Karol G says ‘+57’ lyrics perceived as sexualizing minors were ‘taken out of context’

As a lifelong cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the world of music and entertainment, I find myself both intrigued and disheartened by the recent controversy surrounding Karol G’s song “+57.

Karol G is addressing the controversy over her recent song, which has been criticized by both critics and activists for seemingly portraying minors in a sexually suggestive manner.

Last week, the Grammy-winning artist released her successful collaboration track titled “+57”, named after Colombia’s telephone code. This energetic dance number boasts contributions from artists hailing from Medellín, including popular reggaeton artists J Balvin and Maluma. Upon its release, it immediately topped Spotify charts in Colombia with a whopping 1,042,412 streams.

Yet, the song’s commercial achievement has been overshadowed by the uproar over its lyrics, with “a woman since 14” being one of the lines perceived as inappropriately sexualizing young girls.

On her Instagram story on Monday, Karol G expressed disagreement with that interpretation in a post (now expired) written in Spanish.

In their own artistic realm, we often encounter diverse viewpoints from both admirers and critics. Regrettably, in this instance, the meaning behind a song’s lyrics – intended to honor the bond between artists and uplift my community – was misconstrued.

In the song, the meanings of the lyrics don’t align with their intended directions, nor do they come from the perspective presented. Still, I listen, acknowledge my shortcomings, and recognize there’s much more to learn. It deeply impacts me, and from the depths of my being, I offer a sincere apology.

Additionally, Karol G emphasized her appreciation towards fans who not only understand her creative endeavors but also recognize the motives behind them and the charitable causes she holds dear. Specifically, her Con Cora Foundation focuses on empowering young women through education by providing scholarships to aid women pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) throughout Latin America.

She concluded her statement by saying she would always treasure “the beautiful energy” she felt working with her collaborators on “+57.”

Upon its debut, Martin Toro, a columnist for Rolling Stone En Español, listed “+57” among several songs, including those by Ryan Castro and Arcángel’s “Pueblo de Medallo”, as contributing to or reinforcing the notion that “women from Medellín are attractive”, which contributes to the belief among foreign men that Medellín is an appealing location for ‘sex tourism’.

Toro pointed out that it’s deeply concerning when during discussions about narcoculture and rape culture, songs continue to address the sexualization of minors. Given the escalating issue of underage prostitution and trafficking in Medellín over the past few years, this is particularly troubling.

In a video statement issued on Sunday, the Colombian Institute for Child and Adolescent Welfare, a government body dedicated to safeguarding children in challenging circumstances, shared similar worries as expressed by Toro.

Astrid Cáceres Cárdenas, the head of the agency, suggested that the lyrics “Turned off her phone so she wouldn’t get caught / Baby is bad, but she’s smart” from the song “+57” could be implying a connection to the issue of human trafficking in the country. In this context, young girls are allegedly being lured to parties where they may face sexual exploitation.

Cárdenas stated that he’s not making this statement out of conservatism, but because those who have experienced it firsthand – our girls – haven’t spoken up. He further explained that the agency is eager to educate reggaeton artists about how their songs may contribute to normalizing abuse against young women in Medellín.

Simultaneously, collaborators J Balvin and Feid stood up for Karol G during the controversy. On his Instagram story on Monday, Balvin posted, “This doesn’t diminish your greatness,” according to USA Today.

As of Tuesday, the song’s music video has almost 20 million views.

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2024-11-13 00:01