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Iván Cornejo: The New Face of Mexican Music Hits SXSW & Coachella
Iván Cornejo is on a meteoric rise, and he’s now bringing his poignant sierreño sound to SXSW 2025, where he’ll be headlining the Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase on March 13. For a 20-year-old who started out posting songs on social media, this is just another indication that he’s no longer an emerging artist, he’s one of the biggest names in Mexican music today.
With three albums to his name, record-breaking tours, and a growing international fanbase, Cornejo is at the forefront of the new wave of Mexican music. He’s blending traditional sounds with alternative influences to create something fresh, personal, and deeply emotional.
From sold-out arenas to chart-topping hits, here’s how Cornejo became the voice of a new generation.
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From Riverside to the Charts
Born in Riverside, California, in 2004 to Mexican parents, Iván Cornejo grew up surrounded by regional music, but it wasn’t until a middle school heartbreak that he picked up the guitar. Teaching himself how to play through YouTube tutorials, his first song was Ritchie Valens’ version of “La Bamba,” but his real influences were artists like T3R Elemento, Grupo Los de la O, and Natanael Cano.
By 15, he was already posting his own corridos online. And by 17, he released his first album, Alma Vacía, a project he recorded with the help of his cousin. What happened next? A TikTok explosion.
His song ‘Está Dañada’ went viral, boosting his entire album up the charts. Suddenly, ‘Alma Vacía’ was sitting at #2 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart and #7 on the Top Latin Albums chart. The New York Times even named it one of the best albums of 2021.
At just 18 years old, he was at the forefront of the Latin music scene and he was just getting started.
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Dañado, Mirada, and the Evolution of Iván Cornejo
Cornejo’s second album, Dañado, took things to another level. Released in 2022, it debuted at #1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, spending a record-breaking 37 weeks in the top spot. It also landed at #28 on the Billboard 200, making it clear that Mexican music wasn’t just growing but it was dominating.
By the time he released his third album, Mirada, in July 2024, Cornejo had fully embraced his genre-blending instincts. The album kicks off with a classic regional Mexican sound, then transitions into alternative influences, pop melodies, and even melancholic ballads. The risk paid off since Mirada debuted at #1 on both the Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts, and once again made a splash on the Billboard 200.
From Lollapalooza to Coachella
Cornejo isn’t just dominating the charts, he’s also taking over the biggest stages in the world.
After making his debut at the Lollapalooza stage in 2023, he embarked on his Terapia Tour, which led to a record-breaking sold-out concert at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, which became the highest-grossing Latin show in the venue’s history.
And now? He’s gearing up for part two of his “Mirada” tour, with 32 shows across the U.S. from April to June 2025. But the biggest moment of all is coming in April, when he’ll take the stage at Coachella alongside Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone.
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A New Era for Música Mexicana
Cornejo’s success isn’t just about him but it’s part of a larger movement. In recent years, Mexican music has impacted the world, with artists like Peso Pluma, Eslabon Armado, and Natanael Cano pushing the genre into new territories. Regional Mexican music experienced a 42.1% increase in consumption in 2023, making it the fastest-growing genre after K-pop.
That’s why his 2023 signing with Interscope Records was such a big deal. It signaled that major labels are finally acknowledging the global power of Mexican music, and Cornejo is right at the center of it. What makes him stand out is his willingness to experiment. He keeps his acoustic roots but plays with alternative rock, emo themes, and even reggaetón and house influences.
Ivan is reshaping what Mexican music can be, and fans are here for it.
What’s Next for Iván Cornejo?
Right now, Cornejo is focused on his tour, but he’s already teasing new music. In a recent interview, he hinted that his next project would be “bigger” than Dañado, promising new sounds and even more raw emotion.
With SXSW, Coachella, and an international fanbase growing by the day, this is just the beginning for Iván.
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