Karol G Responds to Criticism Over ‘+57’ Lyrics: ‘I Still Have a Lot to Learn’

Karol G gave a lengthy response Monday (Nov. 11) to the criticism her new song “+57” — featuring J Balvin, Feid, Maluma and other Colombian acts — as it faces backlash over lyrics that some have construed as sexualizing minors.

Her post comes four days after dropping the reggaetón track, which brought together Colombia’s biggest hitmakers, also including Ryan Castro, Blessd and newcomer DFZM. Produced by Ovy on the Drums — Karol’s longtime producer — and co-written by Keityn, the song, even before it dropped, was being labeled as a new anthem for Colombia.

But shortly after it was released on Thursday (Nov. 7), the song’s lyrics received criticism online, with some people pointing out its over sexualization of minors. (In one line, they mention a woman who’s been a “mamacita,” or “hot mama,” since she was 14 years old.) Rolling Stone En Español published a column titled “The Disaster of +’57′” and the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) issued a statement saying that the song “reinforces the sexualization of children in our country” and that it “does not contribute to our fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.”

Karol wrote in her Instagram Stories that as artists, they are exposed to public opinion and that the song’s lyrics were taken out of context. She began her message by pointing out that she has always been grateful for her fans’ support and those who “know my project, the intentions of my work and the causes close to my heart, those that move me, that I am passionate about and for which I work every day with love and responsibility,” she continued. “I do care about my people and I am a person that every day I look for ways to get involved in projects where I myself can extend my blessing and impact in a positive way the lives of many people.

“As artists, we are exposed to public opinion, and to the individual interpretations of people who like us and people who differ with what we do. I feel a lot of frustration for the misinformation that has been given, about the false posts that I have supposedly made and deleted from twitter, an account that I have not used for more than six months. In this case, unfortunately, the lyrics of a song, with which I sought to celebrate the union between artists and put to shine my people … were taken out of context. None of the things said in the song have the direction they have been given, nor was it said from that perspective but I listen, I take responsibility and I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” she added. It’s worth noting that Karol doesn’t sing the line about the “14 year old,” but rather some of the men on the track, yet she’s the one apologizing.

Feid, Balvin and Ovy on the Drums have all reposted Karol’s post in solidarity. “Queen, we are with you,” Balvin wrote. “You have given us so many wins that this doesn’t take away from your greatness, we’re here unconditionally.”

Karol ended her post once again thanking her fans for “their unconditional love and support.” She concluded, “I value it very much, and the artists who participated with me in the song, I keep in my heart the beautiful energy with which we worked that day.”