Approaching the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the energy was palpable—reverberating through the streets of Mexico City long before entering the festival grounds.
Over 100,000 festival-goers from all corners of the world buzzed with anticipation. The stage—well, nine stages, actually—was set for another weekend of the annual Electric Daisy Carnival in Mexico City. Part of the global EDC franchise, which spans countries like the United States and Japan, the event unveiled an immersive experience filled with pulsating electronic music, stunning light displays, and boundless energy.
Among the highly anticipated artists on the lineup was Gordo, known for his unique blend of electronic house music and hip-hop sensibilities. His inclusion in the EDC lineup brings a multifaceted energy to the stage, setting him apart from many other acts, who are strictly EDM.
I spent most of the day with Gordo as he prepared for his set on Friday, the opening night of the three-day festival. Talking to him before he went on stage, he was locked into the moment. “Culturally, I’ve done things that very few people have done—discovering artists, creating cult classics, and contributing important records to urban hip-hop culture,” Gordo said. “When you walk into a festival today, it’s mind-blowing. I’m performing in front of 60,000 people—Taylor Swift-level numbers—and yet, out of all the DJs here, I’m the only one who wears jewelry, the only one who can say ‘n*gga.’ You see, it’s just this unique, almost an anomaly.”
Gordo’s influence reaches far beyond the electronic dance music scene. His roots in hip-hop culture are just as significant as his impact on the electronic world. Before adopting the name Gordo, the artist was known as DJ Carnage, a persona under which he crafted well known rap festival anthems of the 2010s.
“What’s crazy is that I’ve been involved with artists whose biggest festival tracks are connected to me,” he said. “If you go to a Lil Yachty show, his biggest song is ‘Mase in ‘97,’ at a Lil Pump show it’s ‘I Shyne,’ and with Lil Uzi Vert, it’s ‘WDYW.’”
As Gordo has evolved, his shift from hip-hop to electronic music hasn’t been just about changing genres—it’s been about broadening the global musical landscape. His production on Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind album marked a pivotal moment in his career, blending house and dance influences with the global icon’s signature sound. “I was blessed to take big ropes on that,” Gordo says of his work with Drake. Gordo, also contributed to the rapper’s latest album, $ome $exy $ongs with PARTYNEXTDOOR. “And now, with ‘Gimme a Hug,’ there’s just so many things you can see but you can’t understand.”
Throughout his 13-year career, Gordo has successfully navigated both the electronic/house and hip-hop worlds. At the same time, the Nicaraguan-American artist has managed to remain deeply connected to his Latin roots.
Gordo’s collaborations with Latin artists like Feid on “Hombres y Mujeres” and Maluma and Fuerza Regida on “Valeria” have become bangers in clubs and festivals across Mexico and Colombia. These tracks blend infectious Latin rhythms with pulsating dance beats, creating a cross-cultural sound that can take over dancefloors.
In December 2024, Gordo released No Hay Verano Sin Gordo, an EP that pushes the boundaries of genre fusion by blending Latin rhythms with electronic beats in innovative ways. Featuring collaborations with artists from Argentina, Puerto Rico, and beyond, the project showcases his deep connection to Latin music and his ability to bridge cultures. With guest appearances from Emilia and Eladio Carrion, Gordo continues to stay true to his Latin roots.
“The only people who truly get it are Hispanics,” Gordo said. “You have to understand the Spanish world to know what I’m doing. It’s like, if you understand hip-hop culture, dance culture, and the Spanish side of things, then you’ll get it. What I’ve achieved in the past 12 years is something no one will ever do again.”
View news Source: https://www.complex.com/music/a/alejandro-de-jesus/gordo-edc-mexico-city-edm
