“I took it as an opportunity to show the world what I had,” Peso Pluma told the New York Times after his massive performance at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023.
Fast forward to 2025, and the undisputed king of corridos tumbados remains at the top after championing the 32nd edition of the BMI Latin Awards held in the Coastal Convention Center in Miami earlier this week (March 2025).
Recognized for his “undeniable influence on música mexicana, and his revolutionary sound that has resonated with millions of fans worldwide,” the 25-year-old Mexican artist brought home several accolades that night.
Image source: Google
Grateful for the back-to-back achievements, Pluma thanked his fans for supporting the “huge movement in música mexicana,” expressing heartfelt thanks to his family and friends.
If you’re reading this post, you’ve probably heard of the news and are curious for more fascinating tidbits about the Mexican hitmaker.
Below, I’ll share everything you should know about the “Ella Baila Sola” singer. Read and explore Peso Pluma’s real name, early life, career history, net worth, popular works, and more!
What Is Peso Pluma’s Real Name?
Peso Pluma was born on June 15, 1999 in Guadalajara, the capital of the western state of Jalisco in Mexico, per the Rolling Stones. Born from parents Hassan Kabande and Rubi Laija, his real name is Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, “Hassan” being a common name in Arab cultures.
Peso Pluma is undoubtedly one of the biggest artist names that came out of the United Mexican States in the last decade. But you may wonder where he got his unique stage name, Peso Pluma, and what it meant for the singer?
You may find it surprising, but the name, Peso Pluma, doesn’t have anything to do with his music at all. Instead, he came up with the name out of his passion for Mexico’s beloved boxing sports.
In one interview, Pluma revealed the reasons for his chosen stage name.
Image source: Google
First off, Peso Pluma is simply Spanish for “featherweight.” And according to the Mexican singer, he once met the former featherweight champion, Marco Antonio Barrera at a private gathering.
“We were playing on a private party,” the “La Bebe” singer told Billboard. “We met Marco Antonio Barrera…and we knew from that moment it was destiny.”
“We decided to stick with the name, and that’s how people started to know us,” Pluma further explained in a podcast with popular Mexican YouTuber, Julio Orozco.
Another reason he chose “featherweight” as a stage name besides adoring the iconic boxer is his group’s appearance when they were just starting.
“There were three of us from the beginning, and we were all skinny (like featherweight boxers), ” the singer-songwriter said, referring to his friends and cousin, Roberto Laija, who penned some of his songs. “I don’t play any sports, but the name stuck.”
Peso Pluma Biography
The talented skinny boy from Jalisco has certainly gone up in the world. From an obscure artist who performed for pocket change to winning a Grammy and the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Let’s explore the humble beginnings of “La Doble P” and the events that led to his becoming a global sensation.
Early Life
Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, aka Peso Pluma, is of mixed heritage. His father, Hassan Kabande, is a Lebanese-Mexican, while her mother, Rubi Laija, came from Sinaloa. So, if you’re wondering why he has a non-traditional Mexican name, there’s the reason.
Although raised in the outskirts of Guadalajara, where his father grew up, his family spent some time in Sinaloa, where his mother came from and where he found his passion for music. In an interview with Complex, the singer admitted being torn between his parents’ hometowns.
Music was a constant for Pluma growing up. He also taught himself how to play the guitar by watching YouTube videos. However, as surprising as it sounds, he didn’t initially dream of becoming a singer.
Influenced by his soccer-loving father, the future Grammy-winning rapper wanted to be a professional soccer player.
“[I] used to go to the stadium with my dad to watch my favorite team,” the singer told Corona and Billboard. As a fan of the Atlas F.C. team in Guadalajara, he often butted heads with his father who supported another local lineup.
When he was a teen, Pluma’s family briefly relocated to San Antonio, California, where he attended Clemens High School and Corbett Junior High School. The “Bellakeo” vocalist also lived in New York for a time, before moving back to Mexico when he was 20.
Image source: Google
His time in the U.S. greatly influenced his taste in music, though. Despite growing up on Mexican music, Pluma developed a taste for hip-hop.
“My favorite genres have always been reggaeton and hip-hop,” the “Lady Gaga” vocalist shared to the New York Times. “That’s why I don’t wear the sombreros. I don’t wear the boots.”
Foray Into the Music Industry
The Mexican singer’s musical success started after moving to Culiacán. There, he met his maternal cousin, “Tito Double P,” whose real name is Jesús Roberto Laija García, a singer and songwriter.
Despite not knowing each other well growing up, Pluma and Tito bonded and began collaborating. The two started making music and have been doing it together ever since.
In one of his interviews, Pluma described Tito as his “musical support,” showcasing Tito’s role in shaping the singer we know and love today.
“He was doing it more as a hobby,” Pluma said, describing his and Tito’s relationship with music when they were younger. “I was doing it more to earn a buck because that’s how I’d eat. I didn’t have another job.”
Image source: Instagram
During their collaborations, Tito one day sent Pluma some samples of the several songs the former had been working on. One of the samples became one of Peso Pluma’s first hits, “El Belicón.”
In 2023, Tito launched his record label, Double P Records, and was behind Peso Pluma’s Éxodo album in 2024. Now following his cousin, he has been pursuing his career in the industry and has since successfully released over 100 songs.
Peso Pluma and Tito Double P recently received massive recognition by simultaneously earning the BMI Champion Award and the BMI Impact Award, respectively—the two cousins making waves on the world stage.
What Made Peso Pluma Popular?
Pluma rose to the top at breakneck speed—so fast that some can only wonder what made the young Mexican artist so appealing to the listeners.
As a songwriter, some of his songs lean toward romance, sometimes toward narcocorridos. But what propelled the young star to success was when he duetted with Eslabon Armado and made the song “Ella Baila Sola” in 2023.
At its debut, the song about two friends talking about a pretty girl immediately reached number three on the Billboard Global 200, which later topped the chart. It became the first Mexican song to enter the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching over 24 million streams.
Peso Pluma has also been consistently dominating Spotify’s top 50 charts for three years in a row. His song was streamed over 14 billion times by June 2024, per the Spotify website. To date, he reigns as the most-streamed Mexican artist.
Since the hit song, the Jalisco-born singer has been nominated and won multiple accolades, including two Grammys, three People Choice Awards, six iHeartRadio Music Awards, and many more.
“It was really amazing seeing those people just screaming my name,” the “Rubicon” singer told The Chart Show with Brooke Reese. “It wasn’t like little people, too few people. It was a lot of people and I was shocked.”
How Much Is Peso Pluma Worth In 2025?
As a rising star making massive waves in the music industry, fans of Peso Pluma often get curious about his earnings and wealth. So, how much is the king of corridos tumbados worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Peso Pluma’s current net worth sits impressively at $20 million. His primary source of income comes from his music sales, streaming revenue, and live concerts.
FAQs
What is corridos tumbados?
Corridos tumbados, Peso Pluma’s music style, is a subgenre of traditional Mexican ballad music mixed with urban music, such as reggaeton and trap. It’s a fast-growing musical genre and especially popular with younger audiences.
Who is Peso Pluma’s girlfriend now?
Image source: Google
The Mexican singer-songwriter recently dated Hanna Powell, a model and influencer with tens of thousands of followers online. However, the couple broke up in September last year (2024) after only three months of dating.
Final Thoughts
Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, most famously known as Peso Pluma, has been the talk of the town for a while now. With tens of millions of people listening to his tune every month, it’s rather amazing to think that he only started in 2020.
From an artist who earned pocket change by performing to becoming one of the most popular acts on the planet, the skinny boy who grew up on the outskirts of Guadalajara has certainly made a name for himself.
