After a series of joint appearances, red carpets and an increasingly obvious creative connection, J Balvin and Ryan Castro present the joint single "TONTO", a collaboration that goes beyond the classic featuring and opens a new chapter of their artistic story. The song is joined by globally recognized producer DJ Snake, whose production signature subtly but powerfully shapes the sound of the single.
"TONTO" fuses J Balvin's signature melody with Ryan Castro's energetic, streetwise tone. Their chemistry feels natural, each stanza building on the next organically, while lightly distorted synth layers and precisely constructed production expand the sound without disrupting its pulsating core.
The video for the single is signed by UN JACKALOPE (director) and BROKEN MINDS (production), and the video brings a stylized gangster fantasy with a cinematic hint. Opening with a frame with the message "Érase una vez en paz" (Once upon a time in peace), the video introduces the viewer to an intimate family moment that grows into an aesthetically rounded story set on the streets of New York. Inspired by the noir aesthetic of the 1930s, the video combines elegance, choreography and subtle theatricality. In the visual references, echoes of cult film titles such as "Pulp Fiction" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" can be recognized, as well as the aesthetic layers characteristic of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". A special moment is also brought by a discreet dedication to Michael Jackson through the interpretation of his iconic 45-degree tilt from the video for "Smooth Criminal".
"TONTO" was premiered by J Balvin and Ryan Castro at this year's Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, where the performance immediately caught the attention of the audience and media and stood out as one of the most memorable moments of the night.
Ahead of a spring stadium tour in Mexico, J Balvin further confirms his status as one of today's most influential global artists with this release, while Ryan Castro continues to solidify his position among the most relevant names of the new generation of the Latin urban scene. With a thoughtful production, a strong visual aesthetic and a clear authorial vision, "TONTO" is more than a single - it's an introduction to a larger story, the continuation of which is eagerly awaited.
