When Chino Pacas received a DM on Instagram from none other than Drake, it wasn’t just another social media interaction — it was the catalyst for one of the most groundbreaking tracks on his debut album, Que Sigan Llegando Las Pacas.

The album was released on his birthday (Oct. 18), with the extended version arriving Oct. 25. The set fuses the raw emotion of corridos tumbados with urban sierreño, revealing a narrative rich in youthful ambition and heritage.

Born Cristian Humberto Ávila Vega, Chino Pacas evolved from a viral TikTok sensation, and a Billboard Hot 100 newcomer to now cementing his status as one of the defining voices of his generation. The Guanajuato musician’s talents are backed by the prowess of Street Mob Records, helmed by Fuerza Regida’s JOP, who has praised him as one of the label’s most talented artists.

In “Modo Capone,” featuring Drake and JOP of Fuerza Regida, fans experience the Toronto superstar singing solely in Spanish, channeling his “Champaign Papi” persona once again, but this time stepping into corridos territory.

Beyond the star-studded features, each track from Chino Pacas’ debut album tells a story, whether it’s about personal struggles, his ambitions, or the day-to-day life in the barrios of Guanajuato where he grew up. The opener, “Smith,” plunges into a world of excess and indulgence, depicted through sharp visuals of “Dom Pérignon,” “pretty faces” and “el reventón” (or bustling parties).

On the other hand, “Morena Canela,” where Pacas shifts to a more personal narrative, paints vivid pictures of desire and decadence, showcasing his skill in blending informal, conversational language with poetic imagery.

Below, Chino Pacas breaks down five essential songs from his new album, in his own words.

“Smith” with Junior H & Fuerza Regida

“Smith” is with my colleagues, with Jesús Ortiz Paz from Fuerza Regida and Junior H, [the latter] who is originally from the same state [Guanajuato] as me. We put this song at number one because I really like it. I felt it was going there, at number one. Smith is a comrade from Mexico, a character, to whom the song was written. We were the interpreters and the writer is Miguel Armenta [among others].

“Modo Capone” with Drake & Fuerza Regida

Drake texted me on Instagram and told me he wanted a corrido for himself and a corrido with me. From there we started working. We sent him several songs including that one, which was the one that stuck. They were thinking and decided to include someone else from the regional Mexican music scene who was on top, so we included Fuerza Regida.

[When I saw Drake’s message] the truth is that I was like, not like in shock, but I was more surprised than anything. When we were recording the song “Modo Capone” in the studio, he, Jesús Ortiz, and I in Houston, we were guiding him so that he could do the vocals. You can really feel the professionalism and it was a very cool vibe. What I always like in all my songs is that chemistry happens and this one was no exception.

“El Gordo Trae el Mando”

This is one of the most important songs of my career, it was the first one we released and the first one that reached the linking of many people. It went viral. This song meant a lot to me too. Many people became aware of my music and after that song, many things changed. [The last year] has been a lot of learning and a lot of work.

“Pues Podemos” with Turo Pacas

The truth is this song is one of the most badass songs on this album. It is the first song that people see me singing with my brother. What I like about this song is that it was a 50/50 split effort — it is a combination of his tastes and my tastes. In the lyrics too and the composition — what he sings, he wrote and what I sing, I wrote. The song, just like the title says, is about how we can. We can do it and we did it.

“Dijeron Que No La Iba a Lograr”

It’s [the song with] the one I identify with the most. I was writing “El Gordo Trae el Mando” [two years ago] with the same chords, the same tone, and that’s where “Dijeron Que No Lo Iba a Lo Lograr” came from. The song is about that, that I wasn’t going to make it, and we were writing it without having made it.

Check out the full album below: