Cumbia, Rap and Mexican Pride: Santa Fe Klan Slays Coachella Debut

Under the blazing desert sun, chants of “Mexico” echoed through the Coachella Valley. Santa Fe Klan emerged, his accordion in hand, as a massive silver inflatable “SFK” loomed behind him. His Coachella debut on Saturday (April 13) at 4:45 p.m. PT was a memorable moment.

Kicking off with the infectious rhythm of “Cuidando El Territorio,” the rapper wasted no time amping the crowd’s energy. “¡Y arriba México, cabrones!” he shouted, igniting a wave of Mexican pride that swept through the audience at the Coachella main stage.

Sporting an oversized black jersey emblazoned with the numbers “473,” the area code of his native Santa Fe, Guanajuato, the wordsmith delivered a riveting showcase. From the gritty bars of “Cypher” to the heartfelt melodies of “Mi Vicio,” and the poetic prowess of “Luna y Mar,” he effortlessly blended rap, cumbia, and Mexican symbolism.

Accompanied by a crew of dancers clad in bulletproof vests, army cargo pants and bandanas, and a full band consisting of a drummer, bassist, guitarist and DJ, the Mexican star’s presence was undeniable. As he picked up his accordion, the crowd erupted into a frenzy, ready to dance to the infectious cumbia sonidera of “Soledad.” “Vamos a bailar cumbia,” he asserted.

But his performance was more than just music — it was a celebration of Mexican culture, the barrio life and resilience. “Con la bandera arriba, ¡que se sienta México!” he exclaimed, expressing gratitude to his fans and honoring his heritage.

Guest appearances added to the spectacle, with poet/rapper Nanpa Básico from Colombia joining SFK on stage for a soulful rap rendition of “Te Iré A Buscar.” Later, “Tornillo” took the spotlight, delivering a powerful performance of “Un Día Todo Se Termina (Remix)” alongside the star of the show.

Midway through his set, the artist took off his shirt to demonstrate his fully tattooed body with stunning portraits of Mexican idols like Chalino Sánchez and Pedro Infante.

As his set drew to a close, the Guanajuato native paid tribute to his late comrade Lefty SM with a heartfelt rendition of “Por Mi Bandera,” from their joint 2020 album Necesidad. Mexican flags waved proudly, decorating the desert as Santa Fe Klan’s growing legacy echoed through the Coachella Valley.

The day before, on Day 1 of the festival, Santa Fe Klan surprised fans during Peso Pluma’s set with an electrifying rendition of “NO SON KLLE,” cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with.