After two studio albums, a Latin Grammy nomination, and making significant inroads in the Latin music industry, Periko & Jessi León — composed of real-life couple Pedro Almeida and Jessica Bebchik — have rebranded as PJ Kids with their 5-year-old son, Milo.
Now, a family band of three (Periko on guitar, León on vocals, and Milo on drums), PJ Kids has launched their second album Somos Un Equipo, marking the first project with Milo playing the drums on all seven tracks. The bilingual children’s project includes songs about the importance of having manners, facing your fears, believing in yourself, coexisting, dreaming big, and even a nearly five-minute-long meditation for kids.
“You can’t control what your child is going to like,” León tells Billboard of her talented son. “We certainly didn’t plan on having a musical child — but that’s exactly what we got.”
Periko and Jessi first realized that Milo, born in 2020, had a musical gift as early as 11 months when he would tag along with his dad to the recording studio and be amazed by the instruments. However, it wasn’t until he turned 3 years old that he began to naturally have jam sessions with his parents at home. Today, he receives professional lessons once a week to sharpen his skills.
At only 5, Milo and his parents have already performed for a live audience at many coveted venues in Miami, including The Fillmore and James L. Knight Center. PJ Kids has also racked up nearly 40,000 subscribers on its YouTube channel since launching in spring 2025, and has collaborated with famed personalities in the Latin children’s entertainment realm, including Chiky Toonz and Aprende Peque.
“He says his life is fun,” Periko notes. “He likes performing shows. He thinks that all his friends are musicians, but he was born with a gift. We always tell him that he’s very good, that he’s strong, and that he can achieve whatever he wants.”
For the talented parents, who were nominated for best new artist at the 2014 Latin Grammys, balance is an important factor in the project.
“We don’t want to exploit our son,” León shares. “We arrange playdates, he plays soccer, and he’s very social. We adapt to his schedule and his whims because at the end of the day, he’s a 5-year-old.”
With an organic, natural and family-first mentality, PJ Kids has now grown beyond a simple passion project.
“I saw the big picture right from the moment we started playing live,” León adds. “There is such a wonderful, massive market within the world of children’s entertainment, yet so many people in the industry don’t even turn their heads in that direction. I feel that, in just the last year, we have accomplished more than we did in our entire 20-year career. Doors have opened so effortlessly; opportunities keep coming our way, and I simply cannot believe how beautiful it all is. When a project is undertaken with a crystal-clear vision, things just fall into place.”
Below, listen to Somos Un Equipo:
