Desvelo translates to "sleeplessness" or "wakefulness." It's a more evocative word than simply saying "no dormir" (not sleeping), implying a state of being unable to sleep due to worry, excitement, or deep thought.
In the song, J Balvin sings, "Yo sé que soy la causa de su desvelo" (I know I am the cause of their sleeplessness). He uses this word to convey that his success and lifestyle are so impactful that they keep others awake at night, either out of envy or preoccupation with his actions. It adds a layer of intrigue and confidence to his lyrics.
“Veneno” is J Balvin’s swagger-packed anthem of unstoppable success and good vibes. The Colombian superstar paints a vivid picture of living large: cruising “in my machine, chilling,” diamonds that look like ice, models toasting with glasses held high, and a Ferrari that sails across oceans. While others waste energy “montando veneno” – spreading venom and negativity – Balvin flips the script and lights up the vibe instead. He keeps everything “todo positivo,” reminding listeners that when you focus on your own path, haters can’t dull your shine.
The song is a celebration of confidence, ambition, and perseverance. Balvin declares that he does what he wants while the critics only do what they can. References to champions like Michael Jordan and powerful figures like Rihanna reinforce the message: dream big, aim high, and stay international. “Veneno” invites you to dance, feel fearless, and let any negativity roll right off your shoulders – because in Balvin’s world, the only poison worth spreading is pure, electrifying energy.
J Balvin grew up in Medellín playing guitar in a teenage rock band with Nirvana and Metallica on repeat, and spent part of his teens in Oklahoma and New York picking up English. Born José Álvaro Osorio Balvín in 1985, he had been releasing music in Colombia for about a decade before anyone outside it paid attention.
"6 AM" with Farruko changed that in 2014, and "Ay Vamos" and "Ginza" followed: "Ginza" held number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart for 22 weeks, a record at the time. He kept singing in Spanish anyway, and "Mi Gente" reached number three on the Hot 100 once Beyoncé joined the remix, before "I Like It" with Cardi B and Bad Bunny went to number one in 2018. His albums run La Familia, Energía, Vibras, Colores (every track named after a color, and a Latin Grammy for best urban album), José and Rayo, plus Oasis, a joint record with Bad Bunny. In August 2019 he became the first Latino artist to headline Lollapalooza in Chicago.