Is Bachata Tumbada the Next Big Music Trend?

Wait… Is bachata tumbadas in this year? On Jan. 7, Prince Royce teased a new collaboration alongside Gabito Ballesteros. The result? A post-breakup song fusing bachata and música mexicana elements.

Regional Mexican music is continuously expanding into other genres. Last year, we heard out-of-the-box collaborations like Peso Pluma and El Alfa’s dembow-tinged corrido track “PLEBADA.” We’ve also heard electro-corridos from artists like Los Esquivel and Marca Registrada on “Alucin.” Is a bachata and música mexicana crossover the next big thing this year?

“Innovating with [a] Bachata tumbadaaaaa 🚨,” the Dominican-American artist wrote on his Instagram. “@gabitoballesteros when should we release this PALO ?? 🫡🌎🥃🏹.” The rising música mexicana artist replied, “I already want them to hear it😩👽🫶🏽.” 

The new Instagram post is accompanied by a video featuring Royce mouthing the words of the highly-anticipated bachata-influenced song with traditional música mexicana instruments. We also hear a quick clip of Balletestero’s vocals for the first time on a bachata tune. As far as the lovelorn lyrics go, Royce sings about an ex-lover messaging him on his birthday after going MIA for months. Ballesteros croons about missing a former lover and using alcohol to ease his pain.

Although we don’t have an official release date yet for the bachata tumbada, fans are thrilled about the upcoming collaboration. Instagram user kevingarciacc wrote: “Breaking Genres and adding the R to the tumbado 🔥🫡.” Another Instagram user, jeankarlaaliaga, commented: “We already deserved a bachata for our heart.”

Up next, Royce will perform at Calibash in Los Angeles, CA, on Jan. 12. He will share the stage with other artists like Feid, Yandel, Young Miko, Nicki Nicole, and Tokischa. As for Ballesteros, he recently released a collaboration with Grupo Firme’s Eduin Caz called “Otra Noche.” He also released his first single with Interscope Records, a reimagination of the 2000 hit “A Puro Dolor.”