As their collaborative album OMERTÁ continues to generate conversation across the Latin music world, J Balvin and Ryan Castro are giving fans an even deeper look into their friendship, personal journeys, and creative process in Instagram’s latest Close Friends Only episode.
The two Colombian superstars sit down for a candid conversation that moves beyond music, touching on family, social media, Colombian culture, the FIFA World Cup, artistic inspiration, and the bond they’ve built throughout their careers.
Rather than a traditional interview, the episode feels like two longtime friends reflecting on the experiences that shaped them while celebrating one of Latin music’s biggest collaborative projects of the year.
J Balvin Reveals The Weeknd Sent Him His First Celebrity DM
One of the interview’s most memorable moments comes when J Balvin recalls the first celebrity direct message that truly caught him by surprise.
According to Balvin, the first famous artist to reach out to him on Instagram was none other than The Weeknd, a moment he says left a lasting impression as his career continued to grow.
Ryan Castro jokingly responds that his first celebrity DM came from J Balvin himself, highlighting just how far both artists have come since those early days.
The conversation also turns toward how Instagram has evolved into an important tool for connecting with fans, promoting music, and building community beyond simply sharing photos and videos.
Family Remains at the Center of Ryan Castro’s Success
Beyond the music, one of the interview’s strongest moments focuses on family.
Ryan Castro shares that he hopes to build a large family of his own one day, joking that he’d love enough kids to form “a little soccer team.”
The Medellín-born artist reflects on growing up between Colombia and Curaçao and credits his upbringing for instilling the work ethic and determination that continue to drive his career today.
“The blessing of growing up in a Latino family,” Castro explains, “is that we’re taught to work hard, keep pushing forward, and never give up.”
That mindset, he says, continues to influence every decision he makes professionally.
Colombian Pride Takes Center Stage
As expected, soccer becomes another major topic throughout the episode.
Ryan Castro compares the excitement of representing Colombia on the world’s biggest stage to the feeling musicians experience performing at iconic festivals and stadiums around the globe.
Having recently participated in FIFA World Cup celebrations, Castro explains that watching Colombia compete creates a sense of national pride unlike anything else.
He also praises Colombia’s current generation of football stars while naming James Rodríguez among the country’s greatest players.
For both artists, music and soccer continue to represent two of Colombia’s most powerful cultural exports.
From Nirvana to Reggaeton
Fans may be surprised to learn that J Balvin’s earliest musical inspiration wasn’t reggaeton at all.
Before becoming one of Latin music’s biggest global ambassadors, Balvin says he was deeply inspired by rock music and dreamed of performing Nirvana songs.
That early appreciation for alternative music eventually helped shape the creative mindset that has allowed him to continuously reinvent himself throughout his career.
Building OMERTÁ Through Friendship
Throughout the interview, one message remains consistent: OMERTÁ wasn’t created simply to release another album.
Instead, both artists describe the project as the result of genuine friendship, trust, and countless hours spent writing, traveling, and creating together.
Rather than chasing trends, J Balvin and Ryan Castro say they focused on building an album that reflects who they are as artists while allowing each song to stand on its own creatively.
Their chemistry is evident throughout the conversation, reinforcing why OMERTÁ has resonated with fans since its release.
Why This Interview Matters
The Close Friends Only episode offers fans a rare opportunity to see two of Colombia’s biggest stars outside of the recording studio.
From heartfelt conversations about family and success to humorous stories about celebrity DMs and their shared love for Colombian culture, the interview reminds viewers that some of the strongest collaborations in music are built on authentic friendships.
With OMERTÁ continuing to gain momentum, the conversation provides another glimpse into the personalities behind one of Latin music’s most talked-about partnerships.
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