Mexico City-based trio Latin Mafia is on the rise. Brothers Milton, Emilio, and Mike de la Rosa ended 2024 strongly by hosting a free listening party for their debut album in the Mexican capital, welcoming over 80,000 fans to experience their hypnotic performances.
Latin Mafia kicks off the new year with the first COLORS show of 2025, delivering high energy and angelic vocals against teal backdrops. The trio presents their latest single "Siento que merezco más", blending Latin rhythms with uplifting emotions. Through live vocals and pulsing beats, Latin Mafia showcases their eagerness to dominate 2025 with captivating vocals that touch on love, lust, and heartbreak.
We spoke with Milton, Emilio, and Mike de la Rosa of Latin Mafia about their sonic rules, representing Latin America on a global stage, and their willingness to experiment with new music technologies.
Hypebeast: Your sound feels like it exists in a duality between chaos and control, blending the haunting minimalism of trap with the fiery pulse of reggaeton, all while resisting overt commercial messaging. When crafting these sonic worlds, what rules, if any, do you refuse to follow?
"We wouldn’t say it’s about breaking rules – it’s more about finding new ways to approach things, or at least doing them in our own style. Sometimes you break the rules, sometimes you don’t. We simply don’t believe that everything needs a formula or a “right” way to be done. Creativity is about exploration; you can’t discover new possibilities by sticking to what’s already been done."
Culturally, you're seen as seismic disruptors in the Latin music market - not just breaking the genre's rules, but rewriting them entirely. Your blend of raw emotional storytelling and cutting-edge production has struck a chord with younger audiences craving authenticity, which subsequently caught the attention of COLORS. What inspired you to take this path?
"It’s all about keeping it real, addressing genuine issues, sharing true stories, and expressing human emotions. In a time when everything feels a bit hollow, we aim to create something meaningful. We often say it’s sad to just hear music when you have the chance to truly feel it."
In many of your tracks, there's a seamless play between digital and analog sounds. How do you balance the intersection of technology and tradition in your work, and what role does experimenting with new tech play in your creative process?
"It’s such an exciting process - discovering fresh ways to shape sound. For instance, there are countless ways to make a piano sound unique today. Experimenting with new tools and combining them with traditional elements allows us to push boundaries. We’re always looking for innovative methods to create something original."
Latin Mafia isn’t just a musical movement — it’s a cultural one. What kind of responsibility do you feel when it comes to representing the history and heritage of Mexico, in particular and the Latinx community in general, within the music industry?
"It’s both an honor and a responsibility. Music is our way of pushing boundaries and sharing Mexican and Latin culture with the world. It helps us highlight aspects of our heritage that might not be immediately visible. Through music, we can celebrate diversity and showcase the richness of our traditions to a global audience."
