When JayDee sits down with Angie Martinez, it feels like a major shift in his career. The lead singer and songwriter of Herencia de Patrones is already a force in corridos, and now he is stepping into film as the star of a new Sony project, “Clique,” set for a national release in January.
JayDee’s journey did not start in big studios. He grew up in Yuba City, California, a Northern California town built on agriculture and cultural mix, where Punjabi music, rap, and corridos all collide. From around 14 to 19, he worked in the fields picking peaches, following generations of family members who did the same. Later he moved to construction, writing music on his breaks and performing whenever he could. He dropped out of high school to work, but music was always the mission.
Those early videos pulled around 100 thousand views, which felt huge then. Now the visuals deliver hundreds of millions. Herencia de Patrones has become a voice for a new generation of listeners who connect with JayDee’s approach to corridos. Instead of glorifying narco themes, he writes about real life, friendships, work, and how they move day to day, which made his music relatable and refreshing.
That same truth forms the heart of “Clique.” In the film, JayDee plays “Cheeto,” a character inspired by his younger self, a kid trying to escape the limitations of field work and chase something bigger. The movie is being described as one of the first major Mexican American culture films for Gen Z, created for young people who grew up bilingual and bicultural. JayDee learned acting on set with help from the cast and directors, and the film took four years to fully complete. Alongside it, he is dropping an exclusive album tied to the movie, with soundtrack placements and hidden Easter eggs for fans.
In the interview, JayDee and Angie also talk about the evolution of corridos. He sees the genre expanding with new flows, new instruments, and fresh experimentation, all while staying rooted in storytelling. Some older listeners pushed back at first, but over time, the younger audience embraced his perspective.
The interview also gives a clear look at JayDee’s personality. He is laid back, but extremely disciplined. His biggest pet peeve is procrastination if something is discussed, he wants it done. He jokes about his “superpowers,” which include cooking and being naturally athletic in nearly every sport. His go to dish, chipotle chicken pasta, gets a full ten out of ten from him. And lately, golf has him in a chokehold. His dream is to play with Tiger Woods one day, ideally with Michael Jordan in the same foursome.
He is not big on drinking, preferring to smoke and keep things chill. During Angie’s “Check It or Let It Slide,” he reveals he stays out of unnecessary drama unless it involves protecting a friend. That mix of calm and confidence is part of what helped him climb from field work to global streams to now starring in a nationwide film.
By the end of the conversation, JayDee emerges as a new kind of Mexican American storyteller: proud of where he comes from, focused on discipline, open to new lanes, and ready to carry his story into film and beyond. “Clique” is just the beginning.