Jimmy Humilde, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Rancho Humilde, spoke at Harvard University’s INTO THE MUSIC event held at the historic Sever Hall.
Founded in 2008, Rancho Humilde has been instrumental in reshaping the regional Mexican music scene for a younger, global audience. What started as a dream in Compton is now a cultural powerhouse that’s launched careers of mega-artists like Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, and Junior H. Think of it as the Interscope of corridos tumbados—except with more banda and fewer boardrooms.
Hosted by Harvard-Radcliffe Raza and NEON16—two organizations dedicated to amplifying Latino voices—the event wasn’t just a Q&A. Students, ready to soak up knowledge that doesn’t come with a textbook, listened to the part-TED Talk, part-masterclass, part-motivational sermon with the kind of authenticity that doesn’t come with a syllabus.
“A statement from the company discloses that Jimmy shared his vision for Mexican music, Chicano identity, and the role of the Latino community in the United States, marking a significant cultural moment.”
Translation? Jimmy Humilde just took Harvard to school.
The discussion, moderated by student and Raza member Noel Mendez, covered everything from how to stay authentic in an industry that often demands compromise, to what it means to build a music empire when you’ve never set foot in a college classroom. Spoiler alert: You don’t need a degree to drop wisdom.
“I didn’t go to college,” Jimmy admitted to the students, “but I fully understand the important role that academia plays in our society.” A statement from the company further quotes him: “As Latinos, we all have a responsibility in the fight for the recognition of our roots, our traditions, and our culture.”
No notes, professor.
Rancho Humilde isn’t just a label—it’s a cultural revolution wrapped in a corrido beat and powered by a belief that young Latinos don’t need to choose between tradition and ambition. Humilde’s label is now home to over 100 artists, and his genre-blurring style has made him a leader in Latin music’s global crossover movement. But what makes him truly unique is that he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
A statement from the company describes Rancho Humilde as a platform that "understands the tradition of regional Mexican music and interprets it for a young generation of fans,” a mission that’s clearly resonating—from L.A. block parties to international stages.
And let’s talk timing. Jimmy’s Ivy League appearance follows a red-hot run for Rancho Humilde. Junior H just lit up Coachella 2025 alongside Peso Pluma (yeah, that happened), and Jimmy’s been making the rounds from SXSW to Hollywood, gearing up for the release of CLIKA, a film starring Rancho artist JayDee, coming this August from Columbia Pictures and Sony Music Latin.
If there’s a takeaway from Jimmy’s talk, it’s this: culture and ambition aren’t opposites—they’re partners. And whether you’re on stage or in a lecture hall, staying true to your roots is the real flex.
