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Regional Mexican music is dominating the Billboard charts thanks to artists such as Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, Carin León, Banda MS and Edén Muñoz. Overall, the Mexican style is having an unprecedented year, with consumption up 42.1% so far in 2023, outpacing all genres except K-pop, which is up 49.4%. As of July 15 alone, 27 Mexican regional tracks entered the Billboard Hot 100.
But what, exactly, is Mexican music — or as it is better known in many places, regional Mexican music?
The general term encompasses many subgenres, from corridos and mariachi to norteño and banda. Historically, Mexican music — alive for more than a century and a half — has had a strong presence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Mariachi was symbolic of Mexico internationally, with which the country was recognized by outsiders. It is arguably the most international Mexican style, thanks to legends such as Vicente Fernández — and, before him, Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete and José Alfredo Jiménez, during the great Golden Age of Mexican cinema in the 1950s.
Two decades ago, the rise of Sinaloan banda and norteño music (named after the region where it was born) came to complement the strength of Mexican music with new sounds and new forms.
For example, pioneering artists like Sinaloa native Ariel Camacho led the sierreño style with Los Plebes del Rancho. Although his life was cut short at the age of 22 in 2015, years later he inspired a whole group of Generation Z musicians, such as Ivan Cornejo and Yahritza y Su Esencia, who have brought the movement to the masses. Similarly, Sonora-born Natanael Cano, also inspired by Camacho, revamped the corridos with his own tumbado version and gave them a more streetwise approach, closer to the current generation.
Mexican music has gone from being a niche genre to securing a global audience thanks to a traditional musical base such as Banda MS or the revolutionary new approach of Peso Pluma. Over the last five years, the genre grew 604% in Mexico, compared to 212% in the United States and more than 400% globally on Spotify.
“Música mexicana has gone through a similar evolution that reggaetón also went through when it blew up; [the artists have] modernized the way they look, the way they write lyrics, creating a movement for their generation,” Maykol Sánchez, head of artist and label partnerships for Latin America and U.S. Latin at Spotify, previously told Billboard. “It has been a long time coming, and Mexican being such a strong culture in the U.S. with the population, it just makes sense.”
Across the border, in the United States — home to the second largest Mexican community in the world — this genre is constantly evolving and continues to be the soundtrack of multigenerational households. Below, Billboard Español dissects the nuances and rhythms that exist within the burgeoning Mexican music scene.
— With additional reporting by Griselda Flores and Isabela Raygoza.
Mariachi
Almost two weeks ago, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español revealed our picks for “The 50 Most Essential Spanish-Language Rappers of Yesterday and Today,” honoring the most influential and outstanding rap stars from the Hispanophone world in celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary.
The selection process of the ranked list — which was led by Residente at No. 1, followed by Vico C at No. 2, Ana Tijoux at No.3, Tego Calderón at No. 4, and Orishas at No. 5 — took into account body of work/achievements (charted releases, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impact/influence (how the artist’s work fostered the genre’s evolution), longevity (years at the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills) and flow (vocal prowess).
On social media, the ranking became a viral topic of conversation amongst fans, podcasters and artists alike, who shared different opinions and points of view on who should be at No. 1. As a result, Billboard opened a fan-based poll to the public, asking readers to vote for their favorite artist from the 50 acts.
The winner? MC Ceja, nabbing over 30 percent of the votes. He was followed by the late Venezuelan artist Canserbero, with more than 17 percent of the votes.
“At first I was confused, because a lot of people were hitting me up on social media and they seemed pretty upset by it, saying that I needed to be in the top 10 or top 5,” Ceja tells Billboard. “But it felt good to still be acknowledged and for people to still listen to my music after all these years. I feel great and grateful because it signifies my legacy, my talent, my effort, and my career.”
Named after his heavy set of eyebrows, Ceja is a Puerto Rican-born, Brooklyn-raised artist, who is credited as one of the first rappers of the ‘90s to spit bars in both Spanish and English. Known for staple tracks such as “Se Lamentarán,” “Bacalao,” “Loba” and “Brillando Más,” Ceja is an enduring reference point in the Latin rap community, influencing several artists who ranked high on the list, including Residente.
“The key is the passion I always had for music and the culture,” he explains. “I always tried to be different from everyone and build my own style and craft, not knowing I was going to influence all of these artists and the generations after me. I’ve always been faithful to rap music because it makes me feel good. I don’t do music to please other people. Music saved my life.”
Below, check out our readers’ top 10 Latin rappers picks, and see the full poll results here.
Los Aldeanos
On Monday (Aug. 21), Miguel Bosé shared that he was the victim of an assault by armed men at his home in Mexico City, where he was held hostage along with his two children by 10 hooded men on Friday. Local authorities say they have opened an investigation.
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“Dear friends, on Friday night a commando of 10 armed subjects broke into my home, assaulted us, tied my children, the house staff, and myself for more than two hours,” the Spanish star wrote on his official Instagram account.
The “Si Tú No Vuelves” singer assured that everyone is fine, although he said the thieves took “everything” in an act that, in his opinion, seemed “very studied and militaristic.”
“It was all very tense, tricky and unpleasant,” he said, but “we are all fine. My children behaved like two brave men. Admirable.”
He did not specify, however, whether he had reported or will report the crime to the authorities. The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office reported in a statement that it had already opened an investigation folder after the dissemination in the media of a “possible robbery at the home of a foreign singer, located in the Álvaro Obregón Mayor’s Office.”
The agency specified that, so far, “neither the victim and/or his legal representative, nor the administration of the residential complex where the events occurred have appeared before this Prosecutor’s Office to denounce the crime.” He invited Bosé and/or his legal representative to file a formal complaint.
In his Instagram post, Bosé also asked his followers to listen to his version and not to pay attention to rumors. In this sense, he clarified that he does not plan to leave Mexico, the country where he has lived since he left Panama in the fall of 2018. The artist lives in one of the most exclusive areas of the Mexican capital.
“I am very sorry to disappoint you, here I am and here I will stay to face whatever it takes, in the most hospitable country on the planet. We go on…”, he concluded in his post.
A wave of supportive messages have circulated social media following the 67-year-old singer and actor’s revelation, including from Mexican singers Carlos Rivera and Ximena Sariñana, as well as Italian singer Laura Pausini and Colombian star Carlos Vives, who left comments on the post.
“Migue all my solidarity to you and your family. I send you a big hug and we are glad you are well,” Vives wrote.
“Stay strong Miguel, I love you! I’m glad everyone is well,” wrote Mexican film and TV director Manolo Caro.
Miguel Bosé’s full message in Spanish below:
Mexican music band Grupo Firme has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company announced Monday (Aug. 21). The band’s independent label, Music VIP Entertainment, is also part of the deal. “UMPG has earned a place in regional Mexican as the leading publisher, and this gives us all the […]
Colombian superstar Karol G has officially kicked off her Mañana Será Bonito Tour, her first-ever stadium outing, named after her history-making fourth album. Karol began her trek on Aug. 10 in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium. Then, on Aug. 14, she performed at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. In Los Angeles, stars […]
Anitta‘s Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story tops this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 18) on Billboard, choosing the carioca funk trilogy as their favorite new music release of the past week. Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story brought in more than half of the vote, coming in at […]
Legendary Mexican band Bronco made a stop in New York’s UBS Arena on Saturday (Aug. 19) to deliver their signature grupera swagger with a heady repertoire that spanned decades. With a storied career that has garnered them an ardent international following, their concert was an electrifying spectacle that blended nostalgia with contemporary energy, a todo […]
From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and those little, important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Maffio Covers a Rock n’ Roll Classic
Maffio has teamed up with rising salsa newcomer (and a former Billboard On the Radar Latin artist) Christian Alicea for a new rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” in collaboration with Maffio’s own musical band, El Revulú. Called “Bailame Con Actitud (Blue Suede Shoes),” the track fuses rock n’ roll with salsa, resulting in a refreshing Latin banger. The collaboration forms part of the new Paramount Plus documentary “Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback,” where Maffio is the only Latin artist onboard the project. In an Instagram Live with Billboard Latin, the Dominican producer talked about the documentary, Presley’s influence in his own career, and the Alicea collab. Watch it here.
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A “Bandoleros” Reunion
Earlier this week, three reggaeton icons—Don Omar, Tego Calderón, and Arcángel—became a trending topic after performing “Bandoleros” at the 2023 Baja Beach Fest in Rosarito, Mexico. “Last night I sang next to my favorite bandoleros (bandits). It was an unforgettable night for me,” expressed Don Omar in an Instagram post. “Bandoleros” was originally recorded by Don and Tego in 2005 for The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift movie soundtrack. Watch the emotional performance below:
Café Tacvba To Receive Special Award
This week, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced that Mexican rock band Café Tacvba will be honored with the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Arts Award at the 36th annual gala set for Sept. 7 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. “A great honor [and] emotion to be part of this,” expressed the group on Instagram. “We are very grateful for the recognition of our trajectory!” Celebrating a 34-year career, Café Tacvba is known for timeless Latin rock hits including “La Ingrata,” “Eres,” “Chilanga Banda,” and many more.
“Café Tacvba has been inspiring audiences with their brilliant, eclectic sound for decades since they started in Mexico,” said Antonio Tijerino, HHF President and CEO, in a press statement. “We are thrilled to honor this remarkable group of musical visionaries with our Arts Award and we look forward to celebrating Café Tacvba and share our collective cultural pride and achievement at the Kennedy Center and on PBS.” The Hispanic Heritage Arts Awards will broadcast on PBS and stream on PBS.org on Sept. 29th.
Sebastian Yatra Enters His Tennis Star Era
Yatra is taking a break from music and channeling his inner athlete. This week, the Colombian pop star posted a video where he’s seen training with tennis star Rafael Nadal for his upcoming U.S. Open charity match against another tennis great, Carlos Alcaraz. In the clip, he’s seen educating himself on the sport and very determined to take the trophy home. “Getting trained by the one and only Rafael Nadal to play with the world No. 1,” he wrote on Instagram. The match, called “Stars of the Open,” will take place on August 23rd at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. Tickets can be purchased here.
Latin Music Week’s New Wave of Artists
Billboard Latin Music Week unleashed its phase two, announcing Feid, Manuel Turizo, Myke Towers, Chencho Corleones, and RBD’s Christopher von Uckermann, Christian Chávez, and Maite Perroni as confirmed acts. Other artists set for the coveted music conference are Shakira, Arcangel, Peso Pluma, Young Miko, and many more. Billboard Latin Music returns to Miami’s Faena Forum the week of Oct. 2-6, and coincides with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Watsco Center in Miami, and will broadcast live on Telemundo.
Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.
Webster “Yenddi” Batista Fernandez, one of the leaders of the largest-known YouTube music royalty scam in history, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison on Tuesday (Aug. 15). The court documents were made publicly available on Friday.
According to court documents, Batista is ordered to serve 46 months in prison for one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. Upon his release from prison, he will be placed on supervised release for 36 months.
From about 2016-2021, Batista and his partner, Jose “Chenel” Teran, ran MediaMuv, a music company that claimed ownership of and collected YouTube royalties from over 50,000 songs, despite not having legal rights to nearly any of those works. The victims were primarily from Latin genres and ranged from hobbyist musicians to global superstars like Julio Iglesias, Don Omar, Anuel AA, Prince Royce and more.
Batista and Teran were ultimately indicted on 30 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft in November 2021. Six months later, Batista accepted a plea deal, admitting to one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. His partner, however, did not plead guilty and accept a plea deal until just before the start of his Jan. 17 trial date. Ultimately, Teran admitted guilt to single counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and transactional money laundering.
Teran was given a heftier sentence than his counterpart — in late June, he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for his involvement in the scheme. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Teran’s sentence was “undoubtedly substantial” but reflects a desire to “deter future conduct” similar to the MediaMuv scam. The document adds that Teran is at high risk to re-offend, given his interest in returning to the music business after prison and the sheer scale and savviness of his scam.
“In particular, the government is alarmed that even news of his indictment did not stop Teran,” says the court document. After his indictment, the document revealed that Teran siphoned another $190,000 of stolen royalties and moved those funds to a bank account “out of the government’s reach.”
A court document filed on Aug. 7 claimed that Batista is working toward rehabilitation and should receive more leniency in his sentence as a result. “He wanted to rehabilitate his life” since his arrest in November 2021, says the sentencing memorandum. “[He] participated in Hustle 2.0, which is a self-directed learning program designed for incarcerated individuals to give them the tools for rehabilitation.” On May 3, 2023, Batista received a certificate for completing its “pre-season program.”
Many of the artists whose works were claimed and stolen from by MediaMuv are still unaware. To check and see if you are a victim, please click here and contact victim witness specialist Todd McKenney, todd.mckenney@usdoj.gov.
This week, our New Music Latin roundup — a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — is powered by new music from Mon Laferte, Maluma, RBD, Ha*Ash and Anitta, to name a few. Chilean singer-songwriter Mon Laferte delivered a slow, deep, sad song about a young woman who leaves her hometown […]