Corridos Tumbados

Corridos tumbados (), also known as trap corridos, is a subgenre of regional Mexican music, specifically of a corrido, with musical elements of a narcocorrido and rap music. Its style originated in the late-2010s; starting in 2020, it was popularized by Mexican musician Natanael Cano. The subgenre later received international recognition in early 2023 through songs released by Mexican musician Peso Pluma, as well as other artists such as Junior H and musical groups such as Fuerza Regida.

Origins and Development

Corridos tumbados emerged in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, particularly in states like Sinaloa, Sonora, and Jalisco, as well as among Mexican-American communities in Los Angeles. While drawing from the narrative tradition of classic corridos—songs that once glorified revolutionaries and rural outlaws—this new wave modernized the sound by integrating urban beats, trap flows, auto-tuned vocals, and streetwise lyricism.

The genre name was first popularized by Natanael Cano, who released his 2019 breakout album titled ''Corridos Tumbados'', effectively branding the hybrid style and giving the genre its notable namesake. The term “Tumbado” can roughly translate to “laid-back”, a reference to the downtempo and often more relaxed tone of the music. However, in a broader musical sense, “tumbado” operates similarly to the term ''“alternative”'' in genres like rock or R&B, signaling a departure from traditional styles in favor of experimental or unconventional driven variations.

A pivotal institution in the genre’s rise was Rancho Humilde, an independent Los Angeles-based record label founded by Jimmy Humilde. The label signed foundational artists such as Cano, Fuerza Regida, Junior H, and Ovi, and helped craft a sound and image that blended corrido authenticity with trap-era aesthetics. Rancho Humilde also played a central role in promoting corridos tumbados through digital platforms and social media, enabling the genre to grow virally.

Influences

Traditional Corridos – Especially in the use of the traditional Norteño music instruments, like the acoustic guitar "requinto" style, bajo sexto and the Tololoche, a traditional Mexican instrument similar to the Double Bass, but smaller and generally tuned higher.

Narcocorridos – Corridos that narrate the lives of drug traffickers or cartel figures, heavily influencing lyrical themes in the tumbados era. "Corridos Progresivos", a sub-genre of the late 2000s and early 2010s, can be seen as a precursor to the style.

Banda Music - A brass-based genre popular in Sinaloa and Sonora, which inspired the use of instruments like the tuba, trombone and the alto horn (known as the "charcheta" in Mexico) in the genre.

Trap and Hip-Hop – Beats, flows, and themes borrowed from U.S. street rap and trap, including motifs of hustle, fame, and violence.

American street culture – Tattoos, streetwear, and a more urban-inspired swagger.

Reggaeton and Latin Urban – Melodic hooks and crossover rhythm structures.

Notable Artists

Natanael Cano – The genre’s originator and early face, blending requinto guitars with trap-infused vocal delivery.

Junior H – Known for his introspective lyricism and emotional ballads that helped expand the genre's range.

Peso Pluma – Currently the most commercially successful artist in the genre, known for international hits and a dynamic style balancing street content with pop appeal.

Fuerza Regida - A band pushing a harder, more aggressive style of corridos tumbados, frequently collaborating with peers from the genre.

Popularity

As of 2025, corridos tumbados dominate on digital streaming site like Spotify.

Peso Pluma leads the genre with 42.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, placing him among the top Latin artists globally.

Fuerza Regida maintains over 32.6 million monthly listeners.

Natanael Cano continues strong with 23.2 million monthly listeners.

The genre commands over 77% of all Música Mexicana streams on Spotify, with curated playlists and viral hits consistently trending on the platform. On YouTube, artists like Peso Pluma regularly reach over 100 million views per video, with songs like "La Bebe" reaching 1 billion views and “Ella Baila Sola” with nearly 700 million views.

Controversies

Cartel Affiliation and “Apología del Crimen”

Many corridos tumbados feature lyrics that reference real-life figures in organized crime, including tributes, eulogies, or glorification of cartel leaders. These are frequently criticized as “apología del delito”—apologizing for or promoting crime—by government officials and critics.

Threats from Rival Cartels

The content has made some artists the target of cartel threats:

Peso Pluma was threatened by the (CJNG) Jalisco New Generation Cartel in 2023 for lyrics referencing Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán's family and the Sinaloa Cartel. A concert in Tijuana was canceled after narcomantas (threat banners) were displayed.

Fuerza Regida received similar threats and warnings from CJNG-affiliated sources for similar reasons, leading to security concerns and an event cancellation also in the city of Tijuana.

Bans and Censorship

In Mexico

Recently, multiple Mexican states have implemented bans or restrictions on the performance of corridos that glorify organized crime, with 10 (out of 32) states in Mexico banning the music. These states include Baja California, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Aguascalientes, Querétaro, and the Estado de México.

In Texcoco, State of Mexico, singer Luis R. Conriquez was prohibited from singing narcocorridos during the 2025 Feria del Caballo. His refusal to perform these songs led to violent backlash from the audience, who rioted and forced the band to flee the stage.

U.S. Visa Revocations

After Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco, a traditional narcocorridos group, projected an image of CJNG leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera during a concert in Jalisco, the U.S. State Department revoked their visas in 2025. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau condemned the act and announced that the United States would not welcome performers "who extol criminals and terrorists".

This move marked the beginning of a broader policy aimed at scrutinizing all artists associated with cartel-linked themes, including many corridos tumbados performers based in Mexico. Reports have since surfaced of increased visa denials and travel restrictions for Mexican artists whose lyrics or visuals could be interpreted as promoting or legitimizing criminal elements.

Other International Bans

In Chile, artists such as Peso Pluma have faced mounting pressure from politicians seeking to ban performances that glorify cartel culture—pressure that ultimately led to his withdrawal from th
Viña Del Mar Festival

References

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2010s in Latin music
Regional styles of Mexican music
2020s in Latin music