These days, nostalgia plays a huge factor in the new music released. We’re seeing a growing trend of artists sampling or giving an ode to tracks from yesteryear — take Bad Bunny’s nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, which samples Madonna’s classic “Vogue,” among other hits. In Gabito Ballesteros’s case, he’s revamping a classic with a modern touch in his newest single “A Puro Dolor,” out today (Nov. 30).
Originally released by Son By Four in 2000, Ballesteros has always been familiar with the Latine classic. “It’s a song that I grew up listening to frequently as a kid,” the 24-year-old recalls, adding that he knew that song would be perfect to cover, now that these types of reimaginations are trendy. “We saw an opportunity, no one had done this kind of cover, so there we were giving it all we got.”
As one of música mexicana’s emerging stars, Ballesteros is quickly making a name for himself. The Sonora-born artist started his musical journey at only 10 years old in a children’s mariachi, and later gained momentum by posting covers on social media. Now, he’s collaborating with huge names like Becky G, Natanael Cano, and Peso Pluma. Consequently, he’s reached new milestones, such as his first Billboard Hot 100 placement with his hit collaboration with “AMG” with Cano and Peso. Another one of his recent hits is “LADY GAGA” with Peso Pluma and Junior H, which Remezcla named as one of this year’s Best Corridos & Regional Mexican Songs.
In “A Puro Dolor,” Ballesteros follows the original Puerto Rican boy band in showing a more sensitive side to his artistry. However, instead of the original ballad feel, the Mexican crooner adds traditional música mexicana elements like guitar strings and brass instruments, and wraps it all in a distinctive 6/8 time signature.
This rendition comes at a pivotal time after Ballesteros signed with Interscope. Though he doesn’t have a set album release date yet, he’s looking forward to dropping a string of new music before the highly-anticipated debut album. When asked what’s next music-wise, he shares that he plans to release “puros éxitos [only bangers]” – which he’s already given us a taste of with songs like “LOU LOU” with Natanael Cano.
With this successful and skyrocketing come-up going hand-in-hand with música mexicana’s mainstream spotlight, Ballesteros knows he has a lot to tackle. “[It’s] a very big commitment because we were in this stage where música mexicana reached more people worldwide. We are proud to be representing our flag, with the commitment and responsibility that comes with occupying this space at this time.”
[It’s] a very big commitment because we were in this stage where música mexicana reached more people worldwide. We are proud to be representing our flag, with the commitment and responsibility that comes with occupying this space at this time.
Up next, he hopes to see more artists continue to collaborate with each other. Ballesteros says música mexicana figures are already seeing the “power” of collaborations, which used to be scarce because artists would only focus on their own careers. “[Collaborations] have also allowed us to further establish what música mexicana is. [There’s power in] collaborating, [in] supporting each other, [in] helping each other out,” he adds.
“We’ve seen it before with reggaeton, three or four [artists] in a song. In regional Mexican [music], that was rare,” he explains. “Today, [the change] has already happened, and I think that’s also why this [movement] is reaching another level.”
