Becky G says her decision to explore her Mexican heritage through her albums Esquinas and Encuentros was initially met with skepticism from within the music industry, before the genre experienced its recent surge in popularity.
“There were a few eye rolls too back then when I was like, ‘This is my passion project. I really, really want to do this,’” Becky told will.i.am during a new episode of UPROXX’s Visionaries. “I started it. Eight months later, música mexicana starts bubbling.”
Esquinas was launched in 2023 and centered on the intersection of the singer’s Mexican and American identities. The record debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart and No. 7 on Top Latin Albums, earning 14.1 million on-demand US streams during its first week. She continued exploring those roots with Encuentros in 2024, reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart.
Looking back at how the genre’s popularity grew shortly after she committed to those projects, Becky admitted to feeling some vindication. “I want to say I told you so,” she told will.i.am. “Oh, I do want to say it. But I think some things are destined, you know?”
Becky G’s newest album, Baraja Bendita, arrived August 14th and moves beyond the música mexicana focus of its predecessors. “My proudest part about the album is that it’s genre-less,” she said in the interview, adding that its identity remains clear because “I’m the common thread throughout everything.”
Pick up a physical copy of Becky G’s latest here.
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