Karol G responds to backlash that her song '+57' promotes pedophilia and human trafficking

Last week, Karol G released a song called "+57." She collaborated with several Colombian artists, including Maluma, J Balvin, Blessd, Ryan Castro, Ovy On The Drums and her partner Feid. 

The backlash to a part of the lyrics was quick. In parts of the song, the lyrics that Maluma and Feid sing say “Mamacita desde los 14,” referring to a young teen being hot at 14 years old.  

Many fans criticized the lyrics as part of the sexualization of young teens that occurs in Colombia and Latin America as well as other parts of the world. 

The Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar went even further past the criticism of the song, identifying a pattern of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Colombia where teens are invited to parties by friends and are told to turn off their phones. Another part of the lyric indicates that she is “smart” for turning off her phone. 

“Was this necessary, to have this type of content in a society, with the problems that we have in Colombia? It’s great to empower women, but is this really a conscious way of doing it?” an Instagram user posted on Karol G’s post about the song. 

Karol G responded in her Instagram story that the lyrics were “taken out of context.” She recognized that she was willing to listen to criticism. 

“I listen, I take responsibility and I realized that I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”