How Cris MJ Is Globalizing Chile’s Booming Reggaetón Movement

Cris MJ’s love for reggaetón was instilled in him by his parents. “I didn’t watch cartoons growing up, I watched reggaeton music videos,” he tells Billboard — admitting that when he was eight years old, he would imitate urban artists at his school talent shows. 

Inspired by old-school reggaetón acts, such as Daddy Yankee, Jory and Ñengo Flow, as well as American Trap artists Travis Scott, Drake and Lil Baby, the emerging Chilean artist decided to teach himself how to make music.

His first creations were music videos recorded on his iPhone and songs uploaded by himself on DistroKid— ”it was difficult for a reggaetón artist to get support here,” he explains, especially in his hometown of La Serena (located on the coast of Chile). However, he intended to make a name for himself by uploading Spanish covers of some of his favorite English rap and trap songs on social media.

At one point of his career, Cris — who has spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart with his FloyyMenor-assisted “Gata Only” — fell into a depression, and almost quit music. He explains that he didn’t believe in his project because of negative comments he heard on the streets. 

But his leap of faith arrived in 2020, when he moved to the capital of Santiago, and unleashed his first official single called “Como Tú Ninguna,” a catchy urban-mambo that locally put him on the map. “I like doing all styles of music, but overall with futuristic beats or beats that I can vibe with,” he says. 

The song that ultimately opened all doors for him, however, arrived in 2022: “Una Noche en Medellín” — a hard-hitting perreo that highlights the vibrant Colombian nightlife. After going viral on TikTok, it landed on Karol G’s radar, who later jumped on the remix, invited fellow Colombian Ryan Castro to join in, and even included it on her Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) album. 

The powerful collaboration — which Karol & Cris first performed together at the 2023 Viña del Mar—earned the Chilean act his first Hot 100 entry, when it debuted at No. 68 last year in August.

Now, following his debut albums Welcome to My World (2022) and Partyson (2023), Cris continues to herald the Chilean reggaetón movement with “Gata Only.” Similar to “Medellín,” the infectious reggaetón track — about going after an attractive girl — skyrocketed on the charts after building virality on social media. 

The seven-week No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs marks the first time any Chilean artist has entered the top 10 since La Ley and Ednita Nazario’s “Tu Sabes Bien” peaked at No. 8 in 1999. Prior to that, it was Myriam Hernández’s “Huele a Peligro,” which peaked at No. 5 in 1998. 

“For us, this is very important. It’s a pride for all Latinos to be on that chart,” Cris said to Billboard in a previous interview. “In fact, before we released the song, I knew it was going to be a global hit. I’m proud because it’s not only helping my career, but also the one of my colleagues.” 

Cris is currently making the rounds with his latest track “Si No Es Contigo.” Below, learn more about this month’s Latin Artist on the Rise.

Name: Christopher Andrés Álvarez García

Age: 22

Recommended Song: “Una Noche en Medellín”

What’s Next?: Following an extensive tour in Mexico, the Chilean artist is headed to Europe, where he will spend nearly two months touring. He also plans on releasing new music, including a collaboration with Junior H and Bryant Myers.

Biggest accomplishment: Cris MJ says his biggest career accomplishment so far has been to be able to buy his car and own a home in Santiago. In addition to making history on the Billboard charts, he’s also nominated at the 2024 Heat Latin Music Awards (Premios Heat).