J Balvin Apologizes, Deletes Controversial ‘Perra’ Video Where Black Women Were On Leashes

Colombian singer J Balvin has apologized weeks after being called out for his and Dominican rapper Tokischa’s controversial video “Perra” (“Female Dog”).

The music video, which has since been removed from YouTube, featured Balvin tugging at leashes worn by two Black women. The visuals also showed Tokischa, a Black woman, in a doghouse while on all fours and a group of Black people in animal-style makeup that made them look like dogs.

On Sunday, Balvin took to his Instagram Story to apologize for the controversial video. “I want to say sorry to whoever felt offended, especially to the Black community,” he said, as reported by Billboard.

“That’s not who I am. I’m about tolerance, love, and inclusivity. I also like to support new artists, in this case, Tokischa, a woman who supports her people, her community and also empowers women.”

Last weekend, the “Perra” music video mysteriously disappeared from YouTube. However, during his apology, Balvin revealed that he actually deleted it.

“As a form of respect, I removed the video eight days ago, but because the criticism continued, I’m here making a statement. Mom, I’m sorry too. Life gets better each day. Thank you for listening to me,” he said.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Tokischa also apologized for the video.

“I understand the interpretation people had, and I’m truly sorry that people felt offended. But at the same time, art is expression. It’s creating a world,” she said.

Raymi Paulus, the director of the music video and Tokischa’s manager, insisted the video was meant to be a “satirical representation” of the different contexts the word “Perra” is used in and depicts life living in barrios of the Dominican Republic.