The 75 Best Regional Mexican Music Artists of All Time

This legendary trio, founded in 1944 by Mexicans Alfredo Gil and Chucho Navarro, and Puerto Rican Hernando Avilés in New York, achieved worldwide fame by integrating vocal harmonies and guitar, an instrument that became central to their sound. Los Panchos’ initial repertoire was based on Mexican ranchera songs, huapango and son huasteco. The group’s interpretive style quickly took the entire continent by storm and helped popularize the bolero internationally, with its fusion of classic bolero and Latin music influences. Los Panchos’ catalog consists of more than 200 albums, and the artists the trio collaborated with include Eydie Gormé, Julio Iglesias, Pedro Infante, Lucho Gatica, Johnny Albino and María Martha Serra Lima, becoming an emblem of the musical romanticism of that era in Mexico. — NATALIA CANO

One of the most potent voices in banda music, Lizárraga was part of regional Mexican powerhouses La Adictiva and La Original Banda El Limón before embarking on a solo career in 2005. His versatility and powerful vocal range has powered love songs that he performs with pathos, rancheras that reflect his love for horses and the rancho, and witty songs that he imbues with his distinctive good humor and mischievousness. — TERE AGUILERA

Priscila Camacho and her band burst onto the norteño music scene in the mid-1990s, captivating fans of the genre with the modern, fresh image projected by its vocalist and leader, who would eventually be dubbed “The Princess of the Accordion.” The product of a family of musicians — she and her siblings Tirzo and Úrsula Sol are the children of famous composer Tirzo Paiz — her style oscillated between Tex-Mex and pop norteño fusion. The band disbanded in 2011 after the singer married Gustavo Ángel, co-founder of Los Temerarios. The vocalist then took a new direction with her musical project, and now performs Catholic music. — N.C.

There’s no doubt that Ángela was born to perform. The daughter of Pepe Aguilar and granddaughter of the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, the 21-year-old star oozes talent with her vibrant falsetto, which powers mariachi songs like “La Llorona,” “Qué Agonía” and “Ahí Donde Me Ven.” The youngest of the Aguilar dynasty, Ángela has already made a name for herself onstage — where she effortlessly sings while riding a horse (a nod to her grandparents) — and on the charts. So far, she’s landed three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart and four top 10 hits on Latin Airplay, including her first No. 1 on that chart, “Por El Contrario,” with Leonardo Aguilar and Becky G. Her latest album, Nadie Se Va Como Llegó, saw Ángela take on the role of producer, committing to opening doors to other female producers in the genre. — GRISELDA FLORES

Led by the fierce Alicia Villarreal — a cultural icon whose loose braids underneath her tejana became a signature look adopted by Mexican girls in the 1990s — Límite ushered a new era for tejano music in Mexico and the U.S. With her polished and slightly raspy vocals at the center of the group’s songs, and her regia accent from Monterrey, Nuevo León powering lyrics of love and heartbreak, sonically Límite offered tejano with a pop-norteño twist, resonating with a fervid fanbase on both sides of the border. On the charts, the group scored 18 entries on the overall Latin Airplay chart — out of those, eight reached the top 10 — and seven top 10 entries on Top Latin Albums. After Límite, Villarreal went on to have a successful career, with her debut album Soy Lo Prohibido (2001) landing at No. 1 on Top Regional Mexican Albums, and peaking at No. 3 on Top Latin Albums. — G.F.

In the 1950s, Javier Solís (real name: Gabriel Siria Levario) became one of the pioneers of the then-new musical style known as bolero-ranchero, where he typically sang heartfelt boleros accompanied by mariachis. His timeless recordings include “Sombras Nada Más,” “Esclavo y Amo,” “Payaso,” “Media Vuelta” and “En Mi Viejo San Juan” — and the first of those five was recently performed by Shakira at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico as a tribute to her father, a nod to Solís enduring legacy. Solís, alongside Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante, were known as the “Three Mexican Roosters” for their contributions to the Latin music scene and to Mexico’s golden age of cinema. — JESSICA ROIZ

It is impossible to imagine norteño music without Los Cadetes de Linares. Homero Guerrero and Lupe Tijerina formed an iconic duo for regional Mexican music during the 1970s and 1980s. Linares, Nuevo León in Monterrey was the birthplace of these performers of traditional corridos, powered by a mighty accordion, who achieved a large number of hits, including norteño anthems “El Palomito” and “No Hay Novedad,” in a relatively short period of time, with their run sadly cut short by Guerrero’s death in a car accident in 1982. Today, the duo remains a major reference point for performers of the genre. — T.A.

With his imposing stature and strong personality, El Fantasma arrived with his signature ranchero style to teach new generations the value of traditional regional music. With country ballads and songs about overcoming adversity, he has earned the respect of audiences of all ages. Born Alexander García, El Fantasma writes and performs in the traditional banda style, but he also collaborates constantly with the new generation. All told, he’s scored eight No. 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay and nine career entries on Regional Mexican Albums. Because of his powerful vocals, he has been chosen by the family of José Alfredo Jiménez to perform several of his hits, as well as an unreleased song that will soon be released. — T.A.

El Shaka, as he was known, began his career in the late 1980s with the group Los Hermanos Vega, with whom he achieved significant success before becoming a solo artist. Throughout his two-decade career, he recorded more than 30 albums, accompanied by norteño and banda sinaloense genres that suited his voice very well. From corridos to romantic pieces, the Sonoran native became one of the great stars who, in a direct attack, was murdered at the age of 41, instantly becoming a legend. — T.A.

Considered Mexico’s most famous ranchera singer, Lucha Villa was born in Ciudad Camargo, Chihuahua, in the mid-1930s, under the name Luz Elena Bejarano, and it was television producer Luis Dillon who nicknamed her Lucha Villa, a contraction of Pancho Villa and the town in Chihuahua where she lived. Her biggest early hit was a cover of José Alfredo Jiménez’s classic “La Media Vuelta.” She then became a movie star when she appeared in the 1965 film El Gallo de Oro. She recorded tribute albums to Jiménez and Juan Gabriel, and was honored by the Divo de Juárez in Las Tres Señoras in 1996 alongside Lola Beltrán and Amalia Mendoza. — N.C.

The Mexican-American group, based in Chicago, first popularized duranguense music in the 1990s, a subgenre of traditional Mexican music that is a danceable mix of traditional banda with electronic instruments, a fusion of polka and ranchera. This fast-paced style was usually accompanied by distinctive fashion and a quickstep dance known as “el pasito duranguense.” Its founder, José Luis Terrazas, was a computer programmer, but driven by nostalgia for his native Durango and the demand for regional Mexican music, he began playing percussion. In 2024, the band unveiled its well-deserved star on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame. — N.C.

A benchmark of the pasito duranguense movement, the group continues the legacy of its founder José Ángel Medina, who died during the pandemic. His son Christian Medina has carried on the musical legacy, updating hits like “Qué Voy a Hacer?” and “Amor y Lágrimas” with modern sounds while preserving the essence of duranguense, which emerged in Chicago with musicians from Durango in the early 2000s, causing a phenomenon. It is currently enjoying a resurgence, bringing together the most representative artists on tours throughout Mexico and the United States. — T.A.

Although the group was formed five decades ago by Armando Terrazas, the arrival of his daughters Marisol and Vicky changed the concept with the pasito duranguense dance movement. The Terrazas sisters became the female face of this subgenre of regional Mexican music, which made its mark in the early 2000s. On the Billboard charts, Horóscopos entered 12 songs on Latin Airplay, three of those hitting the top 10, and three leaders on Regional Mexican Albums. Now, nostalgia has brought back this upbeat, rhythmic music — and Los Horóscopos de Durango, with a new tour in full swing, is proof of this new wave and its importance within Mexican music. — T.A.

K-Paz got its start in Chicago in the early 2000s, popularizing duranguense, a danceable, polka-sounding style, with roots in the Mexican state of Durango, that powered wistful and romantic songs alike. While a handful of groups are credited for ushering the duranguense movement, fusing technobanda and tamborazo, K-Paz was at the center of it all, with Sergio Gómez as its lead singer, known for his soft and melodic vocals. He was gunned down in Mexico at age 34 in 2007 after achieving much success with K-Paz. The group scored several hits in its four-year career, with two top 10 songs on Hot Latin Songs in 2005 — “Volveré” and “Mi Credo.” K-Paz’ other hits include 2006’s “Te Vas a Arrepentir” and “Y Aquí Estoy,” featuring Ana Gabriel. — G.F.

Miguel Angulo and Miguel Montoya, both from Sinaloa, wrote a very important chapter in the history of Mexican regional music in the 1980s by pioneering the use of the 12-string requinto, which gave rise to the sierreño sound, a style that would be taken up by the legendary Ariel Camacho and later by corridos tumbados artists like Natanel Cano. Corridos and songs of love and heartbreak are part of the important catalog of this iconic duo, admired by multiple generations. — T.A.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán — the undisputed G.O.A.T. of mariachi — have been shaping and defining the Jalisco-born genre for well over a century, becoming the most influential group of its kind. Founded in 1897 in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, by Gaspar Vargas, they have elevated the traditional style both at home and internationally.

With violins, trumpets, vihuelas and guitarrones, and always impeccably dressed in charro suits, Mariachi Vargas sets the global gold standard for the genre with classics like “Son de la Negra,” “Cielito Lindo,” and “La Malagueña.” Over the decades, they’ve collaborated with legends like Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernández, and Luis Miguel, while consistently maintaining their elite status as global ambassadors of Mexican music. Whether commanding a grand stage or delivering a soul-stirring serenade, Mariachi Vargas continues to capture the heart and soul of Mexico’s musical tradition. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

One of the most influential groups of the 1980s and ’90s in norteño music, which initially dominated the border area between Mexico and Texas, they would eventually become a benchmark in Mexican music for their songs of social and political criticism, themes that were widespread throughout the country during that decade. Lalo Mora, the vocalist who embarked on a solo career, is currently participating in the highly successful Palomazo Norteño Tour in Mexico and the U.S. alongside other legends of the genre — a nod to not only to norteño music, but to Los Invasores’ relevance today. — T.A.

One of the pioneers of banda sinaloense, La Original Banda El Limón de Salvador Lizárraga is one of the longest-standing in the genre. Formed in 1965 in a small town in Sinaloa called El Limón de los Peraza, it began as a banda group but it wasn’t until 1990 that it released its first album, Puro Mazatlán, with its own vocalist, the iconic Julio Preciado. Since then, it has released more than 50 albums, 10 of which have appeared on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and seven on Regional Mexican Albums, and multiple No. 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay, including “Al Menos” and “Di Que Regresarás.” Over the years, La Original Banda El Limón has been a breeding ground for great singers, from Toño Lizárraga and Israel Valdez to Nico Flores, Jesús “Chuy” Lizárraga and El Mimoso, among others. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

The early 1990s saw the dawn of a new era in norteño music, with groups bringing new sounds to the genre. Pesado represented the new wave from Mexico, while on the other side of the border, Texan norteño groups emerged at the same time, fusing elements of rock. Over the past three decades, it has remained one of the most important exponents of this significant branch of regional Mexican music, and a reference point for the new generation of musicians. — T.A.

Paz is considered one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of the last decade in regional Mexican music. As a composer, he has written hits for the biggest stars in the genre, and as a singer, he has earned a total of five No. 1s on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart and five top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including “Lo Intentamos,” “Un Hombre Normal,” and “El Culpable.” His popularity has not only transcended borders but also social strata since his debut. He has participated as a judge in countless reality shows thanks to the respect he has earned over two decades of his career, during which he has been invited to collaborate on more than 20 projects. –– T.A.

La Arrolladora is one of the most representative groups of the Sinaloa band, derived from the split of La Banda El Limón in the late 1990s. With young voices and songs by equally fresh composers, they started their history on the right foot, contributing to one of the most successful chapters in regional Mexican music, which has continued to this day. E

arlier this year, La Arrolladora earned its 19th No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with their hit “Una Historia Mal Contada.” The group’s legacy continues with Don René Camacho, who also plays the clarinet, at the helm of La Arrolladora. The band most recently performed at capital’s Zócalo, the country’s most important public square, on Sept. 15 for the Grito de Independencia. — T.A.

Known for its signature norteño-sax sound, Conjunto Primavera emerged in the 1990s as one of the most popular and influential bands in the genre, with hits like “Necesito Decirte,” “Una Vez Más” and “Perdóname Mi Amor” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart. The band, formed by vocalist Nacho Galindo in 1978, is now led by Tony Meléndez, whose deep vocals and passionate delivery have made him a standout among a crowded field of frontmen. With 35 entries on the Top Regional Mexican Albums chart, including nine No. 1s, Conjunto Primavera continues to leave an important mark on regional Mexican music. — S.R.A

After a successful stint as lead singer with Banda Los Recoditos, the artist also known as “El poeta del amor” (The Poet of Love) embarked on a solo career with ups and downs. Thanks to Julión Álvarez’s invitation to join his tour “Mis Idolos Hoy mis amigos” (My Idols Today, My Friends), however, the Sinaloa singer reinvented himself in every way. He is currently considered the showman of regional Mexican music due to his command of the stage. Love songs, such as “Mi Enemigo El Amor” and “Música Romántica,” are the hallmark of the Sinaloa-born performer, who is celebrating 35 years in the business. — T.A.

La Original Banda El Limón and later Banda El Recodo were the groups that he stamped with his bold style, a powerful voice that is still considered one of the most respected in the banda genre. His renditions of songs by José José and Juan Gabriel, adapted to regional Mexican music and powered by brass instruments, have found commercial success and critical acclaim. Belting songs like “Costumbres” and “La Farsante,” Juan Gabriel — who penned those classics — was his mentor at the beginning of his solo career and a personal friend. Preciado is currently one of the leading figures for a new generation of singers. — T.A.

The Chihuahua-based group, which added the saxophone to norteño music for its signature sound, is considered a leader in the regional Mexican movement. Los Rieleros boasts a total of 42 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, five of those hit No. 1, including “Te Quiero Mucho,” the group’s first chart-topper, becoming its longest-leading No. 1, leading for 10 weeks between 1999 and 2000. The band has 32 total entries on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, and of those, 20 reached the top 10. With more than 50 albums in their career and multiple award nominations, they have left a valuable imprint on Mexican culture. — T.A.

With his accordion in hand, Celso Piña turned the streets of Monterrey into the epicenter of a musical revolution. Known as El Rebelde del Acordeón, he crafted his groundbreaking cumbia rebajada with a mix of ska, reggae, hip-hop and R&B. His smash hit “Cumbia Sobre El Río” — featured in the 2006 film Babel and a No. 5 hit on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart — brought his explosive sound to a global stage. His 2001 album Barrio Bravo remains a landmark in his career, combining raw street energy with uncanny experimentation. Throughout his career, he collaborated with the likes of Café Tacvba (Lila Downs, Julieta Venegas, Gloria Trevi, Pato Machete), El Gran Silencio, and more, reimagining cumbia’s possibilities while staying true to its roots. — I.R.

Few artists embody the essence of mariachi quite like Pedro Fernández, whose career has flourished for over four decades. First seen as a child actor in 1979’s La Niña de la Mochila Azul, he quickly established himself as a powerhouse in ranchera music with hits like “Mi Forma de Sentir,” “Sin Verte,” and “Quien”  — all which entered the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs. With 40 albums, including the recent Te Doy La Vida, Fernández continues to honor mariachi — the storied genre born in his hometown of Guadalajara. His tireless work as both a performer and actor has ensured his legacy as one of ranchera’s greatest ambassadors. — I.R.

Calibre 50 is the greatest representative of the norteño banda style in terms of groups. With 15 years of existence, it has the highest number of No. 1 hits (27) on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart, with its 27th ruler, the band remains the all-time champ on the survey. Despite the departure of its vocalist and songwriter, Edén Muñoz, in early 2022, the group was restructured and has continued to reap success in Latin America and the United States. — T.A.

Although they could be considered the younger siblings of Banda El Recodo, this group has earned its place on its own merits. After more than 35 years together, Los Recoditos is proof of the quality of its traditional Sinaloa music. Great voices of regional Mexican music such as Pancho Barraza, and great musicians such as Alfonso ‘Poncho’ Lizárraga, have come out of the group, which continues to refresh its style today without losing its essence. Along the way, the group has placed seven top 10 sets on Top Regional Mexican Albums, four of those hitting No. 1, including Ando Bien Pedo!, which spent seven weeks atop. Los Recoditos have also scored 26 top 10 hits on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, including nine tracks hitting No. 1. — T.A.

Repping border flair since launching three years ago with its breakthrough hit “No Se Va,” Grupo Frontera is, while still a pretty new band, already considered one of the best norteño bands of this generation. The five members from McAllen, Texas — who work closely with hitmaker Edgar Barrera to refine that norteño sound, and release a handful of Gen-Z-approved love and heartbreak anthems — went from playing local gigs to global stages in a short period of time and, along the way, have collaborated with some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Bad Bunny, Carín León and Fuerza Regida. In fact, Frontera and Bunny’s 2023 smash hit “un x100to” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, a major feat for a then-emerging act. Since then, Grupo Frontera has placed eight more tracks on the Hot 100, and three top 10 sets on the Top Latin Albums chart. — G.F.

On the cusp of the so-called regional Mexican music renaissance, Eslabon Armado emerged as a leading force in the movement. Hailing from Patterson, Calif., the group led by frontman Pedro Tovar, who writes and produces the group’s songs, Eslabon offered a modern take on sierreño; sill powered by requintos but with modern, Gen Z-approved lyrics that captured young love and heartbreak. In a span of five years, since its breakthrough during the pandemic, Eslabon has placed six No. 1 LPs on Regional Mexican Albums.

In 2022, its album Nostalgia made history as the first top 10-charting regional Mexican album ever on the Billboard 200. And, in 2023, Eslabon’s song “Ella Baila Sola,” a game-changer collab with Peso Pluma powered by charchetas, a tololoche and trombones, would define a new era for música mexicana. “Ella” became the first Mexican music song to best the Billboard Global 200 chart (which it did for six weeks) and it spent a total of 19 weeks atop Hot Latin Songs. — G.F.

Favela most recently secured his first No. 1 on any Billboard chart thanks to “Con Todo Respetillo,” a collab with Luis R Conriquez that ruled Regional Mexican Airplay. But the 34-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter boasts of a 20-year plus career, penning hits for a number of regional Mexican artists. Blending pop sensibility with regional Mexican roots, Favela has written for major acts like Banda El Recodo, Julión Álvarez and Alejandro Fernández. He’s won two ASCAP awards, including composer of the year, and has placed 15 songs on Regional Mexican Airplay along the way– seven of which became top 10 hits. — G.F.

The group, known for its norteñas románticas, emerged in 1982 in the border city of Nuevo León in Monterrey, where its members met while playing at social events. Los Caredneles’ bajo sexto and accordion have influenced hundreds of successful groups in the genre, since having breaking through in the ’80s, when the outfit signed with Disa and released the album Si Yo Fuera Él. Among its many achievements, Los Cardenales drew a crowd of 60,000 people to the First Norteño Festival, held in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1992. — N.C.

Throughout her 30-year career, Ana Bárbara (real name: Altagracia Ugalde Motta) has become a leading force in the banda, norteña and grupero music scene. Overall, she’s produced 11 studio albums and 18 compilation albums, and has a repertoire of hits including “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta,” “La Trampa,” “Loca” and “Bandido.” Meanwhile, albums like Ay Amor (1996) and Yo Soy La Mujer (2014) established her as a mainstay on Regional Mexican Albums. Ana Barbara was honored with the Music Lifetime Achievement Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024. — J.R.

Upon Chalino Sánchez’s death in 1992, Lupillo Rivera was given the opportunity at Cintas Acuario to become its new star. It was then that “El Toro del Corrido” was born. With his distinctive husky voice and ranchero-style performances accompanied by mariachi and norteño music, he became a standard-bearer for migrants in the United States. The brother of the legendary Jenni Rivera, Lupillo has overall entered 27 songs on Regional Mexican Airplay, with 10 hitting the top 10, including “Ya Me Habían Dicho” and “Sufriendo a Solas.” — T.A.

Born in Costa Rica and claimed by Mexico, Chavela Vargas became the defiant voice of the country’s culture, shattering norms with every song. In the ‘60s, she stripped the traditionally male-dominated ranchera of its bravado, replacing grand orchestras and charro swagger with the haunting rawness of her voice. Songs like “La Llorona” and “Paloma Negra” became showcases for her rough, vibrato-rich voice, which carried in it years of drinking mezcal and living unapologetically. Vargas’ androgyny — poncho-draped and cigar in hand — matched the boldness of her music: Fearlessly queer in an era of silence, she openly sang of loving women, including Frida Kahlo. Inspiring filmmakers like Pedro Almodóvar and audiences worldwide, Vargas was a force to be reckoned with — one who gave voice to freedom and love without boundaries. — I.R.

Originally from Michoacán, a state located in central Mexico, Los Huracanes has been writing its musical history in norteño music since the 1970s. A long list of traditional corridos centered on storytelling, as well as many romantic songs, make up the repertoire of one of the iconic groups of regional Mexican music. In addition to its founders, their heirs are also currently part of the group, playing to sold-out crowds in Mexico and the United States. Boasting a whopping total of 51 career entries on Regional Mexican Airplay and 35 career entries on Regional Mexican Albums, Los Huracanes del Norte unveiled its star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022, cementing the group’s musical legacy. — T.A.

This iconic ranchera singer contributed greatly to the popularization of traditional Mexican music and huapango around the world. Originally from El Rosario, Sinaloa, her rise to fame began during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, with albums such as Alma cancionera de México (1960) and Joyas (1969). She also had a successful career in film, starring in movies such as La Desconocida (1954) and Canción del Alma (1963). Her artistic legacy earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Another of her great achievements was becoming the first ranchera singer to perform at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, the country’s most important cultural venue. — N.C.

Led by brothers Adolfo and Gustavo Ángel, Los Temerarios is not only one of the most iconic Mexican grupero/pop acts in Latin music, but among the most successful, if not the most. Before parting ways last year after 45 years together, Los Temerarios defined an era of romantic music across decades with passionate ballads like “Tu Última Canción,” “Como Te Recuerdo” and “Ven Porque Te Necesito,” all powered by the group’s keyboard-heavy signature sound, courtesy of Adolfo, and Gustavo’s delicate and expressive vocals. Furthermore, the brothers, born in Zacatecas, Mexico, popularized the grupero subgenre in Mexico and the United States in the late ’80s, early ‘90s and, along the way, secured 41 entries on Hot Latin Songs, 17 of which are top 10 hits, including four No. 1s. The group also placed 46 entries on Top Latin Albums — more than any other Latin act in history — with eight hitting No. 1. — G.F.

Since departing from Calibre 50 in 2022, Edén Muñoz has released four studio albums as a solo artist, showcasing his musical journey through the traditional sounds of banda sinaloense and norteño music that shaped his upbringing. He initially gained widespread recognition as the lead vocalist of Calibre when the group formed in 2010, celebrated for his powerful voice and emotive songwriting. Since launching his solo career, Muñoz has continued to captivate audiences with hits that blend traditional norteño sounds with big band elements. All told, Muñoz boasts of 14 entries on Regional Mexican Airplay, nine of them hitting No. 1. His solo debut single, “Chale!,” earned Muñoz his first and longest-leading No. 1 on that chart, ruling for three weeks in 2022. — I.F.

Cano is considered the leader and creator of corridos tumbados, a musical subgenre of traditional Mexican corridos fused with hip-hop and trap that launched a new era for música mexicana. Since his debut in 2019, this young artist from Sonora has recognized the late musician Ariel Camacho as one of his greatest inspirations in sierreño, based on the sound of the twelve-string guitar, accordion, and tuba. One of his greatest contributions to the new corridos also lies in his own corrido tumbado version, with a more streetwise approach that connected with Gen-Z, both in Mexico and across the border. His debut album, Corridos Tumbados, reigned on Top Regional Mexican Albums for 31 weeks. — N.C.

Beyond a commanding stage presence powered by colorful sequined dresses, Paquita la del Barrio became a symbol of female empowerment thanks to her unapologetic lyrics, which challenged traditional gender roles. Through her five-decade career, the artist born Francisca Viveros Barradas advocated for women’s rights through timeless hits such as “Rata de Dos Patas” and “Tres Veces te Engañé,” all while leaving a lasting impact (Paquita passed away in February). On the Billboard charts, she achieved eight entries on Top Latin Albums, two on Regional Mexican Airplay, and one on Tropical Airplay, and in 2021 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards. — J.R.

The eight-member band from Tijuana, Mexico skyrocketed to stardom over the past five years, becoming the first banda ensemble to ever perform at Coachella in 2022 and recruiting stars like Camilo and Maluma for collabs along the way. Known for its fusion of norteño — (accordion heavy arrangements) and banda sinaloense (powered by tuba and other wind instruments) — Grupo Firme became a juggernaut of sorts in the genre, led by its charismatic frontman and outstanding vocalist Eduin Caz. While performing seven back-to-back sold-out shows at the Crypto.com Arena (then Staples Center) in 2021 and then immediately graduating to stadium shows, Firme also found remarkable success on the charts. All told, the group has placed a total of 18 tracks on Hot Latin Songs, five hitting top 10, and 12 top 10 hits on Latin Airplay. It also became the third regional Mexican group ever to score an entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Ya Supérame.” — G.F.

At 31 years old, the Sonora-born artist is one of the most successful and relevant artists in regional Mexican music. In his teens, he was part of the corridos alterados movement in the early 2000s. Later, he would take a turn in his career, imposing a style of composition in which storytelling lies at the core of his romantic lyrics. His powerful voice and mastery of the accordion have earned him two top 10 entries on Top Regional Mexican Albums and 12 top 10 hits on Regional Mexican Airplay, five of which peaked at No. 1., including “Tengo Claro” with Banda MS and “Yo Todo Lo Doy.” — T.A.

Upon arriving in Mazatlán from his native Chiapas, Álvarez sang in small seafood restaurants until he got the opportunity to join Banda MS, where he stayed for three years before forming his own norteño band. In the late 2010s, he earned the “Box Office King” nickname after filling arenas, stadiums and other venues both in the U.S. and Mexico. Along the way, he scored 37 entries on Regional Mexican Airplay (“Ni Lo Intentes” ruled for 12 weeks, the group’s longest-leading No. 1), and he’s had five No. 1s on Regional Mexican Albums. In April, after his long-awaited return to the U.S., he became the first Latin artist to sell out three consecutive shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. — T.A.

With a rock start attitude and a revolutionary spirit that has guided his career, Nodal is considered a maverick in the genre at just 26 years old. Pioneering the subgenre mariacheño in 2017, fusing mariachi’s strings and horns with the norteño accordion, the Sonora-born artist launched his career at just 18 years looking and sounding unlike anyone else. His inked up body, fashion-forward outfits and unorthodox collaborations with colleagues outside of música mexicana rocked the industry for good. Belting heartbreak songs like “Adiós Amor,” his debut single that catapulted him to stardom, Nodal turned heads with mature and wide-ranging vocals reminiscent of predecessors like Vicente Fernández and Joan Sebastian. To date, Nodal has placed over 20 entries on Hot Latin Songs; five of them hit the top 10, including the No. 3 debut and peak of “Botella Tras Botella,” with Mexican rapper Gera MX in 2021, which became the first regional Mexican song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart’s then 63-year history. — G.F.

In the late ‘70s, Rocío Dúrcal earned her crown as the “Queen of Rancheras,” for her work with artists such as Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solís and Joan Sebastian, but also her distinctiveness of being a Spanish artist singing Mexican music. Her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals are behind Latin music staples “Amor Eterno,” “La Gata Bajo La Lluvia,” “Como Tu Mujer” and “Costumbres.” Born María de los Ángeles de las Heras, she received the Billboard Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and in 2007, she posthumously received the Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin album of the year for greatest hits Amor Eterno: Los Éxitos. A biopic produced by Sony Music Vision and Altit Media Group that will recount the late artist’s life and legacy is currently in the works. — J.R.

From Iztapalapa to the world, Los Ángeles Azules catapulted Mexican cumbia to unfathomable heights, turning neighborhood sounds into global staples and proving the genre’s power on stages as grand as Coachella. Formed in 1983 by the Mejía Avante siblings, the group became purveyors of cumbia sonidera, producing enduring hits like “El Listón de Tu Pelo” (No. 4 on Hot Latin Songs), “Como Te Voy a Olvidar” (No. 7), and “Nunca Es Suficiente” with Natalia Lafourcade (No. 7). Their dance floor-friendly blend of cumbia and romantic melodies became staples at quinceañeras and family celebrations. Their ability to collaborate with artists like Natalia Lafourcade, Ximena Sariñana and Lila Downs has kept their sound fresh and timeless. After four decades, Los Ángeles Azules remain unmatched in their mission: keeping cumbia alive and thriving across the globe. — I.R.

One of the early proponents of fusing tejano and norteño music, a cross-cultural fusion powered by Mexican and Texas influences, Intocable is a revered group that has rightfully earned 18 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. Furthermore, the band holds the record for the most top 10s on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart since the list launched in 1994, with 51 top 10s. Led by Ricky Muñoz, Intocable has soundtracked multi-generational homes on both sides of the border with standout romantic tracks like “Tu Eres Aire,” “Sueña” and “Eres Mi Droga.” Their unwavering dedication to honoring their Mexican American roots continues to inspire fans and a new generation of música mexicana artists alike. Intocable will further cement its legacy receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. — I.F.

Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga has and continues to leave an indelible mark in the regional Mexican music scene over its impressive 22-year journey. Established in 2003 in the vibrant coastal city of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, the band has gained overall acclaim for its energetic performances and passionate sound, skillfully blending traditional banda music with modern influences to create a unique and captivating musical experience. The group’s extensive repertoire features a rich collection of both romantic ballads and infectious upbeat anthems.

Among their most beloved hit songs are “El Mechón,” which showcases its signature danceable banda sound, “El Color De Tus Ojos” and “Me Vas A Extrañar.” Their ability to reach international audiences, thanks to collabs with fellow hitmakers like Snoop Dogg – coupled with their dedication to the authenticity of their sound, has allowed them to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. All told, MS boasts of 21 No. 1s on Regional Mexican Airplay and four No. 1s on Regional Mexican Albums. — I.F.

Peso Pluma (born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija) is a global phenomenon, leading the genre’s overwhelming growth in the United States and beyond with his fresh take on corridos that immediately made him a household name when he erupted to the scene nearly three years ago. Since, he has headlined major festivals across the U.S., including Coachella, Rolling Loud California and Chicago’s Sueños Festival. Along the way, Peso has overall scored 25 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and 33 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

His albums, Génesis (2023) and Éxodo (2024) have landed top 10 spots on the Billboard 200, earning Peso himself a No. 3 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Artists of 2024. Peso stands out in a crowded field of new regional Mexican artists who have ushered in a new era for música mexicana. Which makes sense why Peso will receive the first-ever Billboard Vanguard Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025: His extensive catalog of collaborations within and outside his musical genre keeps him undefeated as one of Spotify’s most-played artists. — N.C.

From the streets of San Bernardino to dominating sold-out arenas like Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl, Fuerza Regida has become a trailblazing force in música mexicana, redefining the genre for a new generation. Led by Jesús Ortiz Paz (a.k.a. JOP), the band balances hard-hitting corridos with Its ambition has broken boundaries, as evidenced by the historic debut of its 111XPANTIA album at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, with Bad Bunny at No. 1 that week, at a key moment that marked a turning point in the representation of Spanish-language albums on the Billboard charts.

The band’s massive hits, like “Bebe Dame” with Grupo Frontera, “Ch y La Pizza” with Natanael Cano and recent No. 1 Hot Latin Songs hit “Marlboro Rojo” have helped launch the genre into a global phenomenon. With billions of streams on streaming platforms and a constant presence on the Billboard charts, the band has helped spearhead the revival of música mexicana, all while staying authentic to their roots. Unapologetically Mexican American, Fuerza Regida is transforming the genre while solidifying its place on the world stage. — I.R.

A pioneer of the corridos progresivos movement — which preceded corridos tumbados by at least 10 years — Ortiz marked an entire era by giving a modern twist to the way controversial characters’ stories were told, powered by banda music. Over the course of his career, the Mexican American star has scored 34 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, 13 of those hit No. 1. He also has 11 career entries on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. In the last decade, he has taken a new direction in his career with equally successful romantic songs that have allowed him to position himself among the great young figures of the genre. — T.A.

Few bands embody the cultural bridge between Mexico and the U.S. quite like Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Emerging from their city’s namesake’s underground music scene in the late ‘80s, the band became pioneers of modern norteño music, blending storytelling with infectious rhythms that continue to define parties and family gatherings worldwide. Their iconic hit “La Chona,” once a staple of quinceañeras and nightclubs, exploded onto the global stage decades later as a viral internet challenge, proving their sound’s timeless appeal. But Los Tucanes are more than a party soundtrack. Controversial yet influential, they went from being banned in their hometown to achieving nine No. 1 career entries on both Regional Mexican Airplay and Top Regional Mexican Albums, while also making history as the first norteño band to headline Coachella. — I.R.

Known as “El Gallo de Oro,” Elizalde’s career was brief but impactful. Known for his raw and unpolished vocals, and at times off-key delivery, the Sonora-born artist was a breathe of fresh air in the corridos scene, powered by his signature tuba-pumping banda sinaloense sound. Adding to the legacy of predecessors like Chalino Sánchez, Elizalde was characterized by his duality, singing brash corridos such as “A Mis Enemigos,” while romantic songs “Vete Ya,” “Te Quiero Así” and “Lobo Domesticado” also remain a significant part of his body of work. Elizalde was shot dead in Mexico in 2006 at age 27, but his legacy continues, with many corrido singers of a new generation crediting him for influencing their careers. — G.F.

One of the most versatile artists in música mexicana, Carín León has contributed to the globalization of regional Mexican music in a significant way. Not only is he a fierce defender of traditional music like banda and norteño, but León has also expanded the reach of the genre by fusing the genre with flamenco, pop, R&B, rock and country. Injecting pathos in his vocal delivery, León not only sings, but belts songs of love and heartbreak. Out of 23 career entries on Regional Mexican Airplay, 10 hit No. 1. He has three top 10s on Regional Mexican Albums chart.

In 2024, León became the first artist to perform primarily in Spanish at the Stagecoach country music festival, just a few months after making his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Additionally, he was the first regional Mexican artist to perform at CMA Fest, where he was invited by Cody Johnson to join him on stage for their bilingual song “She Hurts Like Tequila” at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Most recently, it was announced that León will be the first Latin artist to perform at Sphere in Las Vegas. — I.F.

Perhaps no one in recent memory has had more impact on a whole generation like Camacho did, and it’s no surprise. A gifted requinto (six-string guitar) player from Sonora and pioneer of the sierreño movement, Camacho broke into the scene in his early 20s in 2013, singing heart-wrenching love songs like “Te Metiste” and “Hablemos” that struck a chord with young regional Mexican music fans and future música mexicana artists. His sound was different, too. With an emphasis on guitars, and a poignant tuba in tow, Camacho strayed from the norteño or banda formula that ruled the regional Mexican scene for decades. But in 2015, on the brink of stardom, Camacho died at 22 in a car accident, instantly turning him into a legend that inspired regional Mexican hitmakers like Jesús Ortiz Paz (Fuerza Regida), Peso Pluma, Natanael Cano and Christian Nodal. Camacho’s career may have been brief, but his legacy has touched and influenced every aspect of regional Mexican music today. — G.F.

“I don’t sing, I bark,” Chalino Sánchez famously declared — a raw confession that embodied his unapologetic grit. Often compared to what The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac represent for gangsta rap, Chalino became the voice of the streets in Mexican music. Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and forged by life’s relentless hardships, the King of Corridos turned his struggles into the almighty narco ballads he helped pioneer, with songs like “El Crimen de Culiacán” and “Armando Sánchez,” while immortalizing outlaws and heroes. Yet, he also possessed a gift for tenderness, delivering heartfelt odes like the lovelorn “Nieves de Enero” and “Alma Enamorada.”

Though his life was tragically cut short by an unsolved murder in 1992, Chalino’s legacy reverberates through podcasts and groundbreaking AI-driven collaborations like “Rigo Campos” with Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Decades after his death, he remains an unmatched force — an outlaw-poet and fearless voice of a generation, inspiring many to this day. — I.R.

In the 1970s, Los Bukis transformed Mexican romantic pop with their grupera sound, a synth-driven style that fused norteña and ranchera touches that gave life to emotional ballads about love and heartbreak. Led by superstar Marco Antonio Solís, whose piercing vocals and evocative songwriting anchored the band, they rose to massive prominence in the ’80s and early ’90s with hits like “Tu Cárcel” and “Acepto Mi Derrota,” which became anthems sung in cantinas, family gatherings and stadiums alike. Their 2021 reunion after a 25-year hiatus sparked a record-breaking stadium tour, earning the top Latin tour honor at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. By 2024, they made history with the first-ever full Spanish-language residency on the Las Vegas Strip. Honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2025, Los Bukis remain a symbol of timeless artistry in música mexicana. — I.R.

Known for a unique blend of norteño and grupero, Bronco – led by fierce frontman Lupe Esparza, known for his delicate yet powerful vocals – gained widespread fame in the 1980s with global hits such as “Que No Quede Huella,” “Zapatos De Tacón” and “Sergio el Bailador.” The group’s distinctive style of fitted, color outfits, ruffles and tejano boots, and catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, cemented its status within Latin music. Over the years, Bronco has undergone various lineup changes but has undoubtedly remained beloved and iconic. Overall, Bronco has 29 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, 34 career entries on Regional Mexican Albums, 11 of those hit No. 1. — I.F.