Peso Pluma’s electrifying performance on Oct. 3 at the Barclays Center left fans exhilarated. The artist’s popularity has been on the rise as evident from the sold-out show in Brooklyn. Pluma, born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, is currently on his highly anticipated Éxodo Tour across the Americas, in celebration of his fourth studio album of the same name.
Although the 25 year old began his career as a musician in April of 2020 with his album Ah y Qué?, his career took off in February of 2022 when his single with Raul Vega, “El Belicón,” went viral on TikTok, landing him at number 46 on the Billboard “Hot Latin Songs” list. Pluma’s ascent continued in 2023 when his song “Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armado became the first regional Mexican song to reach number one on the Billboard “Hot 100” list, making history inspiring other Mexican artists. This success granted him the title of YouTube’s “Most-viewed Artist of 2023.”
The buzz for Pluma’s concert was evident even outside of the venue. The scene was far more festive than the usual street vendors with knock-off merchandise; Brooklyn’s streets were transformed into a mini-Mexico. Vendors sold cowboy hats, flags, and even classic Mexican street food, tempting passersby. As one ventured deeper into the crowd, Spanish quickly replaced English, adding to the immersive atmosphere.
Inside the Barclays Center, the excitement only intensified. After all the concertgoers settled in, the room suddenly became pitch black. Immediately, a flash of blinding white light was followed by dramatic narration, which continued throughout various parts of the show. Attendees’ bracelets lit up in different colors during the performance, enhancing the visual spectacle. Pluma also used creative props, such as a moon that traveled around the arena during his song “LUNA.”
As this performance took place in New York City, Pluma decided to deviate from his usual routine by inviting guests to share the stage. First, he brought up his best friend, Jasiel Nuñez, and the pair proceeded to perform a duet on two of Pluma’s songs, before Nuñez went solo and sang an unreleased track. Pluma did feature some lesser-known artists but surprised the audience by inviting well-known stars, including rapper Ice Spice who performed her hit song “Deli.” Other guest performers included Eladio Carrion, Yng Lvcas, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, Tito Double P, and Estevan Plazola on stage.
Throughout the night, Pluma made sure to demonstrate the immense gratitude he has for his fans, stopping after each song to thank the audience for their support and love for his music. At one point, he paused to reflect on how amazed he was to be able to achieve his dream of performing at the Barclays Center in front of so many supporters. He then acknowledged his Mexican roots, expressing pride in representing it on such a large stage and opening doors for others to do the same.
Even after the conclusion of the show, fans remained invigorated, singing his songs on the train ride home. Senior Catherine Christakos expressed her love for the performance: “It was a life-changing experience.” Christakos added that she would remember the night for the rest of her life.
