Mexican singer-songwriter Peso Pluma has canceled his upcoming show in Tijuana, Mexico, following safety concerns and threats from a drug cartel. The 24-year-old artist, who gained international recognition earlier this year, had already postponed several concerts in the United States for later this fall.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Peso Pluma expressed his commitment to protecting his fans and team, stating, “For the safety of everyone involved, we will cancel our show in Tijuana.” The decision came after three banners containing threats were spotted in different areas of the border city. The banners, known as narcomantas, were signed with the initials of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a rival of the Sinaloa Cartel, led by infamous drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera, also known as “El Chapo.”
Authorities have detained one person in connection with the threats and are currently investigating the incident. Narcomantas have been used by organized crime groups in Mexico as a form of public messaging for over a decade, often targeting authorities, rivals, or the general public.
Peso Pluma, whose real name is Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, has played a significant role in the rise of regional Mexican music on an international scale. The singer’s album “Génesis” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Chart upon its release in June and has accumulated hundreds of millions of digital streams. He is known for his modern take on narcorridos, a genre that tells stories of the Mexican drug trade and blends regional Mexican styles with influences from American and Latin rap.
Although the risks faced by Mexican musicians performing in Mexico have decreased in recent years, Tijuana remains a city where artists are routinely threatened. Juan Carlos Ramírez-Pimienta, a professor at San Diego State University, explains that the cancellation of Peso Pluma’s show marks the second time this year he has had to cancel a performance in the city. In February, a concert featuring Peso Pluma and other Mexican artists was also canceled due to “insecurity and threats towards other events,” according to the organizer.
The dangers faced by artists in the regional Mexican music scene are all too familiar in Mexico, with drug cartels suspected of ordering the killings of musicians such as Valentin Elizalde and Chalino Sanchez in the past. Peso Pluma’s international stardom has brought newfound attention to these dangers and shed light on the ongoing risks faced by performers in the genre.
As Peso Pluma’s U.S. tour is set to resume on September 30 in Chula Vista, California, fans remain hopeful that the artist will continue to prioritize safety while continuing to share his music with the world.