Junior H
Antonio Herrera Pérez (born April 23, 2001), better known as Junior H, is a Mexican singer-songwriter. He creates music in the corridos tumbados subgenre.[2]
Junior H | |
---|---|
Born | Antonio Herrera Pérez 23 April 2001 Cerano, Guanajuato, Mexico |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2019–present |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) |
|
Labels |
|
He has released eight studio albums since 2019 and four of the albums had reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart; Atrapado En Un Sueño,[3] Cruisin' with Junior H,[4] $ad Boyz 4 Life and Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2.[5]
Life and career
Antonio Herrera Pérez was born on April 23, 2001, in the town of Cerano, Guanajuato, in Mexico. At the age of 12, he and one of his friends would write lyrics since they did not know how to play instruments. He lived his childhood in Cerano until the age of 15 when he and his family moved to the state of Utah, United States. At the age of 17, while in high school, he worked at a sandwich shop and learned to play different instruments at the time, including the accordion and guitar, by watching videos on YouTube,[6] although he later leaned more towards guitars and singing. One day as a hobby, he decided to upload several of his songs on YouTube under the name "Junior H."[7] Away from social networks for one month without knowing anything about his uploaded songs, one day out of curiosity, while working, he went to review his songs on YouTube and upon seeing that his single "No He Cambiado" had more than 2 million views and several supportive comments, made him focus more on this independent musical project.[6]
2019–2020: Career beginnings
On February 2, 2019, Herrera released his debut album Mi Vida en un Cigarro, with nine songs. Among them was his first renowned single "No He Cambiado" and other songs such as "Mi Vida en un Cigarro" and "El de la Chevy".[8] That same year, contacted by businessman Jimmy Humilde, he joined the independent Chicano record company Rancho Humilde, where he met fellow singer Natanael Cano, with whom he collaborated on the single "Disfruto lo Malo" on the album Corridos Tumbados; an album that includes Herrera's hit "Ella", a song written by himself.
In 2020, Herrera released his second studio album titled Atrapado en un Sueño, which features his most recognized singles, "Mente Positiva", "Atrapado en un Sueño" and "Jueves 10", surpassing 100 million views on platforms. The album was positioned in the top five of the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.[3] Later that year, on September 2, he would release two albums that same day titled Musica <3 and Cruisin' with Junior H, which would feature 12 songs on each album.[4] On December 18, together with Natanael Cano and Ovi, they released the album Las 3 Torres, including 16 songs which feature artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ñengo Flow and Snow Tha Product.[9]
2021–present: Further career and mainstream success
On February 12, 2021, Herrera released $ad Boyz 4 Life, with 16 songs, whose lyrics talk about love and heartbreak.[10] In less than 24 hours, the album managed to position itself in the top spot of Apple Music's Latin Albums chart. Some of his recognized singles from the album are: "La Bestia", "160 Gramos" and "Me Consume". On February 7, 2022, he announced and revealed the tracklist of his seventh studio album titled Mi Vida en un Cigarro 2, in reference to the name of his first album, which was officially released on February 11.[11]
Months later, Herrera announced that he was working on a new album, but it contained trap songs, which would be his first and last album of that genre (said by Herrera himself). In October, he revealed the release date of his album, which would be November 11, although days later he changed it to a later date that would be the official one, November 23 of that same year. At the end of 2022, it would be released with the name Contingente in which it contains twelve songs, with collaborations with other well-known artists such as Alemán, Big Soto, Ovi, Paloma Mami, and Snow Tha Product.[12]
In January 2023, Herrera released the single "Fin de Semana" with Oscar Maydon, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on number 86, making it both artists' first time appearing in the chart.[13] In February, Herrera collaborated with Mexican musician and singer Peso Pluma on "El Azul". Herrera and Peso Pluma became frequent collaborators and had appeared on "El Tsurito", "Lady Gaga,"[14] "Luna", and "Bipolar".[15] "Lady Gaga" had peaked at No. 1 on the Mexico Songs and Hot Latin Songs charts, making this Junior H's debut on both charts.[16] In August 1, 2023, three of Herrera's studio albums were certified platinum by RIAA; Cruisin' with Junior H (5x), Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2 (3x), and $ad Boyz 4 Life (1x) were all certified platinum. In September 14, Herrera was featured in a song with norteño band Grupo Frontera, titled "En Altavoz", the eighth and final single for the former's debut studio album, El Comienzo. Musica <3 was later certified platinum eleven days later.[17] On October 6, 2023, he released his eighth studio album $ad Boyz 4 Life II,[18] in which Herrera refers it as "more of an accident" since there were supposedly going to be featured artists in the album.[19] The album's release date was first announced through his Instagram account.[20]
Artistry
Junior H is known for being one of the most important figures of the corridos tumbados subgenre, along with Natanael Cano, which are also referred as trap corridos. He has also been influenced by a blend of Latin trap, reggaeton, and hip-hop music, genres in which he usually combines in his music.[21]
The lyrics Junior H writes are usually about relationships, usually heartbreaking relationships,[22] in which music with such lyrics is often referred as urban sierreño or "sad" sierreño, a genre inspired by Ariel Camacho, with Eslabon Armado being another important figure in the subgenre.[1]
In his song "1004 Kilómetros", the lyrics are about and are dedicated to Junior H's mom, who actually lived 1004 kilometers away from him at the time. The lyrics represent a long-distance relationship.[23]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Studio album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [24] |
US Latin [5] |
MEX Reg. [25] | |||
Mi Vida En Un Cigarro |
|
— | — | — | |
Atrapado En Un Sueño |
|
— | 5 | 2 | |
Cruisin' with Junior H |
|
— | 10 | 1 | |
Musica <3 |
|
— | — | 3 | |
$ad Boyz 4 Life |
|
192 | 5 | 1 | |
Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2 |
|
138 | 4 | 1 | |
Contingente |
|
— | 36 | — | |
$ad Boyz 4 Life II |
|
14 | 2 | 2 |
Collaborative studio albums
Title | Studio album details |
---|---|
Corridos Tumbados (with Natanael Cano and Dan Sanchez) |
|
Las 3 Torres (with Natanael Cano and Ovi) |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEX [26] |
US [27] |
US Latin [28] |
WW [29] | ||||
"Vivo a Mi Manera" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
"En Mis Dedos un Gallito" | — | — | — | — | |||
"El de la H" | — | — | — | — | |||
"Paso En Culiacan" (with Natanael Cano) |
2020 | — | — | — | — | ||
"La Bestia" | 2021 | — | — | — | — | ||
"Disfruto Lo Malo" (with Natanael Cano) |
— | — | — | — | Corridos Tumbados | ||
"Empressa Fly Club" | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Naci Para Amarte" | — | — | — | — | |||
"12 Rifles" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | ||
"El Hijo Mayor" | 21 | — | 41 | — | |||
"El Plumas (En Vivo)" | — | — | — | — | |||
"Vamos Para Arriba" (with Gabito Ballesteros) |
— | — | 32 | — | |||
"El Rescate" (with Grupo Marca Registrada) |
8 | —[upper-alpha 1] | 18 | 153 |
|
Don't Stop the Magic | |
"Ojos Tumbados" (with Alto Linaje) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"El Pana" (with Compa Steve) |
— | — | — | — | |||
"Loco Enamorado" (with Edgardo Nuñez) |
— | — | 30 | — |
| ||
"Intenciones Malas" (with Dan Sanchez) |
— | — | — | — | |||
"En Paris" (with El Chachito) |
14 | — | 25 | — | |||
"Fin de Semana" (with Oscar Maydon) |
2023 | 4 | 86 | 10 | 58 | ||
"El Azul" (with Peso Pluma) |
3 | 55 | 8 | 23 |
| ||
"Ya Corazón" (with Gabito Ballesteros) |
24 | — | — | — | |||
"Tronando Ligas" (with Grupo Firme) |
— | — | — | — | |||
"El Tsurito" (with Peso Pluma and Gabito Ballesteros) |
15 | —[upper-alpha 2] | 23 | 127 | |||
"Abcdario" (with Eden Muñoz) |
8 | —[upper-alpha 3] | 24 | 84 | |||
"Lady Gaga" (with Peso Pluma and Gabito Ballesteros) |
1 | 35 | 1 | 13 | Génesis | ||
"Cuerno Mio" (with Oscar Maydon) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"El Patrocinador" (with Grupo Firme) |
— | — | — | — | |||
"Bipolar" (with Peso Pluma and Jasiel Nuñez) |
12 | 60 | 7 | 86 | |||
"En Altavoz" (with Grupo Frontera) |
— | — | — | — | El Comienzo | ||
"Skin de Bandida" (with Oscar Maydon and Gabito Ballesteros) |
— | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Guerreros Aztecas" | — | — | — | — | |||
"Y Lloro" | 8 | 97 | 12 | 92 | $ad Boyz 4 Life II |
Other charted songs
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEX [26] |
US [27] |
US Latin [28] |
WW [29] | |||
"Luna" (with Peso Pluma) |
2023 | 5 | 30 | 5 | 23 | Génesis |
"$ad Boyz II" | 13 | —[upper-alpha 4] | 19 | 169 | $ad Boyz 4 Life II | |
"Rockstar" | 16 | —[upper-alpha 5] | 26 | — | ||
"Serpiente" | — | — | 36 | — | ||
"La Cherry" | — | —[upper-alpha 6] | 31 | — | ||
"Miéntele" | — | — | 45 | — | ||
"Las Noches" | — | — | 40 | — | ||
"Tres Botellas" | — | — | 43 | — | ||
"Miles de Rosas" | — | — | 47 | — |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Seca Tus Lagrimas" | 2020 | Natanael Cano | Corazon Tumbado |
"Los 4 Ases (Corrido Tumbado)" | 2021 | Ovi, Natanael Cano, and Herencia de Patrones | Retumban2 |
"El F" | Natanael Cano | A Mis 20 | |
"Mochila" | 2022 | NataKong | |
"Dos Morritas" | Eslabon Armado | Nostalgia | |
"Whiskey Con Agua" | Fuerza Regida | Pa Que Hablen | |
"Mejor Acabar" | 2023 | Eslabon Armado | Desvelado |
"Eres" | Natanael Cano | Nata Montana | |
"Picardía" | Rauw Alejandro | Playa Saturno |
Notes
- "El Rescate" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
- "El Tsurito" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number six on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
- "Abcdario" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number nine on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
- "$ad Boyz II" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
- "Rockstar" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 11 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
- "La Cherry" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 18 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[30]
Awards and nominations
Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billboard Latin Music Awards | 2021 | Regional Mexican Artist of the Year | Junior H | Nominated | [31] |
Regional Mexican Album of the Year | Atrapado En Un Sueño | Nominated | |||
2022 | Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo | Junior H | Nominated | [32] | |
Regional Mexican Album of the Year | Mi Vida En Un Cigarro 2 | Nominated | |||
2023 | Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male | Junior H | Nominated | [33] | |
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo | Nominated | ||||
Premios Tu Música Urbano | 2022 | Top Artist — Regional Mexican Urban | Nominated | [34] | |
Top Song — Regional Mexican | "Los 4 Ases (Corrido Tumbado)" (with Ovi, Natanael Cano, and Herencia de Patrones) | Nominated | |||
2023 | Top Artist — Regional Mexican Urban | Junior H | Nominated | [35] |
References
- Flores, Griselda (February 9, 2021). "The New Generation of Sad Regional Mexican Acts". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- "Junior H, el talento naciente de los corridos tumbados". Freim TV. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- Bustios, Pamela (April 9, 2020). "Junior H Debuts in Top Latin Albums Chart Top 5 With 'Atrapado En Un Sueño'". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- Bustios, Pamela (September 16, 2020). "Junior H's 'Cruising With Junior H' Becomes His Second Top 10 on Top Latin Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- Roiz, Jessica (April 9, 2020). "Junior H Interview: Latin Artist On The Rise". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- "Junior H revela cómo se dio cuenta de que quería dedicarse a la música". Telemundo (in Spanish). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Mi Vida En Un Cigarro Album by Junior H". MyMusicStream. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Natanael Cano, Junior H y Ovi se unen en el nuevo álbum "Las 3 Torres"". ReggaetonSinLimite (in Spanish). December 19, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Junior H es el lado emotivo de los corridos tumbados". VICE (in Spanish). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Junior H comienza a vivir su sueño". La Opinión (in Spanish). 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- "Junior H imparable con "Contingente" en los charts en EE. UU y México". El Mexicano (in Spanish). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Junior H & Oscar Maydon Debut on Hot 100". Billboard. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- "'Lady Gaga', la joya viral del nuevo disco de Peso Pluma, 'Génesis'". Flooxer Now (in Spanish). 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- Mier, Tomás (September 7, 2023). "Peso Pluma, Jasiel Nuñez, and Junior H Drop 'Bipolar'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- Bustios, Pamela (September 26, 2023). "'Lady Gaga' by Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros and Junior H reach No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- "'Llegó la hora de llorar'; Junior H estrenará $ad Boyz 4 life II este jueves". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- Villa, Lucas (October 10, 2023). "INTERVIEW: Junior H Talks New Album & Mexico's Crackdown on Corridos Tumbados". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- "LA ESPERA TERMINÓ: YA PUEDEN PREGUARDAR $AD BOYZ 4 LIFE II Y CHECAR CONTENIDO EXCLUSIVO EN SPOTIFY 05.10.23" (in Spanish). September 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023 – via Instagram.
- Pineda, Ricardo (September 8, 2022). "Junior H: a tumbado crooner from here and there". Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- Villa, Lucas (August 26, 2020). "Junior H Premieres New Music Video for 'Intro' Single". Remezcla. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- Calvario, Yazmin (March 29, 2023). "1004 kilómetros de Jr H, su canción romántica que pocos conocen". Soy Grupero. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History (Regional Mexican Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History: Mexico Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History: Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- "Junior H Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Cobo, Leila (August 12, 2021). "Bad Bunny Tops 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Flores, Griselda (August 18, 2022). "Bad Bunny Tops 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Ratner-Arias, Sigal (August 24, 2023). "Peso Pluma Tops 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Roiz, Jessica (June 23, 2022). "Karol G Wins Big at 2022 Premios Tu Musica Urbano: Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Roiz, Jessica (June 15, 2023). "Premios Tu Música Urbano 2023: Lista completa de ganadores". Billboard (in Spanish). Retrieved October 16, 2023.