Unless you’ve been living off-grid, you’ve likely heard about ‘corridos tumbados.’ This Mexican music subgenre has exploded in popularity, largely thanks to artists like Peso Pluma. However, pioneers like Natanael Cano laid the groundwork, with his 2019 album Corridos Tumbados becoming a key influence. Now, Xavi, a young Mexican-American artist, is taking the genre to new heights, achieving remarkable success before even reaching adulthood.
Alongside Peso Pluma’s massive fame, a wave of talented young Mexican artists has surged onto the music scene, captivating audiences both in Mexico and the United States. These artists share a passion for traditional Mexican music, blended with youthful energy and contemporary sounds. They are not just talented; they are incredibly young.
Let’s dive into the world of these rising Mexican music stars beyond Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano, including Xavi, Junior H, Gabito Ballesteros, Yng Lvcas, and the Esquivel Brothers, to discover their ages and contributions to this exciting musical movement.
Xavi’s Age and Rise to Stardom in Corridos Tumbados
Joshua Xavier Gutierrez, known to the world as Xavi, discovered his passion for music early in life. He began playing the guitar at just 10 years old and composing his own songs by the age of 12. Social media played a crucial role in Xavi’s initial recognition, with songs like ‘Amigos con Derecho’ gaining traction online. However, his burgeoning career faced a setback in 2021 when a car accident temporarily halted his singing.
After a year of recovery, Xavi made a powerful comeback in 2022, shifting his musical focus to romantic corridos. This style blends traditional Mexican music with urban influences, emphasizing themes of love and heartbreak. At just 18 years old, which is Xavi’s current age, he achieved significant chart success with ‘La Víctima.’ This song resonated widely, even capturing the attention of Karol G, and climbed to number 24 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs Chart, even reaching the top 10 at one point.
Xavi’s ascent continued rapidly into early 2024 when he secured his first number 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart with ‘La Diabla.’ This achievement extended to the global stage, as ‘La Diabla’ also topped the Global Spotify chart, making Xavi the first Mexican artist to reach the number one spot globally with a solo single.
Junior H: A Young Veteran of Corridos Tumbados
Antonio Herrera, widely known as Junior H, is another prominent figure in the corridos tumbados scene. At just 24 years old, Junior H has already established a strong presence in Mexican music both domestically and internationally. Similar to Xavi, Junior H’s musical journey started young; he began writing songs at the age of 12. By 17, he expanded his musical skills by learning to play instruments such as the guitar and accordion.
In 2019, Junior H joined Rancho Humilde, a record label instrumental in the growth of corridos tumbados. This move connected him with leading artists like Natanael Cano, with whom he collaborated on ‘Disfruto lo Malo.’ His collaborations extend to Peso Pluma, with whom he has released popular tracks like ‘El Azul,’ ‘Lady Gaga,’ and ‘A Tu Manera.’ Notably, ‘A Tu Manera’ marked Junior H’s first release following Peso Pluma’s public breakup with Argentine artist Nicki Nicole, adding a layer of personal narrative to his music.
Gabito Ballesteros: From Engineering to Musical Charts
Despite holding a degree in industrial engineering, Gabriel Ballesteros, known as Gabito Ballesteros, chose a musical path, following in the footsteps of corridos tumbados icons such as Natanael Cano, Peso Pluma, and Junior H. He has carved out his unique style within the genre and gained significant popularity through social media virality. His breakthrough came with a cover of ‘Apagaré La Luz’ by Hermanos Vega Jr.
Gabito Ballesteros achieved widespread recognition in 2022 with ‘El Chamán,’ which has amassed over 12 million views on YouTube. His career further ascended with successful collaborations, most notably ‘AMG,’ a track featuring Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano. ‘AMG’ marked Gabito’s debut on Billboard charts, achieving placements both in the United States and internationally. Since then, Gabito Ballesteros has continued to build on his success and is currently preparing for his GB Tour.
Yng Lvcas: Blending Reggaeton with Mexican Flair
Daniel Oswaldo Donlocas Martínez, known as Yng Lvcas, brings a reggaeton-infused style to the Mexican music scene. He created a significant impact with the viral hit ‘La Bebé.’ The song’s popularity exploded further with a remix featuring Peso Pluma, ‘La Bebé Remix.’ Its widespread appeal even caught the attention of David Guetta, who created his own mix, demonstrating the broad influence of Mexican artists beyond traditional genres.
Sebastián and Eugenio Esquivel: Brothers Bringing Party Vibes
Brothers Sebastián and Eugenio Esquivel, aged 23 and 19 respectively, are contributing to the popularity of Mexican party music. Their viral TikTok hit, ‘Alucín,’ featuring Marca Registrada, became a sensation, amplified by their distinctive dance moves. Their music offers a departure from the themes of nostalgia and heartbreak often found in corridos tumbados, focusing instead on party anthems, or ‘la peda’ as it’s known in Mexico, while still incorporating traditional and urban rhythms.
In conclusion, Xavi, at just 18 years old, is at the forefront of a movement of young Mexican artists who are redefining Mexican music on a global scale. Alongside talents like Junior H, Gabito Ballesteros, Yng Lvcas, and the Esquivel Brothers, these young musicians are proving that age is no barrier to innovation and success in the music industry. They are not just riding a wave; they are creating it, blending youthful energy with deep musical roots to produce a sound that resonates with a global audience.
