ALEXANDRA ALCALA / ASST. A&C EDITOR

Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, also known as Peso Pluma, is a 25-year-old Mexican singer and songwriter. Peso Pluma rose to fame in 2023 when he released his album “Genesis,” which peaked  at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Even though these were not the first songs Peso Pluma had come out with, these were the ones that allowed his name to make an appearance in several charts. 

2023 was also the year that the song “Ella Baila Sola,” by Eslabon Armado ft. Peso Pluma, hit the Billboard Hot 100. His other songs like “La Bebe” and his collaboration with artist Bizarrap did  not take  long to become  top hits. 

“The first time I heard about Peso Pluma was when he collaborated with Yng Lvcas in the song called ‘La Bebe’ due to the song promotion throughout the Tik Tok platform,” Junior Kaylie Hernandez said. “After hearing this song [‘La Bebe’], the curiosity sparked in me to see what other songs were composed by Peso Pluma, therefore I started listening more to his music.”

Peso Pluma currently has 46.68 million monthly listeners on Spotify which ranks him as the 49th most-listened to artist across the platform with additional listeners around the world. This number has decreased since 2023, when he was first discovered, as he was ranked as the fifth most-listened to artist in the world, sitting just behind singers like Taylor Swift, Drake and The Weekend. 

Peso Pluma has given a new perspective and voice to Hispanic music, especially Mexican music, by bringing in new tones that are not as frequently heard in mainstream music. He is a very versatile artist, ranging from reggaeton and corridos to soft and romantic melodies. 

It is not unusual for Hispanic music to be a global sensation. Artists such as Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi have done this before. However,  the level reached by Peso Pluma was surprising due to his quick escalation in listeners. 

In 2022, he was just a young singer who was featured in songs by more popular Mexican artists such as “AMG” by Gabito Ballesteros and “Siempre Pendientes” by Luis R. Conriquez. He then transformed into an international sensation with the song “PCR” in collaboration with well-known Mexican singer Natanael Cano. This song placed number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and it now has 699, 570, 769 plays on Spotify. 

Peso Pluma’s influence has been seen both at USD and in the larger San Diego community. On  Sept. 5, 2024, Peso Pluma performed in the Pechanga  Arena in San Diego. Because the concert venue was only a few minutes away from USD, it attracted many students. While some were not able to attend, they still gave their opinions on the artist himself and what they thought of his music.  Hernandez shared what she thinks the impact of Peso Pluma has been on Mexican culture.

“I would say I am a listener of his music as the beats and rhythm stood out to me and his music represents a modern evolution of regional Mexican music,” Hernandez said. “I think his fame had an effect on the Hispanic culture and community due to his work in the genre called corridos tumbados; a genre that reflects stories of street life, success and struggles, but also   the controversies based on the drug culture. In addition, his songs often highlight the experience of younger generations in Mexico and the U.S., portraying themes of ambition and resilience.”

Despite the positive impacts, there have also been some  negative reactions. For example, some have mentioned that they would have preferred    for  another  artist  to have  this kind of success as they do not believe Peso Pluma gives the best image of Mexico and its culture. 

“Some of the things he sings about are somewhat questionable, in the sense that he sings about drugs and other things that I personally don’t associate with,” USD sophomore Paloma Valencia said. “By singing about these topics, he promotes and in many ways encourages people to think these things are okay. It’s especially concerning with younger generations. Coming from someone who has younger siblings. It’s definitely an issue with how people decide to take these things, but I know most people simply enjoy his music for what it is, not necessarily for what it talks about,” said Valencia.

Mixed opinions on the artist and his lyrics are present among  students, but it appears that regardless, Peso Pluma  has  maintained a stable  career and  has consistently produced high numbers on platforms like Spotify and at  concert venues around the world. As he continues to capture the hearts of people in and outside of his community, Peso Pluma reminds listeners that Mexican music is just as important and deserved of praise as any other genre of music.

Peso Pluma’s performance in San Diego at the Pechanga Arena on Sept. 6. Photo courtesy of @pesopluma/Instagram