The question of whether global music sensation Peso Pluma holds US citizenship has become a major point of discussion among fans and media outlets, reflecting the intense curiosity surrounding the personal life of the *corridos tumbados* star. As of December 2025, the definitive answer is that Peso Pluma, whose real name is Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, proudly holds dual Mexican and American nationality, making him a Mexican-American citizen. This dual identity is not just a legal status; it is a fundamental element that has profoundly shaped his music, cultural perspective, and meteoric rise to fame, bridging the gap between two of the world’s most vibrant music markets.
While he is often celebrated as a purely Mexican artist, his deep connection to the United States—formed during his formative years living in the country—grants him a unique cultural fluidity. This article will break down the essential facts about his background, explore the specifics of his US and Mexican ties, and explain how this dual heritage influences the very foundation of his groundbreaking regional Mexican music.
Peso Pluma: Complete Biographical Profile
Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, known professionally as Peso Pluma, is a Mexican singer-songwriter who has redefined the regional Mexican music genre with his signature *corridos tumbados* style. His rapid ascent to international stardom has made him one of the most streamed artists globally, bringing the sounds of Mexican music to a wider, non-traditional audience.
- Full Name: Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija
- Date of Birth: June 15, 1999
- Age (as of 2025): 26 years old
- Birthplace: Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico (a municipality in the Guadalajara metropolitan area)
- Nationality: Mexican-American (Dual Citizenship)
- Ethnicity/Heritage: Mixed descent; his father is of Lebanese heritage, and his mother is Mexican
- Musical Genres: Regional Mexican Music, *Corridos Tumbados*, Trap Latino, Reggaeton
- Years Active: 2020–present
- Record Labels: Prajin Records, Double P Records
- Notable Hits: "Ella Baila Sola" (with Eslabon Armado), "La Bebé" (Remix with Yng Lvcas), "PRC," "Lady Gaga"
The Truth About Peso Pluma's Mexican-American Dual Citizenship
The confusion surrounding Peso Pluma's citizenship status stems from his strong association with Mexican culture and his birthplace. While he was definitively born in Mexico, specific life events and his family's history have solidified his status as a Mexican-American national with dual citizenship.
Born in Jalisco, Mexico
Peso Pluma was born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija on June 15, 1999, in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Jalisco is a state with deep roots in Mexican tradition, known as the birthplace of mariachi and tequila, making his initial cultural foundation undeniably Mexican. This upbringing is clearly reflected in his musical style, which is a modern take on the traditional *corrido* genre.
The American Connection: A Dual Cultural Identity
The key to understanding his US citizenship lies in his formative years. As a teenager, Peso Pluma relocated to the United States with his family. He spent time living in San Antonio, Texas, and also reportedly in the San Diego, California, area, specifically in the city of Chula Vista, which is close to the US-Mexico border. This period spent in the US was crucial, as it exposed him to American culture, American music genres like hip-hop and trap, and the English language.
This residency in the United States, combined with his family’s immigration status or the potential for one of his parents to be a US citizen, is what granted him his American nationality. Many sources confirm that he "proudly holds both Mexican and American nationalities," classifying him as a Mexican-American national. This status allows him to travel and work freely between the two countries, which is essential for an artist who tours extensively in both regions.
The Lebanese Heritage Factor
An interesting layer to Peso Pluma’s identity is his background. His father's family has Lebanese heritage, which is reflected in his full name, Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija. This Middle Eastern ancestry adds another dimension to his already complex cultural makeup, though it does not directly impact his Mexican or American citizenship status. The presence of Lebanese heritage in Mexico is not uncommon; many prominent Mexican families trace their roots back to the Middle East, further highlighting the diversity inherent in his background.
How Peso Pluma's Dual Identity Fuels the *Corridos Tumbados* Revolution
Peso Pluma’s dual nationality is not a mere footnote in his biography; it is arguably the creative engine behind his global success and the rise of the *corridos tumbados* movement. His music is a perfect sonic bridge between two worlds, a fusion that resonates with millions of listeners on both sides of the border.
The Sound of the Border: Fusion and Innovation
The *corrido* is a traditional Mexican ballad style that tells stories, often about heroes, outlaws, or historical events. *Corridos tumbados*—literally "slumped" or "laid-back" corridos—is a modern subgenre pioneered by artists like Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano. It takes the narrative structure and instrumentation of the traditional *corrido* but infuses it with the trap and hip-hop sensibilities Peso Pluma absorbed while living in the US.
- Lyrical Themes: His lyrics, while sung in Spanish, often incorporate modern slang and themes common in American hip-hop, like luxury, street life, and contemporary relationships.
- Production Style: The music features the acoustic guitars and the *requinto* (a smaller, higher-pitched guitar) characteristic of regional Mexican music, but it is layered with heavy trap beats, 808 bass lines, and vocal effects common in US trap music.
- Cultural Authenticity: Because Peso Pluma has lived and breathed the culture of both Mexico and the US, his music feels authentic to both the Mexican *tierra* and the American street. He can speak to the Mexican diaspora in the US, who feel a connection to both countries, and to listeners in Mexico who are influenced by American pop culture.
Bridging the US-Mexico Music Market
His dual citizenship grants him a significant strategic advantage in the music industry. He is not seen as a foreign artist in the US; he is a Mexican-American national who can headline major US festivals, conduct interviews in English when necessary, and collaborate seamlessly with American artists. This ability to navigate both cultural landscapes has allowed him to achieve unprecedented chart success, including becoming the first regional Mexican artist to reach the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His success is a testament to the power of a fluid, dual identity in a globalized world, making him a true cultural ambassador for the Mexican-American experience.
In conclusion, Peso Pluma is a quintessential Mexican-American success story. He is a dual citizen who was born in Zapopan, Jalisco, but whose artistry was forged by his time in the United States. His legal status and his cultural background are inseparable from his music, solidifying his position as a global superstar and the face of the corridos tumbados phenomenon.
Detail Author:
- Name : Prof. Ozella Gutmann
- Username : kkutch
- Email : stamm.bill@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 2006-12-09
- Address : 877 McLaughlin Road Nitzscheland, VT 47363
- Phone : +1 (602) 553-5391
- Company : Connelly-Sanford
- Job : Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Bio : Repudiandae distinctio veritatis velit qui repellendus omnis. Ad illo consectetur est autem distinctio quae enim odio. Libero illum molestiae voluptatem.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/rafael_xx
- username : rafael_xx
- bio : Nobis qui accusamus harum beatae id.
- followers : 1836
- following : 2981
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/rafael3739
- username : rafael3739
- bio : Facere necessitatibus recusandae ipsum. Ullam animi totam eaque voluptatum. Odit porro ipsam animi et ut nemo quod. Unde doloribus et consequuntur id et.
- followers : 3444
- following : 2550