With her eclectic fusions of Música Mexicana and Latin pop, Ana Bárbara has not only molded the Regional Mexican genre but righteously earned her title of La Reina Grupera (the queen of grupera music).
In celebration of her 30-year career that has ultimately defined the grupero genre through 11 studio albums and various Billboard hits, including “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta” and “La Trampa,” Ana Bárbara will be honored with the Music Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony airing Sunday (June 9) on Telemundo.
“With so many things happening in life, to have life is a miracle,” she recently said to Billboard. “Because in 30 years, how many stories could have been written? How many were part of my songs? I can’t express enough thanks for the gratitude that my heart feels, without a doubt.”
In addition to her heartfelt creations, potent vocals and mesmerizing looks, the San Luis Potosí native is also a passionate songwriter. She’s not only penned some of her own biggest hits, such as “No Es Brujería” and “Que Poca Solos,” but she’s also composed songs for other artists.
“The songwriting part of it is very exciting,” she expressed. “It’s like, ‘Oh my God, I came up with this! Where did it come from? What part of the universe? Where was my soul?’ […] The creative process is like an adrenaline rush. Also, you know that a feeling crystallized, if you can call it that. A feeling that took shape.”
Below, check out a list of songs the Mexican star composed for some of her colleagues:
Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 will air at 9 PM ET (8 PM Central) on Sunday, June 9 via Telemundo, and can also be streamed on the Telemundo app and on Peacock.
Ángela Aguilar’s vibrant and flirty Western-style tune “En Realidad” — about confessing a crush on her best friend — was a song that was penned by Ana Bárbara and gifted to Aguilar. The latter artist will be honored with the Music Dynasty Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024. “En Realidad,” however — which was released in the midst of the pandemic and became a viral dance sensation on TikTok — was originally meant for Belinda, according to Univision.
In 2022, Ángela, Majo, and Leonardo Aguilar released a heartwarming acoustic tune called “Lo Busqué.” The country-tinged track narrates the story of someone who is in search of a wholesome and loving heart. While new generations might think this is an original bop by the talented Aguilar cousins, it’s actually a song that Ana penned and performed first in 2004.
Many artists have covered the timeless “Fruta Prohibida” (forbidden fruit), a relatable song about two past lovers who have reconnected while one is already in a relationship. Originally, the track was penned by Ana Bárbara and performed by her brothers, who formed part of Regional Mexican group Los Elegidos. In 2021, the singer recorded the song herself.
As part of her 2012 album María José…De Noche, the Mexican singer (and former vocalist of popular ’90s band Kabah) released a track called “Vete,” penned by Ana Bárbara. The song showcases Ana’s effortless penmanship that can range from a saucy grupera song to a potent pop ballad. “Leave from here forever, I don’t want to see you anymore,” goes part of the chorus.
For his 2022 studio album, A La Medida, Pepe Aguilar included a melancholy mariachi song called “Es Culpa Mía” (it’s my fault) that was written by Ana Bárbara. With lyrics such as “Yes, I failed her for not saying ‘no’ to another woman” and “I lost the love of my life,” Aguilar chants about breaking up a relationship due to an infidelity.