The last major category of Latin music is regional Mexican music. Brought into the United States by immigrants from Mexico, it is the Latin equivalant of country music in its subject matter and demographic. The main sub groups are mariachi/rancheras, norteno/corridos, grupo, quebradita/banda, and tejano, along with a couple less widespread variants, revolucionaro and tamborazo. Regional Mexican styles are among the easiest forms of Latin music to recognize because of their unique visual style -- cheesy!
You know those guys that wear the big hats with decorative costumes that can hold a note for what seems like an eternity? Those are mariachis. This style of music has been around since the 1800s; mariachi songs are passed on from one generation of Charros (mariachi musicians) to the next. All the best mariachi music comes from Guadalajara, though in the U.S. it is most popular in California, Chicago, and Texas. Mariachi is the most broadly embraced type of regional music; appealing to all ages, it's Mexico's musical ambassador to the world.
Key mariachi artists are Vincente Fernandez, Lola Beltran, Mariachi Vargas, and Antonio Aguilar. Others include Nydia Rojas, Mariachi Sol De Mexico, Pedro Fernandez, Miguel Acevez Mejia, Alejandro Fernandez, Lucha Villa, Javier Solis, and El Mariachi De Tecatitlan.
Norteno means "of the north," which describes where this style evolved -- the northern part of Mexico. Though it shares a similar audience with mariachi/ranchera, what separates this style from the other forms of regional music is its emphasis on the accordian as the main instrument. Also, norteno bands are usually very large with a full horn section and strings. Encompassed within norteno is the corrido, which is normally a solo artist backed by a band. Musically, both are very similar; the tip-off often boils down to whether or not the guys in the costumes all have hats, or just one of them!
Key norteno/corridos acts are Los Tigres Del Norte, and Los Tucanes De Tijuana (OK, the group name is sometimes a tip-off, too). Others include Cornelio Reina, Los Tiranos del Norte, Los Reileros Del Norte, Ramon Ayala, and Los Traficantes Del Norte.
Grupo is the only regional style owing musical allegiance to pop. What distinguishes grupo from the latter is that grupo is much less glamorous or image-oriented than standard pop and is often described as "the music of the people." Most grupo performers have enjoyed popularity since the 1970s and their audience -- mostly ages 25 and up, and concentrated in California, Texas, and Chicago stateside -- is very loyal.
Key grupo acts are Los Temerarios, Bronco, and Marco Antonio Solis (who formerly teamed with members of Los Mismos as Los Bukis). Others include Los Yonics, Los Humildes, Los Angeles Negros, and Los Freddys.
Quebradita is both a style of music and a form of dance. The music is fast-paced, very percussion- and horn-heavy, with a very difficult, complicated accompanying dance. Banda is rhythmically very similar to the polka, and is said to be a hybrid of regional sounds combined with music brought to the northern part of Mexico just before the Mexican Revolution by German immigrants. Though popular in the same areas as grupo, quebradita and banda appeal to a slightly younger audience.
Key quebradita/banda artists are Graciela Beltran, Banda Machos, and Banda Recodo (once again, the artist name often describes this style). Others include Grupo Exterminador, Banda r-15, Banda Movil, Rozenda Bernal, Banda Z, Ana Barbara, Chalino Sanchez, and Limite.
Last but not least is Tejano. As the term suggests, Tejano music is primarily a "Texas" phenomenon. Probably 90% of its audience is based in Texas and throughout the Southwest; most of its bands and artists hail from the same area. The interesting thing about Tejano music is that, although predominantly sung in Spanish, most of its audience and artists are English- or "Spanglish"-speaking only, and aren't really fluent in Spanish.
Key Tejano performers are Selena, Bobby Pulido, and La Mafia. Others include Emilio Navaira, Mazz, La Diferenzia, Jennifer & The Jets, Limite, Elsa Garcia, Ram Herrera, and Roberto Pulido (Bobby's dad).
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