youth but decided to pursue a musical career instead.

Musical career

2009-2010: Career beginnings and early mixtapes

Via a connection through his cousin, Álvarez secured a meeting with DJ Nelson, and a working chemistry soon emerged between the two. He was then signed to Flow Music in 2009, and later that year, his debut mixtape El Dueño Del Sistema was released, which included collaborations with several high-profile artists such as De La Ghetto, Jowell & Randy, and Ñejo & Dalmata. He followed this release with a second mixtape, titled El Movimiento: The Mixtape, which was released on September 12, 2010.

2011-2015: Otro Nivel de Musica and De Camino Pa' La Cima

Otro Nivel De Musica, his debut studio album, was released on September 20, 2011, and featured the hit singles "La Pregunta" and "Junto Al Amanecer", which both charted on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and became the singer's first songs to chart. A special edition was later released on May 1, 2012, titled Otro Nivel De Musica Reloaded. This album was very well received among fans and was nominated for Best Urban Music Album at the 2012 Latin Grammy Awards.[5] In 2014, "La Pregunta" was nominated for Urban Song of the Year at the 26th Lo Nuestro Awards.

On February 18, 2014, he released his second studio album entitled De Camino Pa' La Cima, which would debut at #2 in its second week on Top Latin Albums, and reached the top spot on the Latin Rhythm Albums chart.[6] It features collaborations from Mackie, Zion, and Daddy Yankee. On January 27, 2015, J Álvarez released De Camino Pa' La Cima Reloaded, his fourth studio album, which features Cosculluela and Wisin. This album also reached the #1 spot on Top Latin Rhythm Albums and held that position for about a month.

2016-2020: Big Yauran albums, La Fama Que Camina, and El Jonson

In September 2016, he released his third studio album, Big Yauran, which reached the number 8 spot on Top Latin Rhythm Albums. In addition, one of the singles which appeared on the album, "Haters", charted on Hot Latin Songs.

In March 2018, he released his fourth album titled La Fama Que Camina, which includes popular charting singles such as "Esa Boquita", "De La Mia Personal", and "Rico Suave".

In November 2018, the Recording Industry Association of America certified that the single "De La Mia Personal" had reached platinum status.[7]

On April 24, 2019, Álvarez headlined the Billboard Sounds Showcase in Las Vegas.[8] On March 5, 2021, he collaborated on a single titled "Billete" with Marie Monti and Mariah Angeliq.[9]

2020-present: El Toque de Midas and Barrio Colombia

Discography

Main article: J Álvarez discography
  • Otro Nivel De Música (2011)
  • De Camino Pa' La Cima (2014)
  • Big Yauran (2016)
  • La Fama Que Camina (2018)
  • Big Yauran 2 (2020)
  • El Jonson (2020)
  • El Jonson (Side B) (2020)
  • El Toque de Midas (2022)
  • Barrio Colombia (2023)

References

  1. ^ "J Alvarez Premieres 'Esa Boquita' Music Video: Watch". Billboard.
  2. ^ "J Alvarez - Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Cepeda, María Camila Torres (2018-09-22). "J Álvarez dice que su paso por la cárcel lo hizo madurar". Lafm.com.co (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  4. ^ "J Alvarez habla de lo que aprendió en la cárcel y en qué ha cambiado". es-us.vida-estilo.yahoo.com (in Spanish). 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  5. ^ Dery, Yanik (2012-11-16). "Latin Grammys : Don Omar wins the Urban categories". Reggaetonline. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  6. ^ "J Álvarez 'On the Way to the Top' of Latin Albums Chart". billboard.com. 27 February 2014.
  7. ^ "J Álvarez recibe Disco de Oro por el tema "De La Mía Personal"". Reggaeton (in Spanish). November 28, 2018. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  8. ^ "J Alvarez". Billboard.
  9. ^ ""BILLETE" LA NUEVA COLABORACIÓN DE MARIE MONTI, J ÁLVAREZ Y MARIAH ANGELIQ". reddenoticias.online. Retrieved 2021-12-18.