In the vibrant tapestry of Latin music, Peso Pluma emerges as a revolutionary force, reshaping the landscape with his distinctive sound and captivating artistry. This article explores the multifaceted journey of Peso Pluma, his unique musical style, and the impact he has had on Mexican music, both locally and globally.
Early Beginnings and Musical Influences
Hailing from Zapopan, Jalisco, Peso Pluma has not only risen to prominence but has also become a symbol of Mexico’s rich musical heritage. Influenced by the likes of Vicente Fernández, José Alfredo Jiménez, and Chalino Sánchez, Peso Pluma developed a deep appreciation for traditional Mexican music, which would later become the cornerstone of his own musical style.
The 24-year-old singer is the king of “corridos tumbados” modern versions of traditional Mexican music, which have been hugely successful in the last two years. Peso Pluma sings and raps with clear influences from contemporary hip-hop and reggaeton and a production that approaches traditional forms.
The songs often maintain the hi-hat and the 808 basses typical of trap songs, or the percussive pattern of reggaeton if it leans more towards that style; however, organic instruments overlap in melodies and/or scales that recall the traditional regional oral tradition.
A Meteoric Rise to Fame
Peso Pluma’s ascent to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. In just a few short years, he has transcended local acclaim to become a global phenomenon. His music has amassed millions of streams on Spotify, and he has collaborated with industry giants such as Luis R Conriquez, Natanael Cano, and Eslabón Armado.
Since his early viral hits in collaboration with Eslabón Armado, such as “Ella baila sola” Peso Pluma has captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. However, the young artist did not expect the magnitude of the impact his music would have on the international scene.
With his debut album, “Ah y Qué?”, and songs like “El belicón” with Raúl Vega, Peso Pluma has set new records on Spotify. His music has become the most streamed in a single day worldwide in the regional Mexican genre, and it has also positioned itself as the most streamed Latin song in the United States in a single day. These numbers speak to the impact and relevance of his musical proposal.
The regional Mexican genre, which encompasses a wide range of styles such as norteño, corridos, banda, rancheras, and mariachi, had never before received the attention and nuances it deserves.
Going global with it
“They call it Regional Mexican music but how is that possible?” he said during a recent interview. “People are listening to corridos even in Japan!”
He resists the idea that there’s only room for one Spanish language music genre — reggaeton — for fans to love.
Thus, we find ourselves facing a globalized regionalism, which claims its own identity mixing with the popular trends that run through the entire planet. After several years where national proposals were monotonous or indistinguishable (thanks to globalization, a person from Japan and another from Spain can be creating the same thing), “corrido tumbado” joins the pan-Hispanic urban trap party, in which all Spanish-speaking countries see urban music as an excuse to investigate the musical roots of their country.
In July 2023, “Génesis” — his third studio album, but the first since he perfected his sound and increased his ambitions — debuted at number 3 on Billboard’s list of albums of all genres, the highest position ever reached by an album of regional Mexican music. And it has had staying power: more than a dozen weeks later, it is still in the Top 10. Just on Spotify, his songs have been played several billion times.
At the beginning of this year, “corrido tumbado” has crossed international borders: Peso Pluma, Junior H, or Eslabon Armado have positioned themselves as some of the most listened-to artists on Spotify, and the official genre lists on the platform exceed one million followers. In addition, the trend has also been echoed by Billboard on its ‘Billboard Hot 100’ list, where Peso Pluma continues to rank above 30th place.
Preserving Tradition While Embracing Innovation
Peso Pluma’s impact on Mexican music is undeniable. While he has embraced modern musical trends, he has also stayed true to his roots, preserving the traditional elements of Mexican music. In doing so, he has not only kept the spirit of Mexican music alive but has also brought it to new heights of popularity.
Mexican regional music is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, and Peso Pluma has become a pioneer in this movement.
Peso Pluma’s legacy in regional Mexican music is assured, and we will continue to be attentive to his new releases and triumphs in the fascinating world of the music industry.
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