Music

Following the epic team-up between Peso and Castro, when they released “Quema” last year, the pair stick to what worked for them and join forces again for another cheeky reggaetón record powered by a hypnotizing, hip-swiveling drum beat. While “Quema” is probably the better of the two, “Mala” has potential to gain momentum. 

With a few spritzes of Santal 33 eau de parfum, Hassan sets the mood and starts singing in French. In this slightly bilingual track, Oscar Maydon and Peso exchange verses that celebrate the high life — sipping champagne, mastering the art of seduction and embracing their badass personas. While it may not be the standout song of the album, it offers a delightful dose of entertainment.

With this song, Peso Pluma doubles down on his effort to conquer the hip-hop world on his own terms. “Pa No Pensar” allows Peso to add his own twist, incorporating guitars early in the song — with Quavo singing in Spanish, “Drinking to not think, pills to forget, smoking like it’s a ritual,” before the hip-hop bass takes over.  

On their first collaboration, Street Mob Records’ artist Chino Pacas and Peso join forces to spit game at a certain “mami.” The track is undeniably catchy, featuring fiery conviction, flirty wordplay and an energizing horn section. While it may not delve deeply into the album’s overarching theme, it keeps the momentum going.

Peso and Luis R Conriquez are frequent collaborators, and in “Sr. Smith,” they stick to the corridos bélicos style that’s worked for both. Complementing each other’s raspy vocals, Peso and Conrqiuez sing about the grind and hustle that leads to a lush lifestyle, over charchetas and requintos.   

The pensive corridos track presents a dialogue between Hassan and God, as the singer navigates through his turbulent thoughts while reassuring himself of eventual peace. 14-14, angel numbers, are believed to be messages from celestial beings. Peso croons, “The rosary under my shirt, no matter what happens, the Lord will forgive me,” embedding a sense of hope amidst despair. The song culminates with suspenseful, organ-like keys accompanied by the echoing sound of gunfire, leaving listeners pondering.

Peso Pluma can also shine solo — and in “Solicitado,” which loosely translates to sought after, he takes a more chill approach with this stripped-down, guitar-led ballad. Here, Peso gets personal, reflecting on just how much his lifestyle has changed since he catapulted to stardom. “I spend my time working, smoking a blunt … Instagram is blowing up but I’m not going to respond/ I’m more solicited now that I handle the money,” he sings.

Teaming up with longtime collaborator and fellow Guadalajara native Jasiel Nuñez (“Rosa Pastel,” “Lagunas,” “Bipolar”), the duo light up the album’s second track, “Me Activo.” The song erupts with a dynamic-yet-smooth requinto riff that resonates through its three-minute run, while they sing about capturing the essence of ramping up to conquer challenges. This song is all about igniting the fire within to keep excelling.

When Peso and his cousin, Tito Double P — who has written on almost all his hits — work together, it’s almost guaranteed that they will deliver something that raises the bar. “Belanova” follows their wildly successful “La People II,” which scored Tito his first ever Billboard Hot 100 entry as a credited artist. This corrido bélico also places all bets on that in-your-face approach of delivery, with Tito and Peso letting their raspy and raw vocals take center stage.  

By the final track of the album, Peso Pluma has decisively showcased his genre versatility. Navigating corridos bélicos, slick trap and reggaetón beats, he ventures into EDM with the help of DJ Snake. Peso, in fact, debuted “Teka” during his Coachella set, and brought out the renowned French DJ/producer on stage as a surprise guest. The song’s earwormy hook, “Va a romper la discoteca-teca-teca-teca-teca,” (a reference to Farruko’s 2011 reggaetón hit “Pa´Romper la Discoteca,” featuring Daddy Yankee and Yomo) ensures it’s an anthem, poised to reverberate across dance floors everywhere.

Just as much as Peso collaborates with mega stars on this new album, he also taps the new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers, including Neton Vega. “La Patrulla” is a laid-back, head-bobbing corrido that incorporates prickly guitars and wailing trombones as the pair sing about enjoying the fruits of labor.  

Entertainment has consistently spotlighted famous ‘It’ couples who have since parted ways: Christian Nodal and Cazzu, Rauw Alejandro and Rosalía, Mariah Carey and Luis Miguel. Yet, the quintessential duo of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson remains iconic. In this lively reggaetón track, Peso Pluma and Mexican singer Kenia Os channel the dynamic energy of these past celebrity romances onto the dance floor. They exchange flirtatious verses about their tantalizing, forbidden encounters, reminiscent of the vibrant and scandalous glory days of Hollywood’s most talked-about relationships.

Still riding high from last year’s success, Peso Pluma kept the momentum going with “Rompe La Dompe,” a celebratory song that finds him and Junior H and Oscar Maydon popping the champagne, and not just any champagne. Powered by guitars and trumpets, the braggadocious corrido finds the three friends on a wild night out drinking Dom Pérignon, a nod to Peso and Junior H’s previously released song, “Lady Gaga” with Gabito Ballesteros, where they first reference the champagne brand.  

Historically, Hollywood has been the epitome of fame and excess. An ode to Tinseltown, this song — originally released in 2020 by Rancho Humilde’s Estevan Plazola, who also features in this remake, captures the allure and pitfalls of stardom with poetic precision. Lyrics like “Vivo muy aprisa la vida de artista, drogas y mujeres, otra más para la lista/ Y en el ambiente con figuras grandes, citas importantes,” depict the fast-paced-yet-hedonistic lifestyle of the entertainment industry. But it also explores the inevitable legal entanglements that accompany reaching such success. 

Like almost all of Anitta’s songs, “Bellakeo” is powered by a hypnotic reggaetón drum beat that instantly lures you in. Even if the lyrics aren’t as profound, the earworm chorus “todas las noches bellakeo, bellakeo, bellakeo” that both Anitta and Peso repeat on loop are enough to make you want to have this song on repeat. Peso and Anitta’s first team-up, the catchy song peaked at No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs.   

Unbeknownst to some, corridos bélicos and gangster rap share a lot of common ground, braggadocious lyrics and supreme confidence, and “Ice” proves it. The track notably opens with a famous quote from American professional wrestler Ric Flair: “You’re talking to the Rolex-wearing, diamond-ring-wearing, kiss-stealing, wheelin, dealin’, limousine-tiding, jet-flying son of a gun. And I’m having a hard time holding these alligators down!” Emblematic of opulence, this quote has resonated in the hip-hop community, known as the “Ric Flair drip.”

In an about face, Peso Pluma goes full trap on “Gimme a Second,” with Rich the Kid. While it’s no secret that Peso’s musical palette is deeply influenced by rappers like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, “Gimme” cements Peso as the versatile artist he has touted to be. The bass-heavy track, with a rags-to-riches theme, allows Peso to ride the beat with his rapid-fire verse toward the end of the song.   

Crowned Billboard’s Rookie of the Year last December, Peso Pluma carved his reign as the king of modern corridos bélicos — however, he’s proving his prowess in Latin trap, as exemplified in “Peso Pesado.” A collaboration with urbano royalty Arcángel, the song is a sly banger that hits hard, where both artists assert the lavish lifestyles they’ve crafted. This fusion of talent and style further underscores Peso’s versatility. 

Perhaps one of the best songs on the album, which is why it’s in our top 10, this spellbinding song is a quintessential Mexican rap song with brassy horns blaring throughout. It’s the first time Cardi B and Peso have collaborated, but it’s as if the two have recorded together a few times prior. The way they complement each other with each verse is truly impressive. Of course, both Cardi and Peso are exceptional rappers, but this pairing is chef’s kiss, as they take turns rapping with a riveting cadence in English and Spanish about their journey to the summit.  

Peso Pluma has made it known that he’s a big fan of superheroes. For one, his diamond-encrusted Spider-Man chain and his web-decorated microphone attest to this — not to mention his mask. Dedicating a song to Bruce Wayne, the alter ego of Batman and a famed comic book rival to Spider-Man, fits perfectly with his persona. In this reflective track, Peso draws parallels between his past anonymity and the discreet lives of superheroes like Wayne and Peter Parker. He reminisces about simpler times when he could walk outside, away from the frenzy of celebrity life. Yet, he embraces his current lifestyle with a touch of swagger, boasting, “no tengo estilista pero qué chingón me visto,” highlighting his sharp sense of style despite the chaos.

While still within the regional Mexican family, Ivan Cornejo and Peso Pluma’s styles are completely different; Peso’s music is mainly powered by brass instruments, while Cornejo has crafted a guitar-heavy signature sound. Yet, in their first collaborative effort, the artists manage to come in the middle without sacrificing either of their styles. The ballad-like corrido tumbado is a gorgeous track, which finds Peso and Cornejo singing emotively about heartbreak. 

Backed by a ferocious corridos band, consisting of a turbulent tololoche, blaring horns, and frenetic guitar riffs, hooks listeners right from the get-go, opening the song with oscillating synths riffs that seem to come from outer space. Then, power trio Peso, Natanael Cano and Gabito Ballesteros deliver lines about getting “activated,” with one of their favorite remedies, vino tinto. “Red wine to cure wounds … My mind is on fire,” spits Peso against the menacing Mexican music backdrop. Meanwhile, Cano and Ballesteros add fuel to the flame with equally passionate verses. 

A holy trinity of sorts, “La Durango” stands as a testament to the power of collaborations bringing together Mexican music powerhouses Peso, Junior H and Eslabon Armado. For Peso, collabs with Junior H and Eslabon have yielded runaway hits: “El Azul” and “Ella Baila Sola,” respectively. So, teaming up once again seemed like a no brainer — and the result is one of the best songs on the album. In “La Durango,” which thrives off Peso’s signature charchetas and trombone-powered sound, the artists trace their journey to success and the luxurious lifestyle that follows. 

Despite the looming shadow of the Mexican mafia and the peril of death threats, Peso Pluma and Tito Doble P intensify their gripping narrative in “La People,” from Génesis, which tells the tale about the daring escape of a notorious cartel figure. The saga continues with “La People II,” where the narrative escalates to an all-out exodus, capturing the intense power struggle between the cartel and authorities. Adding to the dynamic, Joel de la P joins the duo — and together, the trio delivers electrifying lyrical references that dive deep into the tumultuous existence of the controversial figure, El Nini, rumored to be the chief of security for Los Chapitos.

The track transcends mere storytelling; it pulsates with raw conviction and undeniable ferocity. Peso, Tito and Joel don’t just sing — they bark. This powerful delivery is what sets “La People II” apart, earning its rightful place as our top track in the album.