El Malilla Teases Surprises for Coachella’s Second Weekend: ‘It’s Crazy’

April 12 will remain etched in the memory of El Malilla, the reggaetón mexa star who brought the Sonora stage at Coachella to a thrilling close on Saturday night.

Representing urban music, Fernando Hernández Flores (real name) — currently one of Mexico’s most influential artists in the genre with 8.7 million monthly Spotify listeners — turned the stage into a vibrant party with dancers, choreography and infectious energy.

“It’s very exciting, it’s crazy, I can’t believe it,” he tells Billboard Español from his backstage dressing room at the festival after a successful night performing hits like “Beiby,” “Mami Tú,” and “Vaquero,” which the crowd sang along to from start to finish. “Where I grew up, my neighbors were mechanics and construction workers, anything but artists. It’s a point of pride for me to come from there and have made it.

“For this first performance, I wanted to showcase my music and what I know how to do. It was a night for my fans, but also for people to discover what I’m all about. For next Saturday, April 19, I’ll have two surprise guests,” adds the 25-year-old star, who will also perform two days prior at the legendary Roxy Theater in West Hollywood.

Born in Valle de Chalco, a neighborhood notorious for its high crime rates in the metropolitan area of Mexico City, El Malilla always dreamed of being a singer. But not even in his wildest dreams did he imagine making it to Coachella, let alone closing out a stage like Sonora.

His career began 10 years ago when, inspired by Puerto Rican urbano stars Arcángel and Farruko, he decided to write his own songs. By 2023, having earned a reputation in the underground scene, he started being invited to major festivals in Mexico City, such as La Santa Fiesta at Foro Sol, Axe Ceremonia and Flow Fest, as part of the mexa movement (Mexican reggaetón). Since then, he’s collaborated with stars like Yeri Mua, Dani Flow, El Bogueto, Uzielito Mix, Bellakath, and Blessd, as well as J Balvin, who, drawn to the booming urban scene in Mexico, worked with all of them on “Glow Kitty Remix” in 2024.

Also knows as El Chamako de Valle (The Kid from Valley), El Malilla is preparing for a new phase in his career. “I, Fernando, am a big fan of romantic salsa from legends like Willie Colón and Maelo Ruiz, so I’m already working on creating beautiful reggaetón, more commercial stuff, and later on, I’d love to make cumbias,” he explains. “The genre doesn’t matter as long as the music comes from the heart.”

Just a few days ago, the Mexican singer who now basks in his success at Coachella experienced a disappointing moment at Lollapalooza Chile, where his performance saw very low attendance.

“I take it as a learning experience… Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he says. “Just like I started in Mexico singing for ten people, then came a hundred, then thousands, I want the same to happen in Chile in two or three years. That’s how the best stories are told.”