In a remarkable demonstration of perseverance, veteran Mexican artist Mister Chivo has achieved his first No. 1 on the Billboard charts after more than three decades in the music industry. The group from Tamaulipas, Mexico finally reached this milestone with their single “¿Qué haces por acá?” which topped the Regional Mexican Airplay chart on October 18, 2025, marking a significant breakthrough in their long-standing career.
Prior to this achievement, Mister Chivo’s Billboard appearances were limited to album entries in the 1980s, 1991, and 2019, none of which produced chart-topping songs. Their collaboration with the Texan band Grupo Frontera proved instrumental in securing this long-awaited success. The song’s rise to the top position represents a major industry recognition for an artist who has dedicated his life to regional Mexican music. The single, released on June 11, 2025, under the independent BorderTown label, accumulated 6.9 million audience impressions in the U.S. for the week ending October 9, representing a 3% increase from the previous week.
The song, which honors the classic 1970s cumbia sound while incorporating fresh elements, has maintained strong performance across multiple charts, holding the No. 4 position on the Latin Airplay chart with over 7 million impressions for two consecutive weeks. This achievement represents the first No. 1 hit for the BorderTown label as well. This success marks Grupo Frontera’s thirteenth No. 1 in just a two-year period, further solidifying their dominance in the genre.
“¿Qué haces por acá?” appears on Grupo Frontera’s “Y Lo Que Viene” EP, which features multiple collaborations designed to blend veteran and contemporary Latin music styles. The track is now available across all streaming platforms, allowing both longtime fans and new listeners to discover this breakout hit. The track’s lyrics focus on themes of romantic regret and moving on, with a questioning chorus that emphasizes uncertainty and closure.
The historic chart success demonstrates that veteran groups can achieve renewed recognition through strategic modern collaborations. Music industry observers note that this milestone sets a precedent for cross-generational partnerships in Regional Mexican music, while highlighting the increasing prominence of cumbia-rooted sounds in contemporary Latin music. The success story was bolstered by an effective pre-save campaign and social media strategy that connected with both longtime fans and new audiences.
The song is available on major streaming platforms, allowing fans both old and new to experience this fusion of traditional and modern Regional Mexican music styles.
