“We had to innovate at the beginning, and we continue to do so on a daily basis; it’s important to keep up with the fans,” Gabito Ballesteros tells Apple Music. More than a year after he emerged as one of the brightest rising stars in the art of the corrido, his commitment to música mexicana is as authentic as his Sonora roots, creating a personal sonic universe where his voice transcends the other elements of traditional corridos tumbados. THE GB, Ballesteros’ first solo studio album, showcases the breadth of his musical abilities, including his talent for embracing new styles and a generosity of spirit that leaves space for other voices to shine. “This record features the sound that people know me for, but it also delves into other styles in the company of the artists who were present at the beginning of my career and who are making it big now,” he says. Here, Ballesteros dissects some key album tracks. “Sad Loqueron” “I did this one by myself, without any featured artists, and I wrote it together with composer Jorge Jiménez. People loved it on social media, so we decided to open the album with it. On the production side, this song includes sounds that are new to my usual style. The phrasing of the melody is a bit different; the fans seem to love that.” “Lucky Charms” (feat. Natanael Cano and Peso Pluma) “I worked on this together with my friends, songwriters Daniel Candia and Alan López. We produced it in step with my personal style, then offered it to Nata and Peso. Both added their harmonies and individual touch. It’s one of the strongest cuts. We recorded the vocals in Mexico City. We did several takes, and finally settled on this particular fusion of their voices.” “La Niña” (feat. Kenia Os) “With Kenia Os, we went for a song that would showcase our individual styles, but it ended up sounding different from the usual Gabito vibe. It has a special touch, with a kind of unusual instrumentation that is not embraced by either of us. We spent a lot of time on this one, changing it as we went along. We had planned to collaborate for the longest time, and finally found the right moment to make it happen. The result is great, and I’m proud that it found its place in the album.” “Neta” (feat. Junior H) “This song is steeped in pain—a sad tune, just like my friend Junior likes them. It was the second tune that we sent him, and he chose this one. We also added a lot of melodic content. Songs tend to have two separate melodies, one for the verses and one in the chorus; this one has four. The rhythm and the sequence keep changing, and Junior added his special touch.” “Sin Yolanda” (feat. Peso Pluma) “This one combines both styles—a bit of Peso Pluma and a bit of myself. It’s a very propulsive song, it keeps you on this upbeat mood, and it reminds me a bit of [Peso and Gabito’s 2023 collaboration] ‘LADY GAGA’. It’s such a pleasure working with him, and the vibe in the studio was excellent. Everything flows, and the creative process happens naturally.” “Sonrisa Colgate” (feat. Fuerza Regida) “This one was custom-made for Fuerza Regida, and it follows the band’s sound. It has a strong melodic line and an addictive chorus, just like their hits. We hope this one will be a major success. We’ve known each other for a long time, and their support of my career has been unwavering. We’ve done many songs together, but this is my favourite.” “Balenciaga Rose” (feat. Blessd) “I had saved up this one for a long time. Blessd loved it; he heard it at an event, asked me to collaborate, and I ended up sending it to him. It’s a corrido that steps out of the usual genre confines. It has a bit of an urban touch so he can feel comfortable adding his voice. I have no problem switching genres—I’m really versatile—and I’m always looking for a good opportunity to experiment with different sounds. In this case, the end result speaks for itself.”