Watch J Balvin & Gilberto Santa Rosa Bring Salsa Magic to ‘Tonight Show’ With ‘Misterio’

A week after releasing his surprise album, Mixteip, J Balvin stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to talk about his new project—and perform one of its standout tracks. 

On Thursday (July 24), the Colombian superstar sat down with Fallon to discuss the 10-track album, where he not only pays homage to the old-school reggaetón, but also delivers his signature progressive and experimental side.  

“It’s a mixtape, like the old days. You go to the streets and sell it,” he said of the set’s concept during the late-night conversation. “At least that was my first approach to mixtapes when I came to the United States. People selling the CDs in the streets, so I started doing the same when I was here hustling to make reggaetón big in the world. It gives me that nostalgia.”

In addition, Balvin was joined by Puerto Rican icon Gilberto Santa Rosa for the TV debut performance of their collaboration, “Misterio”—a seductive masterpiece that goes from a smooth reaggetón to an exhilarating salsa melody.

“What an honor to be with a legend,” Balvin expressed on Instagram when he announced the TV appearance earlier this week. “El Caballero de la Salsa bringing generations together for the first time on Fallon Tonight. Colombia and Puerto Rico in the house!”

Santa Rosa responded with: “The privilege is mine, and I’m truly honored and grateful for your invitation, J Balvin. I wholeheartedly appreciate this opportunity. We’ll be there with Mr. Jimmy Fallon, blending urbano and salsa, and bringing that Latin flavor!”

Mixteip, which Balvin told fans on social media are “songs I had on my iPod and now are going to your playlist,” follows the release of his sixth studio album, Rayo, released last August and which debuted on the Top Latin Albums chart at No. 13.

Watch the interview and performance below: