10 Central American Acts Putting Their Spin on Regional Mexican Music

Let’s be honest. While regional Mexican music is far from the new beat on the block, the past few years have witnessed a huge mainstream crossover for music born and saddled in Northern Mexico and along both sides of the border. From Bad Bunny and Natanael Cano tolling the bell for the age of corridos tumbados on the “Soy El Diablo” remix to pop blockbusters from the likes of Christian Nodal, Piso 21, and Alizzz on “Pa’ Olvidarme de Ella,” it’s abundantly clear these are no longer your tío’s go-to tearjerkers. Even the unlikely combo of Snoop Dogg and Banda MS on “Que Maldición,” and glitzy team-ups like Ely Quintero, Chiquis Rivera, and Helen Ochoa’s rowdy “Las Destrampadas” have tapped into a new era of viral appeal. Rancho dominance has become such that non-regional artists Ozuna, Farruko, C. Tangana, and Omar Apollo have all leaped at the chance of including a corrido on their respective albums.

To be clear, the term “regional” generally refers to the music’s geographical roots, though it’s an egregiously narrow umbrella term encompassing corridos, norteño, mariachi, banda sinaloense, and so much more. But roots can stretch pretty far, especially when talking about music. Down in Central America, for example, genres more closely associated with Mexican cowboys and desert ranches are getting a change of scenery while keeping the snazzy grupero outfits. The outlaw tales, blaring horns, and devoted audiences are all still there, and though this music has always been popular below Mexico’s southern border, new voices are capturing local nuances and adding their own flavor.

For a peek at this exciting crop of Central American artists, here are 10 acts putting fresh spins on corrido, banda, and more.