DECEMBER'S ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: CLAVE ESPECIAL

In just a few short years, Clave Especial has gone from hometown shows in Salinas, California, to standing at the forefront of the modern Regional Mexican explosion. Their rise hasn’t been accidental, it’s built on family, discipline, and an unshakable belief in their sound, even as the genre itself continues to face public scrutiny. 

Founded in 2021 by Alex Ahumada (lead vocals) and his cousin, Leonardo Lomeli (lead guitar), Clave Especial was born out of shared history and ambition. Both grew up in Salinas as children of Mexican immigrants who worked as farm workers, an experience that deeply shaped their worldview and music. Later joined by Rogelio Gonzalez, the trio completed the lineup that would soon capture national attention. Notably, all three members are college graduates, a fact that speaks to the calculated risk they took when they chose to fully commit to music. 

Their first release came the same year. En Clave, Vol. 1 was a live album that introduced listeners to their raw, unfiltered energy. Tracks like “El Tranki” hinted at what was coming next which was a group rooted in corrido tradition but in afraid to push forward. That promise fully materialized in 2023 with the release of “Rapido Soy”, a breakout single that went viral on social media platforms and has since amassed 179 million streams on Spotify, firmly establishing Clave Especial as a force in the genre. 

That same year, the band signed with Street Mob Records, aligning themselves with one of the most influential movements in contemporary Regional Mexican music. Momentum continued to build in 2024 when Street Mob partnered with Warner Music Latina, bringing Clave Especial onto a global stage. They hit the road as co-headliners on the Street Mob Tour alongside Calle 24 and Chino Pacas, further solidifying their presence with fans nationwide. 

Collaborations played a key role in expanding their reach. From teaming up with Luis R. Conriquez on “No Son Doritos” to releasing “No Pasa Nada” with Fuerza Regida, Clave Especial proved they could hold their own alongside the genre’s heavy hitters. Festival stages followed such as Mexico City’s ARRE Festival, the largest Regional Mexican festival in the country, and appearing at the inaugural Don’t Fall in Love Fest in San Bernardino. 

Their ascent didn’t go unnoticed. Spotify named Clave Especial one of its four “Artists to Watch” in the Latin music category, a nod to both their streaming power and cultural impact. 

On February 20, 2025 Clave Especial reached a major milestone with the release of their debut studio album, MIJA NO TE ASUSTES. The project charted on the US Billboard 200 for 17 weeks, peaking at No. 91, and was later certified Platinum in the Latin field, a rare achievement for a debut corrido album. They supported the release with the MIJA NO TE ASUSTES Tour, a 17-date national run that concluded with a defining moment at the Hollywood Palladium. 

Perhaps most defining is Clave Especial’s stance on corrido themselves. At a time when the genre has faced government pushback and attempts at censorship, the group has fearlessly continued to perform and promote corrido music at every show, standing firm in their cultural expression and artistic freedom. 

Clave Especial’s story is one of heritage, resilience, and evolution. From the fields of Salinas to platinum plaques and sold-out venues, they represent a new generation of Regional Mexican artists, educated, intentional, and unapologetically proud of where they came from.

Written by: Ana Oquendo

Photographed by: Steven Esperanza