The line between the Spanish-language music industry and Anglo pop continues to blur — and as proof, J Balvin and Nicky Jam dominated the stage over on The Tonight Show on Wednesday. Balvin kicked things off by performing “Mi Gente,” and then Nicky Jam joined him for their recent collab “X.” Because nothing is sacred in this world, Jimmy Fallon eventually hopped onstage to do the “X” dance with the two superstars.
The best friend reggaeton duo also played a version of Truth or Dare called Truth or Challenge backstage before their performance, in which they did things like make animal noises and admit the last time they farted in public.
Balvin had teased the appearance on Instagram last week, posting a show promo with a caption that read, “Más movimientos para la cultura urbana!!” He’d originally been scheduled to perform “Mi Gente” in November, but the performance got cancelled after Fallon’s mother passed away. The new date offered a chance for both a “Mi Gente” reprise, as well as an opportunity for Nicky Jam to get some visibility. The two of them also shared a bunch of behind-the-scenes photos preparing for the The Tonight Show — there’s bromance footage of them getting ready at a barber shop and hanging out backstage.
Following the “Despacito” wave, more Latino artists have become part of the late night circuit. Luis Fonsi was on Late Night with Conan O’Brien back in June of last year, and Balvin recently stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to perform “Familiar” with Liam Payne. Juanes also made a notable mark on The Late Show when he offered the program its first entirely Spanish- language performance. All of these milestones point to that fact that we’re living in a moment of renewed visibility for mainstream Latino pop, something Balvin has always signaled he believes by positioning his career as globally palatable.