With ‘Eterno,’ Calle 24 is ready to move on from the glitz

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Similar to many other artists in the música mexicana scene, Calle 24 (Diego Millán) often sang about the glamorous, and sometimes wild, lifestyle that comes with being a rock star – things like wealth, fast cars, partying, and relationships.

Since 2020, the singer-songwriter has released several popular songs after signing with Street Mob Records, the independent label created by Fuerza Regida’s Jesús “JOP” Ortiz Paz. One of his biggest hits, “Que Onda,” featuring Chino Pacas and Fuerza Regida, is a catchy song about a wild encounter. It helped launch his career, reaching No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release in August 2023.

The 23-year-old artist, originally from Chihuahua, is moving away from flashy themes in her music, and now focuses on songs that aren’t about wealth and extravagance.

Millan explained over lunch at an upscale restaurant in Glendale that having more money doesn’t necessarily make life easier. He believes that wealth creates additional responsibilities and burdens, as there are more things to maintain and take care of.

Millán’s fourth studio album, “Eterno,” came out in April. Unlike many songs in the genre, it doesn’t rely heavily on horns. Instead, the 15 songs are more raw and personal, exploring themes like the downsides of success (“10 de mayo”), his struggles with mental health (“Si Me Ven”), and painful heartbreak (“Solo”). He also bravely addresses a sensitive and widespread issue in Mexico: the connection between organized crime and everyday life (“El Sentrita”).

You know, Millán told me this album feels like the truest representation of him as an artist yet. He really credits moving back to Mexico with that. He feels like a lot of people don’t get Mexico, and growing up there, and reconnecting with it, has really shaped who he is, and that’s finally coming through in his music.

What struck me most about Mexico, as expressed by someone I spoke with, wasn’t just the beautiful scenery, but the incredible heart of the people. They clearly possess a strong moral compass, deeply held beliefs, and a real understanding of how to connect with and care for one another. It’s a culture built on genuine values and a strong sense of community, and it really shines through.

Many Mexican musicians often feel they need to come to the U.S. to achieve success, but Millán has discovered creative freedom by returning to his home country and through his album, “Eterno.”

“Now, I can be myself,” he said.

The follwing interview was conducted in Spanish, and has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Your album “Solo” explores feelings of being alone in relationships. What made you decide to be so open about that vulnerability on this record?

As a film lover, I always feel stories hit hardest when they feel real. With this particular song, I really wanted to tap into genuine emotion – that raw feeling of regret, that loneliness you get when you admit you’ve messed up. To me, that’s how you truly connect with people. A lot of folks don’t relate to stories about wealth or possessions, so you have to reach them through feeling. I wanted to express that messy truth – that complicated place where you can admit, even to someone you care about, ‘I’ve made mistakes, but my love is real.’

This song feels similar to Joan Sebastian’s “Un Idiota,” where the singer confesses he still has feelings for someone he hurt and acknowledges his mistake.

I had the same goal – to explore what it means to be human. I envisioned people listening while they relax, and then suddenly being overcome with powerful emotions.

The song “Si Me Ven” explores themes of burnout and realizing that money doesn’t necessarily bring happiness. Was this inspired by anything you’ve personally gone through?

This song feels perfectly suited to me. It’s often said that money doesn’t bring happiness, and I’ve found that to be true. I spent five years away from my family, missing out on a lot of important moments.

You recently shared with your Instagram followers that you sometimes feel more like a person than an artist, and that you struggle with questions about purpose and motivation. You mentioned days where you simply don’t want to do anything, or wonder what you’re even working towards. Does your career leave you feeling exhausted?

Becoming a musician has always been my biggest dream, but I honestly had no idea what it would really take. Even now, it’s exhausting – some days I just want to be a normal person, not a performer. I see some artists who seem to live constantly in the spotlight, like they’re in a movie, but honestly, I’m much happier staying home.

It’s tricky navigating an industry so focused on wealth, luxury items, and showing off possessions. How do you stay grounded?

I’ve always been passionate about cars, and I think most people are. It’s natural to want to enjoy the things you couldn’t have when you were younger, especially after working hard to achieve your goals. However, I prefer to enjoy those things privately, without showing off.

You say this, but your “Eterno” album cover shows you with a stack of money.

I was going through a sad time when the album cover was created, but looking at it now, it’s interesting. There’s a real contrast between how I was feeling and the upbeat imagery on the cover, and that’s what makes it meaningful.

Let’s discuss “El Sentrita.” The song portrays organized crime as a widespread, systemic problem. What inspired you to write about this subject?

I aimed to make the music a form of social commentary, reflecting the long-standing issues in Mexico and the challenges artists face when trying to express themselves and certain topics through their work. Like many rappers historically did, I want to use music as a platform to address these important issues.

I realized that if authorities tried to silence my music, I could use it to voice my disapproval. The story within the song requires careful listening to fully understand. Ultimately, it becomes clear that a single opportunity could have changed everything for the character. My intention was to highlight the many unfulfilled dreams in Mexico and the importance of providing opportunities so people don’t end up making poor choices.

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The “El Sentrita” music video depicts a young boy being drawn into a life of crime, suggesting it’s not a deliberate choice he makes, but rather a consequence of his environment. I’d like to understand the reasoning behind developing this nuanced portrayal of his character.

It’s easy to ask who the victim is in a situation like this. I initially saw him as a decent person who unfortunately got mixed up with the wrong crowd and ultimately changed for the worse. But if you step back and avoid labeling people as ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ you could also see him as someone simply doing what he had to in order to survive within that difficult environment.

It makes you wonder if we can truly label someone as bad when they’re driven to difficult choices by their circumstances. I also wanted to illustrate to young people that navigating that kind of life isn’t simple. Our society is currently facing serious problems, and this generation needs our support and understanding.

At the end of your song, you have a line that says, “You don’t sing about what you do, you sing about what you see.” Can you explain what you meant by that?

We’re not involved in any criminal activity. We just sing about the reality of everyday life in Mexico – the things that happen constantly, day after day. It’s not an isolated issue; it’s a continuous, ongoing situation.

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2026-05-05 01:32