Restrictions on Corrido Artists Lead Gabito Ballesteros to Experiment With Other Genres, But ‘No One Is Censoring Us’

Gabito Ballesteros is one of the young stars to emerge from the corridos tumbados movement. Collaborations with peers such as Peso Pluma (“Lady Gaga”), Natanael Cano (“Perlas Negras”), Luis R Conriquez (“Presidente”) and Netón Vega (“Wiscachos”) have made him a key figure in the new wave of regional Mexican music. But the genre has recently faced restrictions and bans in several Mexican states for songs that glorify violence.

Beyond the narcocorrido bans in 10 out of Mexico’s 32 states, a few months ago the federal government of Mexico encouraged young artists to promote positive messages through their lyrics and even launched the México Canta contest, whose finalists will be revealed in the coming days.

More from Billboard

“No one is censoring us; there are rules, and we must follow them,” Ballesteros tells Billboard Español in an exclusive interview, referring to the shift in the themes of his songs. “We’ve stopped glorifying certain things, but no one is censoring us.”

“We just changed the way we say things,” he adds. “This has been an opportunity to explore new paths. Now we’ll be doing a bit of everything, even experimenting with new genres like hip-hop, rap, and other surprises. That way, we can reach more places and continue growing our fanbase.”

In his latest album Ya No Se Llevan Serenatas, released this past May, the Sonora native showed a more romantic, softer side, appearing on the cover with an enormous bouquet of red roses. “Sometimes you fall in love, and sometimes you stumble — that’s life,” he says. “I like giving flowers. I do it at my concerts as a rule for some of my fans — unfortunately, not all of them. I like taking the time to give back a little of what they give to us. Thanks to them, our career keeps rising.”

The 26-year-old artist, who has spent much of 2025 touring across Mexico, is now set to perform at some of the most important palenques to close out the year, including one in Guadalajara, where he will appear on Nov. 1 in what represents a major milestone in his career.

“The palenques are my favorite stages because you have so much interaction with the audience, having them so close. You feel the intense vibe when they sing your songs,” he explains, referring to the circular format used in Mexico’s fairs, typically for traditional regional Mexicano music — a style Ballesteros deeply admires. Especially mariachi and banda, genres he grew up listening to at home.

“The traditional will always be present,” he assures, naming Joan Sebastian as one of his idols. “I grew up with that music, and you can’t forget it. It has to stay forever.”

In a few weeks, Gabito Ballesteros will release a deluxe version of Ya No Se Llevan Serenatas. Additionally, he is preparing music specifically for the Colombian market, which he plans to visit later this year. As for new collaborations, he reveals that he has already recorded songs with Danna and Belinda, which will be released as soon as their schedules allow.

Best of Billboard

Sign up for Billboard’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.