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Junior H’s Coachella set proved he can be a ‘sad boy’ and a trap corrido pioneer

BBG News

Just an hour prior to Junior H’s debut on the Coachella Music and Arts Festival’s primary stage, a throng of managers, musicians, and record company executives gathered at the entrance of his artist trailer.

In the sea of faces, there was Jimmy Humble, the CEO of Rancho Humble Records, who later signed the singer, whose “No Eh Cambiado” track, a vigorous anthem backed by the requinto, gained widespread popularity on YouTube.

Originally known as Antonio Herrera Pérez, Junior H was a student residing in Utah at that time. Fast forward nearly seven years, and this 23-year-old artist, who hails from Guanajuato, Mexico, is now among the most recognized figures in the rapidly growing Mexican music scene.

It’s wonderful for us to be here now, standing for Mexico and for all this music we create,” Junior H expressed, moving between Spanish and English. “As an artist like me, my goal is to capture as many listeners as possible. That’s why I’m here – to grab people’s attention.

Junior H and his label mate Natanel Cano are recognized for creating corridos tumbados, a unique style that combines traditional corrido music instrumentation with hip-hop and trap rhythms. Notably, Cano’s 2019 album, “Corridos Tumbados,” extensively showcased Junior H’s talent.

In the world of Mexican music, you’ve got the trap corrido makers who sing about partying and drugs, contrastingly known as “the upbeat crew.” On the other side, there are the melancholic romantics, often referred to as “the heartbroken,” who lament over love or heartache. Interestingly, Junior H finds himself somewhere in between these two distinct groups.

Junior H shared, “I’m comfortable with my identity, although others labeled me ‘the sad boy’ a few years back due to my association with melancholic music. I went along with it because it seemed fitting at the time. As for men, I believe it’s crucial to demonstrate that emotions aren’t something to be ashamed of and we have the freedom to express them as we choose.

Following his Sad Boyz Mania tour in the U.S. last summer, which included two sold-out shows at L.A.’s BMO Stadium, Junior H was listed as the second main act on Coachella’s Day 3 lineup this year. His name was placed between electronic DJ Zedd and K-pop star Jennie, making him one of three Mexican music performers playing the entire festival. Alongside him were fellow sad boy artist Ivan Cornejo and rising reggaetón act El Malilla.

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Among the unforgettable moments experienced by our team during Coachella’s opening weekend were Lady Gaga’s rock opera performance, guest appearances by Brian May from Queen, and Bernie Sanders making an unexpected appearance.

2018 marked the beginning of featuring Mexican music artists in our festival lineups, with the iconic cumbia group Los Angeles Azules taking center stage at our three-day event. As the worldwide fascination with this genre has escalated, Goldenvoice, the masterminds behind Coachella, have since invited acts like Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Grupo Firme, Banda MS, and Cano to perform. Last year’s event showcased Peso Pluma, Carin León, and Santa Fe Klan on our stages. I can’t wait to see who joins us this year!

During Peso Pluma’s performance, Junior H stepped onto the desert stage for the first time as a special guest, singing “El Azul,” a narcocorrido rumored to be about a Sinaloan drug lord. Now with his own 50-minute slot, Junior H expressed his enthusiasm about having the opportunity to reciprocate Pluma’s kindness and showcase his distinctive “sad boy” style in the limelight.

Junior H stated, “You realize, it’s not a chance for him since he was the pioneer who paved the way for us in the first place. It’s truly a stunning bond among artists, and even more so between friends like us, who put in tremendous effort to uplift this genre, and then get the honor to perform on stages such as this one.

On Sunday evening, as the start time stretched overhead, Junior H switched his casual pink jersey for a sharp, all-white ensemble, standing out against his band’s all-black attire. Inside the dimly lit trailer, journalists, friends, and VIP fans took turns capturing his sought-after spotlight. The soft-spoken singer remained calm and seemed at ease. Meanwhile, outside, the tololoche player fine-tuned his instruments as the guitarists huddled together in a corner to practice chords, and the horn players experimented with a few trial notes – all while occasionally sipping on Clase Azul Tequila. As they prepared to take the stage, they moved as a tight group, with Junior H almost blending into the crowd.

On the stage, Junior H assumed the position of a maestro coordinating 25 musicians who accompanied him. The large number of performers resulted in a stunning performance, with each band of instrumentalists situated on varying platforms. An unusual aspect of this ensemble was that one member’s role was to serve tequila shots to the musicians and hold Junior H’s red solo cup, contributing to a lively party ambiance both on stage and among the audience. As Mexican music sensation Junior H crooned the emotional lyrics of “Y Lloro” and the horns from “Rockstar” echoed throughout the symphony, he dominated the catwalk and hit every note with power from his deepest lungs.

The Marias are set to make their third appearance at Coachella. Most of the featured Latin artists, though, are gracing the festival stage for the very first time.

During the entire performance, he repeatedly cheered for Mexico and motivated the audience to chant along. Near the closing of his act, he welcomed Peso Pluma to perform “Luna”, and then invited Tito Double P onto the stage to collaborate with him on “5-7”.

Many fans and critics anticipated a diverse playlist from the creator of corridos tumbados, given his decision to omit several of his well-known corridos like the latest “El Chore” and an early favorite, “El Hijo Mayor.” This led to discussions online about the absence of these songs, particularly after Los Alegres del Barranco’s U.S. visas were canceled due to displaying an image of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes during a performance. However, Junior H revealed his intention was to emphasize his “Sad Boy” musical style instead.

[Sad Boyz 4 Life II] holds significant value in my professional journey. Our intention has been to demonstrate and express our capabilities to the public, proving that we’re not confined to one genre. We strive to create music that transcends traditional boundaries – it doesn’t have to be gritty or street-related. Instead, we aim to produce music that is as beautiful and poetic as it is meaningful. Our objective is to showcase our versatility, proving that we’re not limited to a single type of music.” (Apologies for any potential adjustments in tone.)

The U.S. government revoked the visas of the Mexican folk band Los Alegres del Barranco following their performance that included depictions of a Mexican cartel chief.

Just before leaving the stage, an enormous Mexican flag was shown on the largest screen. The powerful guitar chords of “Disfruto Lo Malo,” a collaboration with Cano, caused a thunderous cheer from the audience. Junior H completed one last circuit around the massive stage, looking into every ecstatic fan’s eyes and acknowledging his musical heritage.

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2025-04-20 03:01

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