Mexican Music You Didn’t Know You Needed in Your Life
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Looking for something new to spice up your playlist? Check out these lesser-known Mexican tracks that are sure to get your groove on.
Regional Mexican Music
From the Norteño and Banda of the north, to the Cumbia and Mariachi of the south, Mexican music is as varied as the culture and geography of the country. While most people are familiar with banda, mariachi and norteño music, there is a whole world of regional Mexican music that is often overlooked. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different genres of Mexican music and why they’re worth checking out.
Banda
Banda is one of the most popular genres of Mexican music, and it is often associated with traditional Mexican culture. Banda music is characterized by its use of horns, trumpets, and other brass instruments, as well as its fast-paced, upbeat tempo. This type of music is often played at weddings and celebrations, and it is sure to get you up and dancing!
Norteño
Norteño (from Norte, “North”), also known as música norteña, is a genre of Mexican music from Northern Mexico. It is generally performed by duos or trios with accordion and guitarra de golpe as the primary instruments. Norteño developed in the late 19th century in the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila. In recent decades, norteño has become one of the most popular forms of Mexican music.
Norteño is characterized by a strong focus on the accordion, which plays a lead role in most norteño songs. The guitarra de golpe is another essential instrument in norteño music; it provides accompaniment and often takes on a melodic role as well. Many norteño bands also include drums, bass, and other instruments such as the trumpet, violin, and tambora.
The typical norteño song is based on a waltz or polka rhythm and is sung in Spanish. Norteño lyrics often deal with themes such as love,politics, violence, and poverty. The genre has been influenced by various other genres over the years, including corridos (Mexican folk ballads), rancheras (Mexican folk music), cumbia (Colombian/Panamanian music), and even electronic dance music.
Duranguense
Duranguense is a lively, fast-paced type of Mexican music that originates from the state of Durango. It is characterized by its use of the accordion, as well as a number of other traditional Mexican instruments. The genre gained popularity in the 1990s and has since become one of the most popular types of Mexican music, especially in the United States.
Popular Mexican Music
Mexican music is so much more than Mariachi bands and Selena. From Norteño to Banda, Tejano to Tierra Caliente, there’s a style of Mexican music for everyone. And it’s not just traditional music – Mexican music has also influenced genres like rock, jazz, and hip hop. Here are 10 popular Mexican music genres you need in your life.
Mariachi
Mariachi is a type of Mexican folk music that dates back to the 18th century. It is usually performed by a group of musicians wearing traditional Mexican clothing, and it often features instruments such as guitars, violins, and trumpets. Mariachi music is often used in celebrations such as weddings and parties, and it has become one of the most iconic types of Mexican music.
Ranchera
Ranchera, also known as música ranchera or canción ranchera is a genre of the traditional popular music of Mexico. It dates back to the 18th century when the peasants who worked in the country’s haciendas (ranches) developed a musical style that blended Spanish, indigenous and African influences. The most famous exponent of ranchera was Mexican film star and singer Pedro Infante, who died in a plane crash in 1957.
Ranchera incorporates different musical styles such as son Jarocho, huapango and mariachi, as well as polka and waltz. The main instruments used are guitars, violins, trumpets and maracas. Ranchera songs often deal with topics such as patriotism, love, betrayal, nature and death.
If you want to experience Mexican culture through music, listening to ranchera is a good place to start. Here are some popular ranchera songs that you might not know but need in your life:
-La cucaracha
-La paloma
-Cielito Lindo
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Cumbia
Cumbia is a musical style that originated in Colombia and has since spread throughout Latin America. It is characterized by a mix of African, indigenous, and European influences, and its upbeat tempo and catchy rhythms make it perfect for dancing. Cumbia is also often used as a form of social commentary, with lyrics that touch on topics such as poverty, love, and politics.
Contemporary Mexican Music
Mexico is such a culturally rich country with an abundance of talented musicians. You may only be familiar with mariachi music, but there is so much more to explore! In this article, we’ll introduce you to some contemporary Mexican artists that you’ll be sure to love.
Reggaeton
If you’re not familiar with reggaeton, it’s a type of music that originated in Puerto Rico in the late 1990s. It’s a mix of hip-hop, reggae, and dancehall, and it’s become insanely popular in recent years. If you want to get an idea of what it sounds like, just think of the song “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi (featuring Daddy Yankee). That’s reggaeton.
Reggaeton is the perfect party music, and it always gets everyone on the dance floor. It’s upbeat and catchy, and it always has a great beat that makes it impossible to resist moving your body. Trust me, once you start listening to reggaeton, you’re going to be hooked.
Hip-Hop
Mexican hip-hop emerged in the early 1990s, with artists such as MC Davo, Klímax and Control Machete pioneering the genre. Mexican hip-hop is often characterized by its conscious and political lyrics, which tackle issues such as poverty, violence, corrupt politicians and social injustice. The genre has also been greatly influenced by American hip-hop, with many Mexican artists incorporating elements of rap, R&B and trap into their music.
If you’re looking for some new Mexican hip-hop to add to your playlist, check out these contemporary artists who are making waves in the genre.
-Elote El Bárbaro is a Mexican hip-hop artist from Tijuana. His music is characterized by its use of references to Mexican pop culture and social commentary on issues such as violence, poverty and corruption.
-Molotov is a Mexican rock band that formed in Mexico City in 1995. The band is known for their Fusion of punk rock, ska, reggae and hip-hop, as well as their politically charged lyrics.
-Resistencia Suburbana is a Mexican punk rock band from Tijuana. Their music incorporates elements of punk rock, ska and hip-hop, and often tackles social and political issues such as class inequality, violence and corruption.
-Calle 13 is a Puerto Rican hip-hop duo made up of brothers René Pérez Joglar (aka “Residente”) and Eduardo José CabraMartínez (aka “Visitante”). Calle 13’s music is known for its eclectic blend of genres ranging from reggaeton to Latin rock to merengue and even metalcore, as well as its socially conscious lyrics which tackle topics such as poverty, racism and colonialism.
Electronic
Since the 1990s, Mexican electronic music has been on the rise, with a new generation of producers and DJs finding inspiration in a wide range of styles, from dub and techno to house and beyond. In recent years, the scene has exploded, with Mexico City now home to a thriving community of electronic musicians and clubs. Here are a few of the most exciting names to watch out for.
