Peso Pluma is already a champ, and at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, he was victorious once again with a knockout performance of his swaggy corrido “Rubicon.” The Mexican star took the stage — or, rather, boxing ring — alongside heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, whose robe had “the best ever” written on the back.
As the 24-year-old hitmaker — Mexican music’s biggest star today — made his way to the ring, his superfans cheered him on. He then took to the ring to perform the track that’s part of his history-making album Génesis, and was joined not only by Tyson, but also his seven-piece band.
Following his epic performance, Peso Pluma (born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija) was honored with the top Latin song award for his and Eslabon Armado’s global smash hit “Ella Baila Sola.” Earlier this year, the track made history as the first regional Mexican song to enter the top five on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Give it up to the people’s champion, Peso Pluma!” Tyson said as he handed the singer-songwriter his award. Then, it was Peso’s turn to speak.
“Thank you everyone,” he said, speaking in English. “Thanks, Mr. Tyson, for being here. Thank you to all the fans, thank you for all the love and the support. And I’d like to thank the Billboard Awards for having me here. Thank you very much.”
Peso has 22 entries on the Hot 100, and in June, he became the first artist to ever lead both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. lists simultaneously with different songs: “Ella Baila Sola” and “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 55,” respectively. His Génesis album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (dated July 1) — the highest rank ever for a música Mexicana album on the chart.
Peso was a top winner at October’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, taking home eight awards, including artist of the year, new. He entered Sunday’s awards show as a six-time finalist.
