Colombia’s Council of State has issued a formal rebuke against Karol G, J Balvin, Maluma, Feid, Ryan Castro, Blessd, and others over their song “+57,” ruling that it violated the rights of children by sexualizing minors in its lyrics.
The track, meant to celebrate Colombian unity in music, became controversial for the line “Una chimbita desde los 14,”which translates to “A hottie since she was 14.” Critics, including children’s rights advocates, called out the line for normalizing harmful depictions of minors. Several citizens filed a “tutela”—a legal mechanism in Colombia to protect constitutional rights—and the court agreed, emphasizing that:
“Sexualizing minors reduces them to becoming objects of desire, and exposes them to risks that can affect their development.”
While no fines or criminal penalties were imposed, the court ordered the artists to refrain from publishing or promoting lyrics that infringe upon the rights of children and adolescents going forward.
In response to the backlash, the lyric in question was updated to “una chimbita desde los 18”, and Karol G issued a public apology, acknowledging the unintended harm caused and expressing that she still had “so much to learn.”
This case sets a significant precedent in Latin music and raises major questions about artistic responsibility, censorship, and the social role of popular music—especially when it involves global superstars.
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