Peso Pluma Finally Addresses Narco Corrido Culture With Theatrical Coachella Set
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Peso Pluma doesn’t need to prove his pop stardom. In just a year, the 24-year-old Guadalajara, Mexico native has achieved many historic firsts, starting with his aptly titled “Génesis” LP — the first regional Mexican record to claim a top-five rank on the all-genre-inclusive Billboard 200 albums chart. He’s mastered a distinctive range, too, collaborating with Latin music’s biggest stars — Kali Uchis, Karol G and Becky G, just to name a few — and along the way, has represented the recent increase of regional Mexican music’s popularity in the United States and other parts of the world.
But looming in the background of his success are the allegations that he is perpetuating drug trafficking culture with lyrics that call out notorious Mexican drug cartels, their leaders and the drugs they carry. Peso has done little to negate these claims, though he has lashed out in other ways; he once hung up on a Los Angeles reporter after being asked for comment on the topic.
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During the singer’s Friday night main stage set on Coachella’s opening day, Peso finally said what may have been all he needed to say on the subject.
With narration from Morgan Freeman, Peso’s set began with images of Chalino Sanchez, one of the most legendary Mexican regional artists to have lived. He was killed in 1992 after a concert in Culiacán, Sinaloa where he was handed a note from the crowd believed to be a death threat. Throughout his set, Peso made similar references to news clips about him and other Mexican artists whose music has similarly reflected the narco culture that surrounds them. Freeman’s voice echoed lines about Peso being born into this complicated legacy, as opposed to choosing to be a part of it.
“What comes is the growth — some of us grow in the light,” said Freeman. “We reflect the surroundings around us. We mirror the opportunity we are given. But for others, they grow in the shadows — where it’s what you do that defines you.”
Peso performed backed by his seven-piece band — including an upright bass (also known as a tololoche), a requinto guitar, alto horns and charchetas — to an overwhelmingly large crowd of festival-goers, many of them touting their red, white and green flag.
Just one year after he appeared as a part of Becky G’s Coachella set, Peso returned the favor, welcoming the pop star as his first guest for their song “Chanel.” He introduced her as the first female artist to have supported his ascent into superstardom.
Peso made sure to bring the theatrics with a hits-filled set that featured an expertly synchronized group of dancers that served as hype men for whenever Peso would jump and dance his way through songs. He started the set with the fiery “Rubicon,” and sang his way through hits including “La Bebe” and “Lady Gaga.” The stage production shined when Peso performed “Quema,” which started with an army-like march from dancers that erupted into full-blown frenzy when Peso ran through his lyrics. He showed his rap skills on “Peso Completo,” a cut off his upcoming album with guest Arcángel, and “No Son Klle” with guest Santa Fe Klan. Corridos tumbados star Junior H was also a guest and later appeared on screen as a part of an expansive visual tribute to Mexican music greats that also included legends Jenni Rivera (the only female artist on the slideshow), Joan Sebastian, Ariel Camacho and Ramón Ayala, to name a few.
After delivering one of the most exciting sets of Friday night, Freeman announced “Éxodo” — Peso’s upcoming album — would soon begin.
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