Gabito Ballesteros is teaming up with FOX Deportes to blend the worlds of Latine music and the Super Bowl together. The Mexican superstar and Anuel AA will open the Spanish-language coverage of Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9. In an email interview with Remezcla, Ballesteros also talked about representing música mexicana with this project, who he hopes to see perform at the halftime show in the future, and what’s next for him.
“Truthfully, it’s a very great honor and it’s something that I never imagined,” Ballesteros says about his special collaboration with FOX Deportes. “I know very big artists have been involved with this in the past, and that’s why I’m very excited to be a part of this project. It’s something new for me, and I’m very happy to be representing Latin music on such a big stage.”
In the past few years, Ballesteros has emerged as one of música mexicana’s next stars on the rise. The Cumpas, Sonora, native is a protegé of corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano. He is also signed to Cano’s Los CT label and Interscope Records. Ballesteros is also very close to the scene’s other stars like Peso Pluma, Junior H, Tito Double P, Luis R. Conriquez, and Neton Vega. His biggest hits include Peso Pluma’s “Lady Gaga” with Junior H, Cano’s “AMG, and “Lou Lou.” Recently, Ballesteros has gone viral with “Los Presidentes” featuring Conriquez and Vega.
Now, Ballesteros is going to take on the Super Bowl. He is following in the footsteps of other música mexicana acts like Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Tigres del Norte, and Banda MS, who previously partnered with FOX Deportes. Last month, Ballesteros filmed a video with Anuel AA in Mexico City that will open FOX Deportes’ coverage of the Super Bowl on game day. The Spanish-language coverage will start at 1 p.m. EST, which will also include Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show performance.
What does it mean to you to represent Mexico and música mexicana in this project with FOX Deportes?
I feel a lot of pride. Being able to represent música mexicana and Latin culture at an event like the Super Bowl is a very big responsibility, but it’s also a unique opportunity. It makes me happy to know that we’re raising our Mexican flag to the highest at the Super Bowl.
How do you feel to be a part of the música mexicana explosion and helping make the genre go global?
I feel a lot of pride. Bringing música mexicana to other countries and making people connect with it makes me feel like I’m doing something great, not just for me but for all of us who grew up with this music. It’s like saying to the world: “Look at all that we are and all that we have to offer.”
Do you watch football and are you a fan?
I like it and admire it a lot. I get to watch some games from time to time. Truthfully, I haven’t really played it myself. I’m from Sonora and baseball is more popular there. Since I was a child, I went more in that direction but I greatly admire the people who play and practice football. I know it is a great sport.
Who would you love to see perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in the future?
Mi compa Nata [Cano].
How are you going to spend your Super Bowl Sunday?
If I’m in Sonora, we’ll get together at my mom’s house, my friends and I, with the carne asada. Carne asada is a must.
How are you putting your own stamp on corridos and música mexicana?
I am putting my style, my story, and what I feel into it. The corridos tumbados are like a mix of what I heard growing up and what I want to say now. It is music that connects with people because it’s what’s real, and it reflects what we go through. I think my thing is to be authentic and not copy anyone. I always put my heart into each song.
Are you working on a new album?
I am working on material for a new album and have my list of artists I would like to collaborate with. I would love to work with Anuel AA. I told him that I would like send him a song. While filming this video with FOX Deportes, we exchanged numbers to keep in touch. Let’s hope that happens.
What more can we expect from you this year?
We have been working on an album that we are going to turn in soon and see if, God willing, it comes out in a few months. Then we’re going to do a tour of Mexico and the United States, and we’ll see if we visit Colombia and Spain later this year too.
What do you see for the future of música mexicana?
I see that its future is very bright. There are more and more artists breaking through and taking our music to places where it hasn’t gone before. I think we’ll see more fusions, more unique styles, and more raza proud to say that they are Mexican. Música mexicana is at its best, and what’s coming will be even more cool.
