The weekend leading up to Mexican Independence Day in Vegas was feverish with celebrations—the highly anticipated fight between Mexican boxing star Canelo Álvarez and American Edgar Berlanga; Sinaloa-born comedian Felipe Esparza did a show at the MGM and the annual Rumbazo Latin music fest took over the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.
But if you were anywhere else on Friday night, you missed the real showstopper—Peso Pluma at T-Mobile Arena. Known for globally re-popularizing corridos tumbados, a reimagined version of a traditional folk genre, and lacing it with trap and hip-hop influences, Peso is among those responsible for the soundtrack of a new generation. Earlier this year, his 2023 album Génesis won a Grammy for Best Mexican Music Album, dominated the charts and made his nasally rasp recognizable to millions around the world. It all goes to show that even before embarking on his Éxodo tour, this featherweight (Peso Pluma in English means featherweight) has proven himself to be today’s hottest Mexican performer.
To many, Peso Pluma has grown into a household name, but on September 16, the Guadalajara-born, Spider-Man-loving 25-year-old's show unveiled more layers to the performer, beginning with the pre-show atmosphere. The arena buzzed with anticipation as modern rap, reggaeton and banda filled the air, setting the tone for what we thought was to come. But just as the lights began to dim, the mood shifted. The chosen track? Black Sabbath’s “N.I.B.” from the band's 1970 self-titled debut album. You think you know a guy until he hits you with something like that.
The two-hour-plus show knew no bounds as the singer, dressed in all black and sporting shades, ran up and down the stage while performing a 35-song setlist. We cried to “Lagunas,” sang along to “Santal 33” and danced from our seats to “Ella Baila Sola.” Fireworks erupted, the stage filled with dancers, and the eight-person banda showed their skills while narco lore came to life, with iconography stitched into every movement.
Peso really couldn’t have done it without the help of his friends. Over time, the artist has gained a reputation for letting other artists crash his shows and on this night, nine people joined him on stage—Luis R Conriquez, Jaisel Nunez, Estevan Plazola, and his cousin Tito Doble P are just a few. The final guest was introduced to the crowd as one of the headliner’s biggest influences and was hilariously referred to as his “viejo,” aka elder: none other than 50 Cent, who came out rapping his song “What Up Gangsta” before jumping into a variety of his hits while Peso nodded along and dapped him up.
And while the evening was chock full of surprises, it was evident that this Mexican superstar is worth all the hype. “Viva Mexico, cabrones!” he shouted, waving a Mexican flag around as the show neared the end, reminding us how the night wasn’t just a concert but a celebration of cultural pride.
