With every stride he takes, El Malilla is making waves in history. This Mexican powerhouse has propelled the burgeoning reggaeton movement of his homeland to the center stage. Last year, he marked a milestone as the first reggaeton Mexa performer to take the stage at both Coachella and the Grammy Museum. On February 13, El Malilla expanded his growing list of accomplishments by becoming the inaugural Mexican reggaeton artist to headline the iconic Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.

“Truly, it feels incredibly special to carry the Mexican banner with me everywhere I go,” El Malilla shares with Genius backstage at his sold-out show. “It means the world for people to see my pride in being Mexican, from playing at Coachella to now standing before 20,000 fans at the Palacio de los Deportes. I believe my contributions are deeply significant for the culture of Mexican reggaeton. We are finally gaining the recognition we deserve.”

Reggaeton has its origins in Puerto Rico and Panama, which meant most of the genre's early trailblazers hailed from the Caribbean. El Malilla, born Fernando Hernández Flores, counts Ñengo Flow, J Álvarez, Arcángel, and Gotay “El Autentiko” among his primary influences. Growing up in Valle de Chalco, a barrio (neighborhood) on the outskirts of Mexico City, he discovered the genre through pirated CDs at local markets. He became driven to bridge the gap in Mexican representation that existed at the time.

“As a child, I was an avid reggaeton listener, but back then in Mexico, it wasn’t integrated into our culture,” El Malilla recalls. “At 15, I realized I wanted to pursue reggaeton, though I wasn’t sure how to start. I began chasing this dream alongside my friends. While many of them eventually shifted to different paths, I stayed the course to become El Malilla.”

Nearly a decade into his journey, El Malilla secured his first major hits while putting reggaeton Mexa on the map. These Mexican artists draw inspiration from the raw, underground roots of the genre in Puerto Rico while infusing it with local terminology and flair. El Malilla characterizes Mexican reggaeton as “one-of-a-kind, genuine, fresh, and vibrant.” His initial two hits showcased different sides of his talent. The provocative “B de Bellako,” featuring Yeyo, highlighted his charm, while the atmospheric “Dime” revealed his emotional depth. Both tracks were featured on his debut studio effort, 2024’s ÑeroStars.

“‘B de Bellako’ was the track that redefined reggaeton in Mexico,” El Malilla notes. “I truly feel that song transformed the sound of reggaeton Mexa once audiences latched onto its distinct vibe. ‘Dime’ marked another pivotal shift for the movement, as its success prompted everyone to start producing more romantic-style reggaeton. The genre can be used for dancefloor hits or for music you share with a loved one.”

Since his breakout, El Malilla has earned support and collaborations from several reggaeton titans. Puerto Rican legends Jowell y Randy joined a remix of “B de Bellako,” and the Colombian superstar J Balvin teamed up with him and fellow reggaeton Mexa acts El Bogueto and Yeri Mua for the “G Low Kitty Remix.” His idol, Gotay “El Autentiko,” also featured on a follow-up to his track “Resolvemos.” Furthermore, Panamanian icon Lorna recently recruited him for a modern version of her 2003 anthem “Papi Chulo… Te Traigo El Mmmm.”

“I sense that with every project, my music is gaining more professional weight,” he observes. “It’s not just about the Puerto Rican or Colombian artists being invited anymore. Now, Mexicans are finally part of the conversation. Developing a friendship with Balvin is surreal because I grew up watching him on screens, and now we’re in constant contact. I could visit Colombia and he’d have my back. It’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re finally being taken seriously.”

El Malilla’s performance at the Palacio de los Deportes functioned like a three-hour celebration of his success. He showcased tracks from ÑeroStars and both volumes of his 2025 Tu Maliante Bebé – EP, while also digging into obscure tracks that had day-one fans singing every lyric. His surprise guests included Mua and the reggaeton Mexa duo Cachirula & LOOJAN, both of whom are set to appear at this year’s Coachella. El Malilla is keeping mum on whether he’ll join them on the festival stage for a rendition of 2024’s “BEIBY (Remix).” This upcoming summer, El Malilla is set to embark on his first-ever U.S. tour.

“I expect to be touring the U.S. by August or September,” he explains. “I am so thrilled to share my culture with the States, especially for the many Mexicans who can’t travel home to experience a show like the one at the Palacio de los Deportes. I feel a duty to bring a piece of our world over there, and that includes plenty of reggaeton Mexa.”

El Malilla is constantly widening his scope. Last winter, he made his acting debut in the HBO Max drama Vgly, and recently, he walked the runway for the first time in Willy Chavarria’s Paris fashion show. El Malilla is also preparing his sophomore album for release later this year, with plans to experiment with bolero, corrido, and bachata influences.

“My goal is to be a voice for every dreamer in the barrios who dares to aspire to greatness and puts in the work to achieve their goals,” he concludes.