It feels like every time you turn on a "Corridos Tumbados" playlist or scroll through TikTok, you hear that distinct, gravelly voice. You know the one. It sounds like it belongs to someone who has lived three lifetimes, probably in a dusty town in Guanajuato. But then you see the face—a kid with a sharp fade and a wide smile who looks like he should be worrying about a math test, not Billboard charts. Naturally, everyone is asking the same thing: How old is Chino Pacas, really?
The short answer? He is 19 years old.
Wait, let’s be precise. Born on October 18, 2006, Cristian Humberto Ávila Vega (his real name, for the trivia buffs) just hit that 19-year milestone a few months ago. If you feel like he’s been around forever, it’s because his explosion onto the scene happened when he was practically a child. We're talking 16 years old when "El Gordo Trae El Mando" started rattling truck speakers from Mexico to Los Angeles.
The Timeline of a Teen Phenom
It’s kinda wild to think about. Most 16-year-olds are struggling to get their driver's license. Chino, meanwhile, was busy becoming the youngest Mexican artist to ever debut on the Billboard Hot 100.
Born in Apaseo el Alto, Guanajuato, his journey didn't actually start in a recording studio. It started in a church choir. Honestly, that’s where the vocal power comes from. He was shy—really shy—so his mom pushed him to sing in church to get him out of his shell. Imagine that: the guy singing about the street life and "pacas" (stacks of cash) got his start singing hymns.
By the time he moved to Tampa, Florida, at age 12, he was already playing guitar. But the music wasn't a career yet. He was working construction. Hard labor. It’s those long hours on job sites that probably gave his voice that "old soul" texture that confuses people about his age. He sounds 35, but he’s still a teenager.
Why Chino Pacas' Age Matters to the Music
There’s a reason why people are so obsessed with how old Chino Pacas is. In the world of Regional Mexican music, there’s a massive generational shift happening. The "Old Guard" is great, but the Gen Z audience wanted something that felt like them.
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Chino represents the "Urban Sierreño" movement. It’s a mix of traditional acoustic instruments—like the bajoloche and the requinto—but with the swagger and lyrical themes of hip-hop. Because he is so young, he naturally bridges that gap. He’s not trying to be an old-school ranchera singer; he’s just being a kid from Guanajuato who grew up listening to both Drake and Fuerza Regida.
Speaking of Drake, that was a massive "wait, how old is he?" moment for the industry. When Drake—yes, that Drake—reached out to Chino to collaborate on "MODO CAPONE," Chino was only 17.
A Career That Defies the Calendar
Usually, it takes years for an artist to build the kind of discography Chino already has. By age 18, he had already dropped his debut album, Que Sigan Llegando Las Pacas. Think about that. Most of us were just trying to graduate high school, and he was managing a multi-million dollar career under Street Mob Records.
- 2023 (Age 16): Viral success with "El Gordo Trae El Mando."
- 2024 (Age 17-18): Major collaborations with Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, and Gabito Ballesteros.
- 2025 (Age 18-19): Released his second major project, CRISTIAN, proving he wasn't just a one-hit TikTok wonder.
- 2026 (Age 19): Currently headlining tours and maintaining a spot as a top-tier artist in the genre.
It isn't just about the luck of the draw. His age gives him a specific type of energy. If you’ve ever seen him live, he has this frantic, infectious joy on stage. He’s living the dream in real-time. He isn't jaded by the industry yet.
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Common Misconceptions About His Identity
People often confuse Chino with his brother, Turo Pacas. Turo is also in the music business and often performs with him. Because they look similar and are often together, fans sometimes get their ages mixed up or think they’re twins. They aren't. Chino is the younger one, though he’s often the one leading the charge in the charts.
Another thing? The name "Chino." People ask if he’s part Asian. Nope. In Mexico, "Chino" is a super common nickname for anyone with curly hair. Since Cristian has those signature curls, the name stuck. And "Pacas"? Well, that’s just about the money he’s making now.
What’s Next for the 19-Year-Old Star?
Looking at the trajectory, the question isn't just "how old is Chino Pacas," but "how far can he go before he hits 21?" He has already conquered the Latin charts. He’s already worked with global icons.
The most impressive part of his story isn't the fame, though. It’s the fact that he’s stayed remarkably grounded. In interviews, he still talks about his mom and his roots in Guanajuato with a lot of reverence. He knows he’s young. He knows he has a lot to learn. But when you have that much talent and a work ethic forged in Florida construction sites, age is just a number on a passport.
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If you’re looking to follow his journey, keep an eye on his social media around October. Every year, his birthday celebrations seem to get bigger, usually involving massive parties in Mexico or flashy new car reveals. But for now, just know that at 19, Chino Pacas is just getting started.
How to Stay Updated on Chino
- Follow Street Mob Records: This is the best way to see his official tour dates and new drops.
- Check Billboard Latin: He consistently ranks here, so it’s the best place to see his "professional" growth.
- Listen to the CRISTIAN album: If you want to hear how his voice has matured from 16 to 19, this is the definitive record to check out.
Pay attention to his upcoming collaborations in the mid-2026 season. There are rumors of more English-language crossovers that could push his brand even further into the mainstream. Whatever happens, the kid from Apaseo el Alto has already made history.