After last year’s meteoric rise, corridos tumbados and música mexicana continued their uptick in 2024, making it not just a trend but part of music’s landscape. Without a doubt, one of the biggest events for the genre in 2024 was Peso Pluma taking on one of global music’s biggest stages. By headlining Coachella and bringing with him a history lesson of corridos along the way, the genre reached new heights and audiences. And things only got more eventful as the year progressed, proving that La Doble P wasn’t the only one who would be making big waves.
After much controversy regarding its lyrical content, as well as the sudden financial stakes for such a big genre, many predicted that the music would soften to incorporate itself into the mainstream. To an extent, it became true. Big pop names donned cowboy hats, played with 12-string guitars, and, in some cases, collaborated with corridos artists. No one committed to the bit more than Belinda, who adopted the style for a number of singles, including “300 Noches” with genre daddy Natanael Cano. Likewise, young stars like Dannylux and Xavi sang lyrics about love and lust and cultivated a more traditional, youthful image, diversifying what the genre sounds and looks like.
The rise of corridos tumbados also helped shine a spotlight on a more traditional strain of música mexicana. Artists like Alejandro Fernández, his kin, and the Aguilar family found bigger opportunities. Christian Nodal remains the avatar of this intersection, a controversial, devil-may-care singer aligned to styles of yore, with others like Eden Muñoz walking the same path.
However, a big chunk of corridos tumbados remained bélicos, with acts like Tito Doble P, Eme Malafe, Codiciado, and many others keeping the flame burning, narrating the hard side of life that’s still reality for Mexico. It remained a badge of authenticity while also signaling more controversy, as many people in positions of authority kept calling for censorship.
As of 2024, there are no signs of the genre softening any time soon. Here are the best songs of the year. — Marcos Hassan
1
Xavi - “Una Semana”
At just 20-years-old, Phoenix-born, Sonoran-raised phenom Xavi undeniably had one of the biggest years in música mexicana. After taking the regional space by storm in the last few years, 2024 saw the young sensations’ trajectory continue to skyrocket between sold-out tours, festival and award show performances, a debut album release, and viral singles that continued to top charts and break records. Opening up his latest album release NEXT is track “Una Semana,” a captivating lovelorn romantic corrido that uses his very distinctive voice to reflect on a relationship gone awry and the acceptance of the moment it’s time to move on. Hitting social and streaming virality only hours after its release is only a testament to Gen Z superstar Xavi’s newfound but well-deserved star power and impact that is proving to vigorously transcend genres and generations. – Jeanette Diaz
Credits
Written By: Joshua Xavier Gutierrez Alonso, Fabio Gutierrez, and Salvador Aponte Salvador Aponte
Produced By: Joshua Xavier Gutierrez Alonso, Danny Felix, Antonio “DJ Fuse” Olivera, and Ernesto Fernandez
Record Label: Interscope Records
2
Tito Double P - “El Lokeron”
After becoming Peso Pluma’s first signing to his Double P Records, Tito Laija delivered Incómodo, one of the most ambitious debut albums in the genre featuring a who’s who in the scene — from Nata to Luis R. Conriquez to Chino Pacas to Tito’s cousin, Peso Pluma. However, one of the absolute highlights of the record found Tito on his own, demonstrating his talents and skills without the help of any big names. “El Lokeron” delivers a loud mix of 12-string guitars and horns, but the main focus of the arrangement was Tito’s vocals — forceful, sure of themselves, with just a hint of melody — to tell the tale of a man focused on what’s important to him while still having a good time. Few songs had as much swagger as “El Lokeron,” enough to usher the genre into a new sound and era while heralding the arrival of a new star. — Marcos Hassan
Credits
Written By: Jesús Camacho, Yahid Roel Tejeda, and Juan Manuel Osorio
Produced By: Jesús Roberto Laija Garcia, Ernesto Fernandez, and Arturo Garcia
Record Label: Double P Records
3
Christian Nodal, Estevie - "Un Besito Más”
The back-and-forth uncertainty of a breakup unfolds in “Un Besito Más,” the hit track from música mexicana heavy-hitter Christian Nodal featuring Cumbia-pop darling Estevie. Both artists are well known for their modern fusion of traditional Mexican genres, and Estevie’s young and rapidly growing career embodies the industrial fact that Regional music is booming into the mainstream and is only growing with the help of a new generation of singers and songwriters who are ready to take the torch. “Un Besito Más” has become one of Estevie’s hits, and both artists are well versed at creating songs made to pierce the heart. The music video for the track goes full ranchera with romantic desert scenes, mechanical bulls, lots of sombreros, and leather and silver accessories. It also features a full woman band performing the mariachi instrumentals on a stage with the duo. Both Nodal and Estevie’s energy, vocals, and performances complement each other, but there’s something special about seeing the up-and-comer earn her biggest hit collaborating with an artist who’s as creatively adventurous as she is. We can’t wait to see what these two cook up in the coming year. – Rosy Alvarez
Credits
Written By: Christian Nodal and Sarah Silva, aka Estevie
Produced By: Emilio Estefan Jr, Lucas Otrero, Edgar Herrera, and Frank Rio
Record Label: Sony Music Entertainment México
4
Ivan Cornejo - “Mirada”
Witnessing the change in someone’s once-loving gaze once they’ve fallen out of love with you is a gutting feeling, but it was the core of breakout star Ivan Cornejo’s most recent album Mirada, and its gorgeous title track. “Mirada” is both euphoric and gloomy, and evinces his love for alternative rock and traditional regional ballads. Spanish guitar intertwines with ambient, washed-out chords in what is easily one of the reigning prince of sad sierreño’s best-written songs to date, as he illustrates the story of two lovers who have grown distant, despite him knowing the heartbreak would be inevitable: “Si me vas a matar no lo hagas tan despacio… Siempre estuvo en tu plan/De quebrarme el corazón” – Nayeli Portillo
Credits
Written By: Arath Herce, Francisco Rios III, Ivan Cornejo, and Sara Schell
Produced By: Frank Rio, and Ivan Cornejo
Record Label: Interscope Records
5
Peso Pluma, Neton Vega - “La Patrulla”
You can’t fault Peso Pluma for his ambition. Back in June, the corridos superstar unveiled his latest full-length, ÉXODO, a 24-track epic stacked with cross-genre collaborators, including Cardi B, Arcángel, and DJ Snake. But Hassan Kabande Laija will always be at his best on his home turf of música mexicana, and breakout single “La Patrulla,” alongside newcomer Neton Vega, perfectly encapsulated why la Doble P has grown into a global phenomenon. Contrasting outlaw imagery of trocas and kingpin role models with Vega’s searing romantic hook, Peso Pluma delivered yet another classic of the pop corridos age. – Richard Villegas
Credits
Written By: Luis Ernesto Vega Carvajal
Produced By: Hassan Emilio Kabandel Laija, Jesus Ivan Leal “Parka,” and Ernesto Fernandez
Record Label: Double P Records
6
Majo Aguilar, Alex Fernández - "Cuéntame"
Two of Mexico’s finest musical dynasties – the Aguilars and the Fernández – teamed up for a hard-hitting ranchera that shows its respective kins’ ongoing vocal richness. Penned by Aguilar, the heartbreak track’s production features traditional música mexicana elements such as trumpets, guiatarrón, and a violin, staying true to their roots. It also reminds us of their famous ancestors: Aguilar echoes her grandmother Flor Silvestre’s passionate vocals, and Fernández mirrors his father’s baritone croons. With “Cuéntame,” the duo proves how powerful one collaboration between two incredible families can be, making it one of this year’s best música mexicana songs. – Jeanette Hernandez
Credits
Written By: Majo Aguilar
Produced By: Fabián Rincón and Francisco Javier Ramírez López
Record Label: Universal Music Mexico
7
Natanael Cano, Óscar Maydon - “Madonna”
If Lady Gaga was the muse of corridos tumbados in 2023 through Peso Pluma’s homonymous hit, Natanael Cano and Óscar Maydon pay tribute to Madonna in 2024 (even though Gaga gets a shout-out as well). The melodramatic track shows the two artists singing about their infatuation with a woman who resembles the American pop icon in her sense of style and her prowess to act like a material girl (“How many Rolex do I have to buy you [to get] one little kiss and nothing more?”). Come for the references, stay for everything else: Cano and Maydon’s screeching voices add a dramatic feel to the pop-anchored melodies and chords, and the instrumentals of “Madonna” are just pure passion, too. – Ana Clara Ribeiro
Credits
Written By: Alexis Fierro, Nathanael Cano Monge, and Óscar Maydon
Produced By: Andres Farias, Joel Nuñez, Marcelo Rivera Levy, Nathanael Cano, and Óscar Maydon
Record Label: WEA Latina
8
Adriel Favela, Código FN - "VICE CITY”
Adriel Favela and Código FN already know they can make a hit. Five years after releasing their first collaborative corrido sensation “Miami Vibe,” the two regional artists linked up once again to produce “VICE CITY.” It carries the essence of traditional corridos while infusing elements of modern reinvention – in this case, an intriguing mixture of very rock-textured drums – for an innovative take on tradition that underscores their place in the current wave of reinvigorated música mexicana. Favela and Código FN frontman Tito León take turns flowing through the choruses to detail the very corrido-core themes of their lavish and luxurious lifestyles, from high-end cars, designer clothes, and expensive vices. The visuals follow suit, highlighting the grandiose life they now get to experience because of their high successes in the genre. Attesting to his rising star power, Favela showcased the song during a highly anticipated and well-received set during this year’s edition of ARRE Festival in Mexico City. – Jeanette Diaz
Credits
Written By: Adriel Favela, Andres Enrique Lara Moreno, Enrique Blas Murrieta, Jaziel Aviles Piña, and Jose Ernesto León Cuen
Produced By: Adriel Favela, L Prince, Daniel Valenzuela, and Ernesto León
Record Label: UMLE – Fonovisa
9
Delilah - “Entre La Maleza”
In just a few years, 16-year-old Washington-based singer Delilah Cabrera went from playing in her middle school’s mariachi band program to opening for música mexicana star Ivan Cornejo and signing to corridos tumbados icon Natanael Cano’s new label Los CT. Delilah’s “Entre La Maleza” is a rare example of when an emerging artist’s music actually lives up to the hype. It’s not just a viral hit but a pop-inspired gem packed with heartfelt vocals and an incredibly catchy, feel-good chorus that perfectly sums up how it’s sometimes better to just sit in your feelings than take unsolicited advice on how to deal with them or drown them out with vapid distractions because you know at some point, everything will turn around: “Traigo la lluvia/Deja que fluya/Que aunque el corazón a mi me pesa/Florece entre la maleza/Porque se que esta tristeza pronto pasará.” – Nayeli Portillo
Credits
Written By: Delilah Rose Cabrera, Leroy Sanchez, Lucas Santos, and Luis Salazar
Produced By: Delilah Rose Cabrera, Luis Salazar Lucas Santos, and J Frank
Record Label: Los CT Records
10
Edén Muñoz - "Mezcal de Calzón"
Edén Muñoz is the backbone of today’s música mexicana scene. After stepping away from Calibre 50, the Mexican artist has enjoyed a career both as a singer and a songwriter of other artists’ hits. This year, he released his second solo album, the self-titled Eden. The singer-songwriter pushed música mexicana to new and exciting places with the feel-good song “Mezcal de Calzón,” blending elements of norteño with the spirit of rock reminiscent of Ritchie Valens’ classic “La Bamba.” While ready to get the party started, Muñoz also sang about a woman who was driving him wild. Muñoz has emerged as a true rock star in música mexicana. — Lucas Villa
Credits
Written By: Edén Muñoz
Produced By: Edén Muñoz
Record Label: EMC Music / Sony Music Mexico
