Shares his cowboy name and special advice for son Río [EXCLUSIVE]

Eight years after making history as the first reggaeton artist to headline the Houston Rodeo, J Balvin is back and bigger than ever. The Colombian superstar returned to NRG Stadium on March 4, performing for more than 70,000 fans at the iconic Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston. It was a full-circle moment that came eight years after his groundbreaking 2018 debut.

This year’s highly anticipated show also marked a milestone for the event, as Hennessy made its debut as the Official Cognac of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, adding a new layer of celebration to the evening’s global energy.

Speaking exclusively to ¡HOLA! before taking the stage, Balvin reflected on how much has changed since that first performance. “This is the second time we’re here. Eight years ago was the first time we came, and in eight years we’ve grown so much,” he said. With the rodeo grounds buzzing, including the brand’s newly introduced Hennessy Roadhouse experience featuring Houston DJs and interactive moments, the night carried an added sense of anticipation.

© Gaby Deimeke

“So I’m excited to see the love I’m going to receive from the audience. But without a doubt, the responsibility is on me to give them the best energy.”

Back in 2018, Balvin drew a then-record 74,701 attendees, delivering a vibrant, Medellín-inspired set packed with showstopping choreography and global hits like “Mi Gente.”

This time around, he returned not as a trailblazer testing new ground, but as a global force with an even deeper catalog and a stadium-sized presence to match.

© Tyler Marcotte

He opened this year’s show with the unmistakable pulse of “Mi Gente,” immediately igniting the arena. From there, he moved seamlessly through “Reggaeton,” “Amarillo” and “Azul,” before launching into crowd favorites including “Loco Contigo,” “Con Altura,” “Safari” and “I Like It.”

Flames shot into the Texas sky, pyrotechnics lit up the stadium, and Balvin, sharing the stage with his dancers, wore a striking monochromatic red look and later changed into a white tee and cowboy hat, effortlessly fusing Western flair with his signature global Latin energy.

At one point, he paused for a stripped-down moment during “La Canción,” letting the crowd sing in unison before rebuilding the tempo and closing with “Que Calor” and “In Da Ghetto.” During the set, he made sure to shout out the Latino community, naming countries across Latin America and expressing heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love.

Ahead of the show, Balvin also teased his rodeo alter ego, joking that his cowboy name would be “El Yeehaw.” But while the spectacle was massive, his proudest moments right now are much closer to home.

© Gaby Deimeke

The singer premiered his new single “Tonto” featuring Ryan Castro and DJ Snake. However, the project is a true family affair. His son, Río, appears in the video alongside his wife, Argentinian model Valentina Ferrer.

“The new song ‘Tonto’ with Ryan Castro features my son Río, and my wife is in the video,” Balvin shared. “It’s a very playful song, honestly. It has a lot of dancing, a lot of good vibes. ‘Godzilla’ is there, that’s what we call my son. I think everything about it is really beautiful and very family-oriented.”

But when it comes to Río potentially following in his footsteps, Balvin’s advice is thoughtful and protective. “If one day Río wanted to dedicate himself to music,” he said, “I would tell him to think about it a thousand times before doing it.”

© CASSIE STRICKER, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

With Balvin headlining, the evening became a seamless blend of Western tradition and global Latin sound. A reflection of how much both the rodeo and the genre have evolved, as he embarks on a Mexico arena tour this spring, continuing to expand a live presence that has become central to his global impact.

In Houston, J Balvin proved that whether he is “El Yeehaw” for the night or the global ambassador of reggaeton, he knows exactly how to bring the energy and the heart to center stage.

Looking back at Houston Rodeo history and the Roadhouse Tradition:

Long before it became one of the largest live entertainment events in the country, the Houston Rodeo was rooted in a deep Texas tradition. In 1931, the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition was created after seven men met for lunch at the Texas State Hotel with the goal of preserving the cattle industry along the Texas Gulf Coast.

By 1942, the Rodeo welcomed its first entertainer, the “Singing Cowboy,” Gene Autry, marking the beginning of its now-legendary concert tradition. In 1961, the Houston Fat Stock Show was renamed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and in 1966 it debuted its iconic “Bowlegged H” logo before moving to the Astrodome.

© Arlene Richie

Among the Rodeo’s most unforgettable milestones was Selena’s 1995 performance at the Houston Astrodome, her final show before her death. A moment that cemented the event’s deep connection to Latino audiences.

Over the decades, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has continued to spotlight Hispanic and Latin performers, reflecting the cultural fabric of the city itself and expanding the Rodeo’s legacy beyond country roots into a truly global stage.

© Provided

From the late 19th century, roadhouses served as informal roadside destinations scattered along the highways and back roads of Texas and the South. They were gathering spots for drinks, music, food, and connection, where rodeo cowboys would stop as they traveled from town to town.

That spirit of community laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This year, that historic roadhouse spirit found a modern expression with the debut of the Hennessy Roadhouse experience on the rodeo grounds.