The song Ella Baila Sola, performed by Mexican artists Peso Pluma and Eslabón Armado, has recently been recognized by Rolling Stone magazine in its list of The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far.
This inclusion underscores the impact that this corrido tumbado theme has had not only in Mexico, but globally. ([turn0search1]
The song was released on March 17, 2023 as the lead single from the album Desvelado.
Since its release, “Ella Baila Sola” achieved important milestones: it was the first regional Mexican song to enter the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 4, and reached the top of the Billboard Global 200.
Peso Pluma: Rolling Stone Magazine Recognition
On October 8, 2025, Rolling Stone published its list of The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far, reviewing the last 25 years of global music. In it, “Ella Baila Sola” appears among those chosen, representing an important validation of the corrido tumbado genre and regional Mexican music as an international sound.
In its presentation, the magazine argues that this song symbolizes “the consolidation of a local sound that broke boundaries” and mentions that Peso Pluma’s generation “was the one that achieved this by staying true to their sound”. ([turn0search1] He also describes it as “an omnipresent sierreño anthem: agile, epic and intoxicating, with Peso displaying his nasal vocal swagger over the wall of sound of Eslabón Armado, a feast of requintos and trombones”. (the quote is part of the editorial analysis of the listing)
The inclusion of “Ella Baila Sola” in this list generated a wave of reactions on social networks. On the one hand, many users celebrated the fact that a regional Mexican song received international recognition and expressed pride in Latin American musical culture. On the other hand, criticisms arose regarding the selection: some Internet users questioned that a relatively recent song – and belonging to a genre that many still consider “mainstream” or popular – should occupy such a high place compared to songs that have been around for decades or have greater lyrical depth.
One user on X wrote: “I think it was a popularity contest. Never ‘Ella Baila Sola’ is better than ‘Hasta la Raíz'”. The Rolling Stone page read comments such as, “What a disappointing century,” reflecting the polarization of the public.
The recognition of “Ella Baila Sola” not only speaks of popularity, but also of cultural transformation: the leap of regional Mexican music towards global audiences, thanks to the mix of traditional elements (requintos, trombones, corrido theme) with a contemporary and viral aesthetic (TikTok, streaming platforms).
This event could mark a turning point for the genre, reaffirming that corridos tumbados are no longer just a local phenomenon, but part of the international musical narrative of the 21st century. In that sense, the conversation it has generated can be understood as both celebration and reflection: what songs defined this period? What criteria do we use to judge their impact and artistic value?
Here you can listen to the song ‘Ella Baila Sola’.
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