Brotherly Trio Latin Mafia Brought Mexican Pride to Miami Beach

Rarely do you see Mexican flags being waved in unison at a Miami venue, but Friday, February 7, at the Fillmore Miami Beach was an exception. Mexican rock/R&B trio Latin Mafia delivered an electrifying and eclectic performance that left the crowd in awe.

The show kicked off at 8:45 p.m. with brothers Milton, Emilio, and Mike emerging on stage wearing camera rigs that broadcasted a first-person POV of their journey from the dressing room to the stage. As the intro to "Siento Que Merezco Más" played, the crowd erupted into the first of many chants of "¡México!" — a theme that carried through the night.

The stage design was strikingly raw and intimate, adorned with scattered clothing and an exposed instrument setup reminiscent of Frank Ocean's 2017 festival run — and perhaps a nod to one of the group's inspirations. The visuals channeled a Harmony Korine-like aesthetic, blending POV shots, internet videos, and memes under a nostalgic 2000s video filter. This seamless interplay of sound and visuals evoked feelings of intimacy and nostalgia, mirroring the essence of Latin Mafia's music.

The energy in the building was palpable, with the pit erupting in synchronized movement and fans passionately singing every lyric. Twin brothers and frontmen Milton and Emilio proved to be dynamic performers, bouncing across the stage with infectious energy and delivering heartfelt vocals that resonated with the crowd.

While Latin Mafia's fanbase may be smaller than other Latino artists, their dedication is undeniable. Fans waved Mexican flags high and chanted "¡Viva México!" throughout the night, creating an atmosphere of cultural pride and unity.

"¡Miami, ustedes son la puta verga!" one of the brothers yelled as the fans cheered as "Se Fue La Luz" began, and we were treated to a light show that everyone seemed to join in during the show.

Latin Mafia's defining characteristic is the trio's ability to blend and genre hop, something that was clearly evident during the show during songs like "Sentando Aquí," inspired by 1980s postpunk. During the performance, one of the brothers ran shirtless off and around the stage with a camera rig strapped to his chest.

One of the most hyped songs of the night was "2:12," the group's collaboration with Puerto Rican superstar Rauw Alejandro for his album Cosa Nuestra. Rauw described it as a Beatles-influenced track, something that was undeniable on stage at the Fillmore as Milton and Emilio morphed into full-fledged rock stars. During the climactic bridge, the brothers sang loudly, "Ya se que no eres mia, pero yo te quiero tocar," right before a soulful guitar solo.

Still, if there was one thing that could have made the show any better, it would have been scrapping the backing track and opting for live instrumentation, which would have helped to amplify the intensity and emotion of some of the songs.

Despite standing behind a mixer for most of the show, Mike, the eldest brother and the group's primary producer, managed to remain engaged. He sang portions of the song like a hype man would at a hip-hop show. During the latter portion of the show, he brought a Mexican flag, eliciting an energetic response from the crowd.

Of course, this being Miami, you have to have a perreo, which Latin Mafia delivered with their performance of "Julietota." It played after the ballad "Julieta," which served as the perfect juxtaposition of the reggaeton-influenced banger "Julietota," with all the women at the Fillmore singing "La gente está bellaqueando" and dancing along.

After that, a moshing how-to video played as the intro to "Qué Vamos a Hacer?" slowly getting louder. Soon, the mosh pit in front of the stage began to grow. For a second, it was like we were back at Rolling Loud for one of Ken Carson's sets as the trap-influenced intro set off.

Most of the show had this sad indie-boy vibe that Latin Mafia is well known for, thanks to influences ranging from Steve Lacy to Swedish House Mafia. At times, it felt like everyone was participating in a group therapy session, especially during the ballads and slower-tempo songs. This only helped intensify the connection between the audience and the brothers.

The night ended the way it began, with the set opener, "Siento Que Merezco Más," as the group thanked the crowd, bowing before exiting.