Tag: mexico

How Trap Met Corrido: The Fusion Genre Taking Over Mexico

May 29, 2019

One thing is certain in music this year: trap is everywhere. The hip-hop movement, which started in Atlanta, has since spawned microgenres around the world. Today, trap spin-offs include everything from the language-specific interpretations of trap en español, deutsch trap and Arabic trap to rhythmically experimental movements, such as trap funk, trap and bass, or even float tank trap. If there were ever a genre representative of how music transcends and influences cultures, it’s this one. Now there’s a new take hitting the airwaves, inspired by life in northern Mexico and along the US-Mexico border: trap corrido.

At first blush, the idea of trap mixed with corrido (Mexico’s accordion-laced regional folk ballads that date back to the 19th century and include “La Cucaracha”) might seem unlikely to work. But for pioneers in the genre such as Alemán, the rapping duo La Plebada, and nuevo corrido band Grupo Codiciado—who recently collaborated with emerging trap star Gera MX— the combination was meant to be.

After all, as the rappers behind La Plebada, Fntxy, and Cozy Cuz point out, if you grew up in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, corrido and hip-hop were everywhere. The 29-year-old Fntxy told For the Record that listening to his grandmother’s corrido ballads was his first musical memory. Corrido is in his blood, but, he said, he couldn’t sing, so he “had to rap.” Fusing the two genres came naturally to the duo. “One day, we recorded with a guitar, the next day with a beat, and the next day we invented a genre that didn’t exist,” Fntxy told us.  

La Plebada

For Grupo Codiciado, based in Tijuana, the decision to combine corrido with trap was much more deliberate. Collaborating with Gera MX gave them the chance to push the creative limits of corrido. Erick Aragón, the band’s 26-year-old lead singer, originally founded Grupo Codiciado because the more traditional corrido groups he was playing in wouldn’t allow him to experiment with the genre. When he found out Gera MX was not only a fan of corrido, but keen to collaborate, he reached out to his fellow Mexican artist. After throwing a few ideas around on Whatsapp, they headed to the studio to record “Ahí Les Va,” a punchy track with a guitar-derived rhythm, and another single that comes out in July.

Right now, there are no hard and fast rules around trap corrido, and there’s a sense of experimentation each time someone puts the two together. What elements will they take from trap? What will they take from corrido? While musically, corrido’s most signature sounds are the use of the accordion and the bajo sexto (a type of 12-string guitar specific to Mexico), it’s also a cultural and lyrical phenomenon rooted in a tradition of telling stories about what young men do on a daily basis—drive around, party, and hang out.

Both trap and corrido are “genres of the street,” says Alemán. As he outlines life in northern Mexico, the rapper, who hails from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, prefers to combine the two by overlaying trap beats with lyrics that take their cues thematically from corrido. Rather aptly, the music video for his single “Rucón,” features a corrido-inspired aesthetic. Dressed in button-up shirts, tejana hats, and vaquero boots, Aleman raps, “esto es 100% México,” (this is 100 Mexico) over a traditional trap beat.

Alemán

For Grupo Codiciado, the oral history tradition of corrido and its role in building an identity and passing along information to the next generation has been just as important as perfecting the trap beat.When composing, Aragón draws on his experiences with immigration and crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He said, “As a singer, you have the opportunity to share messages. The next generation, they don’t know, but they can learn from your path.” Navigating the expectations of both genres has been part of the process. However, at least according to La Plebada, the reaction has been enthusiastic, even from those they didn’t expect to like their music.

After their first single, “Los Plebes,” dropped, Noisey described trap corrido as “trap para los niños del rancho” (trap for kids from the ranch). Both Fntxy and Cozy Cuz chuckled at this description. “Totally,” they said. “We make music for people from el rancho, and who aren’t from el rancho. It’s very much about the lifestyle of the area: the horses, the roosters, the cows, the beach. To us, the music is almost nostalgic—for the people who no longer live there, and for the people who live this day-to-day. ” As they told For the Record, it’s about paying homage to their roots on the ranch, but in a modern way.

In the mood for more regional trap? Check out Trapperz Mexa for the best and latest coming out of Mexico.

El artista viral mexicano que hace que valga la pena llorar por su música

May 23, 2019

¿Cómo luce el éxito viral para la generación de nativos digitales? En México, el cantante y compositor Ed Maverick ofrece el ejemplo perfecto, ya que en menos de un año el guitarrista de 18 años, cuyo nombre real es Eduardo Saucedo, ha pasado de tener 5,000 streams en Spotify a más de 450,000 diarios. Su álbum de “bedroom-pop” acústico titulado “mix pa llorar en tu cuarto” y su canción “Fuentes de Ortiz”, han aparecido en varias playlists de Latinoamérica.

“Fuentes de Ortiz” aterrizó primero en Mexico Viral 50 y, desde allí, la canción obtuvo un lugar en la playlist Distrito Indie de Spotify antes de llegar a las listas de reproducción de La + Chingona y Éxitos México. Esta semana su sencillo Fuentes de Ortiz entró con fuerza al Top 50 de México.

Típicamente compuesta con poco más que una guitarra, cada canción del mix pa llorar en tu cuarto es un crudo retrato de la incertidumbre y la inseguridad del amor joven. Escuchar sus canciones dan la sensación de leer el diario de alguien, resulta imposible evitar identificarse con sus vulnerables y desgarradores tracks. En un sonoro barítono, Saucedo expresa sus sentimientos a través de letras sencillas y accesibles que se mezclan en el lenguaje cotidiano, reflejando cómo los jóvenes mexicanos hablan realmente.

“Karpe Diem”, una de las primeras canciones que escribió, describe su experiencia al superar un amor. Al discutir la canción con For The Record, Saucedo dijo que probablemente sea la canción más cercana a su corazón, ya que representa el comienzo de su transición de problemas de niños a problemas de adultos. De hecho, muchas de sus canciones provienen de sus propias experiencias, particularmente con ex novias, aunque evade vincularlas a un momento específico.

Saucedo, quien nació en Chihuahua, no creció en una familia de músicos, sino que aprendió a tocar la guitarra viendo videos y tocando norteño, género musical popular en su tierra. Su estilo evolucionó mientras tocaba covers de canciones de sus bandas favoritas, como las de los rockeros indie mexicanos Little Jesus. Pero ninguno de los estilos de música se ajustaba a lo que quería hacer, así que decidió lanzarse por su cuenta y, finalmente, comenzó a componer sus propias canciones. “Sentí la necesidad de liberar lo que estaba pasando en mi mente”, dijo.

Y quizás éste es el secreto de la fácil intimidad de sus letras: trabaja siguiendo su intuición y se deja llevar, en lugar de forzar las cosas. Incluso cuando Saucedo comienza a escribir una canción, le gusta ver cómo se siente, ya sea bueno o malo, y ver “lo que llega”. Finalmente, lo que espera es que la gente que escucha sus canciones pueda al menos “sentir algo”. Y tal vez se den cuenta de que no son los únicos pasando por la dificultad de ser adolescentes. “Es por eso que hago música, de verdad”, dijo.

Saucedo se mudó recientemente a la Ciudad de México, donde su hermana actúa como su manager. Navega por su repentino ascenso a la fama, asegurándose de mantener contacto con sus amigos, así como con sus fans, muchos de los cuales son de su edad o más jóvenes. En abril realizó una firma de autógrafos en el sur de la ciudad, en donde se concentran muchos estudiantes universitarios. Cuando llegó, más de 1.000 personas lo esperaban, algunos de ellos habían estado allí desde las 8 de la mañana. Afortunadamente, estos se mostraron con mucho ánimo mientras se presentaba ante la multitud y cantaron junto con él. Después, firmó todo, desde copias de su álbum hasta zapatos y un ukelele.

En este momento, sus influencias incluyen a otro cantante de rock indie mexicano,  Dromedarios Mágicos, que también proviene de Chihuahua. Le gusta escuchar a bandas como King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Walters y Señor Kino. Y como continuación de su álbum, lanzó “Ropa de Bazaar con Jenny Juárez de Bratty, una canción acústica con un tinte folclórico sobre una pareja de jóvenes que escapan juntos. “Vámonos de aquí”, cantan los dos mientras Saucedo toca la guitarra. “Vamos a dejar nuestra ciudad, comprarnos ropa de bazar. No importa todo lo demás”.

Si bien en algún momento pensó convertirse en diseñador gráfico, en este momento Saucedo está feliz de continuar su carrera musical. No tiene un récord específico en mente, pero para un futuro cercano, le gustaría ir a “algún lugar muy lejos”, componer durante unos meses y producir algo diferente a su primer álbum, tanto lírico como musicalmente, simplemente aún no sabe exactamente qué.

Escucha el álbum de Ed Maverick, mix pa llorar en tu cuarto, o para una intimidad acústica adicional, escucha la versión en vivo de su último single, “Ropa de Bazaar”.

The Viral Mexican Artist Making Music Worth Crying Over

May 23, 2019

What does viral success look like for the internet generation? In Mexico, singer-songwriter Ed Maverick offers a prime example. In less than one year, the 18-year-old guitarist, whose real name is Eduardo Saucedo, has gone from having 1,000 daily streams on Spotify to over 98,000, thanks to his nine-track album of acoustic bedroom-pop titled “mix pa llorar en tu cuarto” (a mixtape to cry to in your bedroom) and a fateful spotting by one of our editors of his track “Fuentes de Ortiz” on the Mexico Viral 50 playlist. One listen to that track, and it’s easy to see why it was included on Spotify’s Distrito Indie playlist before eventually making its way to the flagship  La + Chingona and Éxitos México playlists.

Typically armed with little more than a guitar, each song on “mix pa llorar en tu cuarto” is a raw portrayal of the uncertainty and insecurity of young love. The audio equivalent of reading someone’s diary, the tracks are vulnerable and heartbreakingly relatable. In a rich baritone, Saucedo expresses his feelings through simple, approachable lyrics that mix in everyday Mexican slang, reflecting how people actually communicate.

“Karpe Diem,” one of the first songs he wrote, describes his experience in getting over someone. In discussing the song with For the Record Saucedo said it’s probably the song closest to his heart, as it represents the start of his transition to “adult problems, not kid problems anymore.” Indeed, many of his songs come from his own experiences, particularly with ex-girlfriends, although he evades linking them to a specific moment.

Saucedo, who comes from the northern state of Chihuahua, Mexico, didn’t grow up in a musical family, but learned to play guitar by watching videos and playing in norteño—a genre of music popular in the region he comes from—groups throughout middle school. His style evolved through playing covers of songs by his favorite bands, such as those by Mexican indie rockers Little Jesus. But neither style of music suited what he wanted to do, so he decided to strike out on his own and eventually started composing his own songs. “I felt the need to release what was going on in my mind,” he said.

And perhaps this is the secret to the easy intimacy of his lyrics: He works by following his intuition and going with the flow, as opposed to forcing things. Even when Saucedo starts to write a song, he likes to see how he’s feeling—whether it’s good or bad—and to see “what arrives.” Ultimately, what he’s hoping for is that people listening to his songs can at least “feel something”—and perhaps realize they’re not the only ones going through the difficulty of being a teenager. “That’s why I make music, really,” he said.

Saucedo recently moved to Mexico City, where his sister acts as his manager. He’s navigating his sudden rise to fame by making sure he stays in touch with his friends from back home, as well as his fans, many of whom are his age or younger. In April, he held an autograph signing session in the city’s south, where a lot of university students live. When he arrived, over 1,000 people were waiting for him, and some of them had been there since 8am that morning. Luckily, their spirits were kept high as he performed for the crowd, and they sang along with him. Afterwards, he signed everything from copies of his album to sneakers and a ukulele.  

Right now, his influences include another Mexican indie rock singer, Dromedarios Mágicos, who also comes from Chihuahua. He enjoys listening to bands like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Walters and Señor Kino. And already, as a follow-up to his album, he’s released “Ropa de Bazaar” featuring Jenny Juárez of the Sonora-based lo-fi pop act Bratty, a folk-tinged acoustic song about a young couple escaping together. “Let’s go far away from here,” the two sing as Saucedo strums his guitar. “Accompany me and I’ll take care of you, through the drunken crazy times and all the rest.”

While at one point he harbored thoughts of being a graphic designer, right now Saucedo is happy with continuing his music career. He doesn’t have a specific milestone in mind, but for the near future he’d like to head “somewhere very far” and compose for a few months, and produce something different to his first album, both lyrically and musically—he just doesn’t know exactly what yet.

Listen to the whole album by Ed Maverick, mix pa llorar en tu cuarto, or for extra acoustic intimacy, hear the live version of his latest single, “Ropa de Bazaar.”

Let the Music Play Forever: Spotify Honors the Legacies of Legendary Artists on Día de los Muertos

October 29, 2018

Music carries messages across generations, and that’s especially true on Día de los Muertos. To celebrate the traditional holiday, Spotify is honoring some of Mexican music’s most-beloved deceased icons and their lasting impact on the world of Latin music and culture—and helping music fans connect to the special day.

On the Latin music hub, fans can explore a number of original Día de los Muertos playlists that highlight the music of current and past Mexican and Mexican-American artists. What’s more, they’re all decorated with images of the artists or symbols of Día de los Muertos, such as papel picados, or cut paper banners. Music lovers can embrace the holiday’s musical traditions, stream original artist covers, and honor the legacies of stars past with our dedicated playlists.

First up, our eclectic Día de los Muertos playlist features songs from contemporary and legendary Mexican and Mexican-American greats, and includes a few covers of moving, traditional songs by late musicians. We worked with three current artists to cover those legendary hits—Mexican-American singer-songwriter Becky G lends her soulful voice to a moving take of “Por Un Amor, Cucurrucucu Paloma,” Joss Favela performs a gripping rendition of “Eso y Más,” and indie musician Silvana Estrada brings new life to “Amor Eterno.”

These rising stars also spoke to Spotify about the meaning of the holiday and the impact covering one of their legends had on them.

“For Mexicans, Día de los Muertos is a moment with our loved ones who are no longer with us,” explained Joss Favela. “My idols are no longer alive but they live in their music. This song we are recording is our offering.”

Silvana Estrada noted, “It’s a beautiful opportunity to get in touch with my musical predecessors.”

“This Día de los Muertos, I am honoring Jenni Rivera,” explains Becky G. “When I think of her, I think of my mom—I think of my grandmothers. She embodies the voice of women everywhere.”

Jenni Rivera’s music still has a particular hold on listeners across both Mexico and the U.S. To help fans celebrate her life, we proudly honored her musical legacy at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s 19th annual Día de los Muertos festival in Los Angeles on October 27. Los Angeles was Rivera’s home, and the city where many of her family members, friends, and fans still reside.

“It is an incredible honor for our family that Spotify chose to commemorate my mother’s legacy during the Dia de los Muertos festival in Los Angeles,” said Chiquis Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera. “Her music had such an incredible impact on our culture, and to be able to celebrate her life alongside her fans is an experience we will never forget.”

At the festival, fans visited an ofrenda to Jenni Rivera, an Aztec marigold-adorned Día de los Muertos memorial bridge to remember the late artist and celebrate her life. The offering, designed by Mexican ofrenda artist Ricardo Soltero, displayed colorful sugar skulls (a common decoration and traditional holiday gift for children), candles and butterfly symbols on an altar dedicated to her memory. The shrine also featured some of the fiery-voiced “Mariposa de Barrio’s” favorite foods, as well as sugar skulls and papel picados with images of Jenni and the names of some of her most-streamed tracks on Spotify.

Craving more Día de los Muertos music? Stream themed hits from playlists such as A Mover el Esqueleto, a Halloween party with Latin rock ’n’ roll; Mujerones, which honors female Mexican singers across generations; and Calaveritas, which pays homage to Latin and non-Latin musicians who have passed.