Photo Credit: Getty Images for Coachella
The performance was a part of J Balvin's UFO-themed set, which featured an inflatable spaceship and dancers dressed as aliens. Smith's appearance was brief but memorable, as he performed the "Men in Black" theme song alongside Balvin, ending the cosmic boogie with the flash of a neuralyzer, the memory-wiping gadget from the film franchise.
Balvin's set was a journey through his hits, opening with the global smash "Mi Gente" and blending various genres to create a bass-laden tropical medley. The stage design was minimalistic at first, gradually introducing interstellar visuals and colors, culminating in a spectacle of galaxies and stars.
Fans and journalists alike were captivated by the performance, with Rolling Stone noting the seamless integration of house and techno into Balvin's reggaeton beats. The presence of star producer Tainy at the turntables added to the night's vibrancy.
The collaboration between Smith and Balvin isn't their first; Smith has previously expressed his admiration for Balvin's music and reggaeton in general. In 2019, Balvin's track "Ritmo," a collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas, was featured in Smith's film "Bad Boys for Life".
As the set drew to a close, Balvin left the audience with a cryptic message, hinting at new beginnings: "New season coming soon," he said in Spanish, before descending beneath the stage. The statement left fans wondering about the future, eagerly anticipating what's next from the reggaeton sensation.
