Music

Chyno y Nacho has become one of Latin music’s most emblematic duos, achieving various No. 1 Billboard hits, four Billboard Latin Music Awards and a Latin Grammy win, while releasing six studio albums. 

Now, after parting ways in 2017 and a serious health condition that affected the mobility of one of the members, the duo composed of Jesus “Chyno” Miranda and Miguel Ignacio “Nacho” Mendoza is making a comeback, with a five-date U.S. tour called Eternos. The duo officially launch its new era with new single “Tu Nombre,” which they will perform at the 2024 Heat Latin Music Awards taking place on Thursday (July 11) in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. 

“We are happy with the opportunities that life gives us to start over, and to appreciate the second chances,” Mendoza tells Billboard. “Today, we feel stronger than ever, and we feel that there are no challenges that we cannot measure ourselves against.”

The highly awaited return comes in the midst of Miranda’s arduous health recovery. 

In 2020, the Venezuelan singer was diagnosed with COVID-19, and as a result suffered peripheral neuropathy, encephalitis, and other long-term COVID symptoms that affected his nervous system. Miranda had to learn to walk again and battled depression, among other collateral health complications.

The “Niña Bonita” singer was moved to Venezuela for his recovery, where for almost all of 2022 he was admitted to the Tía Panchita rehabilitation center. Since entering the rehab facility, all of Miranda’s loved ones, including Nacho, lost touch with the artist. Nacho describes not having access to his bandmate as a mystery, because for many months they were unsure of Miranda’s health condition. 

“Many people in Venezuela who had the resources went behind the case and made it possible to remove him from the center he was in,” he recalls. “From that point on, we [Chyno y Nacho] have not been separated.”

Nacho admits that Miranda is still recovering — but thanks to music, he’s been able to heal and improve, and is capable of going on tour. Chyno y Nacho is set to make a comeback with its Eternos Tour set to kick off September 28 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The duo will also visit Puerto Rico, Houston, New York, and Orlando. 

Below, read Nacho’s Q&A with Billboard.

What does the Chyno y Nacho comeback at Heat Latin Music Awards signify? 

My heart feels like taking advantage of the time — because time goes by very quickly. You don’t realize how the years go by, how what you do affects the lives of others. Only time tells you, and today we realize that we have left a beautiful legacy and touched the hearts of millions of people around the world, and that there are many young people who were inspired by our careers and efforts. Thanks to that, they have an example of being able to develop their own careers, and that makes us feel very good.

You guys will be performing your new single at the awards show. What can you share about “Tu Nombre”?

This song is like a warm-up for the return. It came out as a soft release, but we trust our fan base and we know that people are always looking for new things from Chyno and Nacho, and that the discovery of new things begins. It has a fairly fresh sound, and it defines a lot of the essence of Chyno and Nacho but in 2024. We feel the energy when we are on stage, we see the people’s reaction to the song. Seriously, the feedback has been great — and we hope that this performance [at Premios Heat] serves as a window, so that people not only find out about the union and the tour, but also that they know that we are here to make new content.

Chyno y Nacho made a brief return in 2021 with the album Chino & Nacho Is Back, but then stopped making music. Why is 2024 the adequate time for the tour and comeback?

In 2021, just when we released the album, my partner’s health complications began to worsen and [music plans] was something that we had to abandon. There were people who connected with songs from the album, but in reality, all the attention was focused on the development of my partner’s illness. We abandoned the musical theme a little, and it was as if we couldn’t do anything because the intention was to unite and show our new projects. 

I think the issue of the pandemic also crossed our intentions. But hey, God knows what his plans are, and at work we simply accepted what the result was. Those three years were years of personal struggle for each one. But you know that kings are made in the desert, and after having that resistance and walking through those personal deserts, today we feel more strengthened than ever — and we feel that there are no challenges that we cannot measure ourselves against.

It’s been a very challenging road for Chyno, but I can imagine that as his duo partner, it’s been difficult for you as well. How has this entire process been for you?

[We see] the opportunity that God gave us to recognize and value a friendship that is still valid. We had our downfalls as friends, our disagreements, but I believe that the courage of human beings is not in maintaining the best attitude all the time, but in recognizing how you can get back into the best vibes and tunes, and also recognize your blessings.

I believe that those 10 years that we lasted as a duo, plus the previous years that we were in other groups, are worth a lot. I have shared more with Chyno than with my own blood brothers. Having entered into those discussions, it was simply a process for us to be able to understand how strong our friendship was, and how much we should value the gift that God gave us both of being able to have a prosperous career and being able to gather experiences together that are unforgettable .

I see it as the opportunity for both of us to see how we can improve everything we have … Each one [of us] had their personal process, but I think his was much more difficult, because he went through certain situations that I went through — such as divorce, for example — but he also has a health issue. I feel that his strength has been more noticeable, and the battles he has had to fight have been stronger. If I have the opportunity to be able to accompany him in those battles and carry on my shoulder some of those weights that he has to carry, with all my pleasure, at this moment I have all the disposition in the world to do it.

When did you realize that Chyno was ready to continue with his music career and go on tour? 

I think it was circumstantial, because I was one of those friends and family who couldn’t find his whereabouts. We didn’t know where he was, where they had him hidden. It was difficult. It is a process that today I can tell you, we are together and living a new reality, but our fans don’t know the entire trajectory of us being able to be with him again, and being able to tell him, “Look, we are going to continue doing what is really going to bring you back — which is music, and what you are really passionate about.”

From that point on, we have not been separated. Music is the best medicine, because the evolution that he has [gone through] has been demonstrated in the last months. Now, he’s ready to go on tour, for example. A couple of years ago it didn’t even cross our minds, based on his condition.

In addition to Eternos Tour, what does the future look like for Chyno y Nacho, in terms of new projects?

The new album is a possibility — it is very feasible to do it in the future. For now, we are releasing “Tu Nombre,” because he still has certain current commitments with his recording label that he has to fulfill individually. When we decided to go our separate ways, we approached new contracts as individuals, and he is still going through that process of being able to deliver what he has as part of his musical debt.

We have to see what the permit issue is like — I don’t think his record company will disagree with us continuing to do things together. I think it is the best alternative at this moment for his musical career, his development, and his improvement.

Five months after releasing the first single from what will be his next album, Mexican singer-songwriter Alfredo Olivas offers another preview with “Imaginación,” a norteño song with country elements that follows the same line of his “Asignatura Pendiente” released in February.

“That sound that has worked for us and that people like a lot is something that already distinguishes Alfredo Olivas’ music — and this song could not be the exception,” the artist tells Billboard Español. Announced as the focus track of his new LP, due out soon on Fonovisa/Universal Music, “Imaginación” debuts Thursday (July 11) at 8 p.m. ET and will be available here.

A little more than a decade into his career, Olivas has been consolidating himself as one of the most important singer-songwriters of the regional Mexican music scene. The artist from Sonora, Mexico has a resumé full of accomplishments, ranging from pioneering the corridos alterados, which predate the corridos tumbados and bélicos, to a score of Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart entries, including three No. 1s: “El Problema,” “Yo Todo Lo Doy” and “No.”

In 2023, the 30-year-old singer became the highest-grossing artist in Mexico, with 71 sold-out dates in palenques, arenas and, for the first time, stadiums for a solo artist. He recently renewed his contract with Fonovisa Records-Universal Music, the company that has seen him grow professionally.

“Huge legends of Mexican music have been lost in recent years,” says Antonio Silva, managing director of Fonovisa-Disa U.S. & Mexico. “Who among the new phenomena of popularity will go on to establish themselves in far-reaching careers that will generate a legacy? It is clear to me that Alfredo Olivas will achieve that transcendence. In my perception, he has everything it takes: author of all his hits, unique lyrics and a way of performing that has forged his unique style.”

This year, Alfredo Olivas has embarked on a spectacular tour with banda-norteño star Julión Álvarez, Los Prófugos del Anexo, and for the first time in his career he recorded a duet with Alejandro Fernández, “Cobijas Ajenas,” which toppedBillboard‘s Latin Airplay chart, giving Olivas his first overall Latin radio chart leader.

Below, Olivas talks to Billboard Español about this achievement and his big current career moment.

Your lyrics are generally about heartbreak — how do you get inspired if you are in a stable relationship?

It is enough to observe what happens to many people. I express that in my style, and fortunately I have connected with my audience.

In 2023 you were the artist with the most dates in the most important venues in Mexico, including stadiums. What did this mean to you?

It was a great satisfaction, because one dreams of those moments. At the same time, it is a commitment. I have fought hard to get to this point, so I have to take great care of the quality of what I give to the public. I always dreamed of seeing myself on stage like the most important artists. I love to see what’s new in terms of production. Sometimes we have to spend a lot of money — but it doesn’t matter if it’s so that regional Mexican music can be more colorful and of higher quality, and the world can see it that way.

Are you worried about the image of regional Mexican music in the world?

Completely. Sometimes it is annoying that we are wrongly labeled; there is a lot of talent and quality. In my case, I like to have everything in order, the sequences, the setlist — but without losing the essence of our genre, which is the mischievousness and improvisation.

You are a pioneer of a generation that fueled corridos around a decade ago. What do you think of the new stars?

I think it’s very good that there are so many talents. From my point of view, it is a positive thing that they are joining the cause. These new breakthroughs are a positive thing to continue the fight that began many years ago. When Grupo Firme began to break protocols, we could see a new positive era coming for everyone.

You don’t record collaborations often — how did the duet “Cobijas Ajenas” with Alejandro Fernández come about? Did you already know each other?

Of course, there has always been a lot of admiration on my part. Two or three years ago, I had the opportunity to meet him — and although it was my dream that he would record one of my songs, I never told him, I don’t like to force things. Time went by, and now through the record label (Universal Music), they proposed it to me and of course I said yes. The song is by maestro Espinoza Paz.

How did the idea of touring with Julión Álvarez come up if you are both so successful as solo artists?

There is a very special connection, and it shows on stage — we are great friends. He recorded one of my songs, “Sin Memoria,” and made it a big hit. People like us as a duo, the proof is that we have seven sold out shows so far in 2024.

You recently renewed your contract with Universal Music/Fonovisa Records, what makes you continue working with the company after a decade?

It’s just like a marriage relationship — like keeping promises to each other, setting goals and reaching them, loving and respecting each other. I think it is very healthy to leave certain things in the hands of experts, as in this case, the record label. In this way, the artist is dedicated to focus on making music.

Los Tigres del Norte have said that you are one of the young artists they respect because you preserve the traditional style of regional Mexican music. Would you also collaborate with them?

It would blow my mind — I am the first to raise my hand. If they would consider me it would be a tremendous achievement. And now that you mention it, of course we are going to look for that opportunity.

Last year you recorded for the first time a song that you didn’t write, “Ni Con Labios Prestados,” and it was a big hit on streaming platforms. Why did you decide to do it?

The songwriter Aarón “El Pantera” Martínez is one of those who I admire the most — and the truth is that we didn’t know each other personally, only on Instagram. But he knew, as a good poet, to write me with the right words. I listened to it, and from the first moment I liked it. To this day it is one of the most requested songs in my show.

Have you thought about recording more songs by other composers?

It happened with “Ni Con Labios Prestados,” and now with Alejandro Fernández. But I’m not going to lie to you, I have set goals for myself, and one of them is to have my own catalog. I deeply admire Joan Sebastian, Juan Gabriel and Marco Antonio Solís, they are my example to follow as singer-songwriters.