Fuerza Régida’s Coridos is so popular that the Californian band doesn’t know who will call them out for a collaboration next. A few weeks ago it was Marshmello. Today is Mike Towers.
Fuerza Regida lead singer Jesús Ortiz Paz mentioned the Puerto Rican rapper not long ago. “Speaking of buddies, look!” he shouts. Within seconds, Towers will be online. “You’re not going to die anytime soon, dude.’” Ortiz tells him. “I was just talking about you.”
Towers’ call gets right when Ortiz catches. rolling stone Major news: Fuerza Régida has released not one but two new albums, both released this week.I have high expectations so they speak The band announced earlier this month (So Y’all Can Talk) and its surprise companion, keep talking (Keep Talking), a project that the listener did not expect at all. Ortiz smiles as he explains that he’s kept his sophomore album a secret from his fans and is proud of his new music. “This is the best job of my career so far,” he says. “These albums are that.”
As the title suggests, the two albums aim to prove anyone who ever suspected the band was wrong.Ortiz, bassist José Garcia, requinto player Samuel Jaimez, six strings. The group, which consists of guitarist Kristian Ramos, has been around for seven years and is an urban corridor that mixes the energy of trap and hip-hop with Mexican heritage.
Not so long ago Ortiz was working as a promoter. He held a flyer his party “in the hood” in SoCal to conclude the event with the band. The group now fills arenas, connecting with a younger generation of U.S.-born Mexicans through contemporary storytelling and a social media presence that showcases their dedication and hard work. The band’s forward-thinking sound positions them at the forefront of his Gen Z movement, which straddles both cultures and has garnered fans around the world.
Much of Fuerza Regida’s music is a bit Identity is a term that refers to children born in America and raised in Mexican culture, who frequently switch between listening to Charrino Sanchez at home and banging rap with friends. Ortiz, who usually wears the heavy diamond-encrusted chains and sneakers seen on rappers like Lil Baby and Roddy Ricch, is embarrassed by the fact that he grew up speaking English and imperfect Spanish. I don’t care. He draws inspiration from his upbringing in San Bernardino, an environment of Southern California biculturalism that shaped the band’s attitude and aesthetic. “We’re just the new generation,” he says. “I’m talking about the streets from here. This is [like] Trap music, but we brought our roots there. “
Fuerza Regida has already made headlines with an unexpected American reference to the Mexican deal. For example, his 2018 breakout hit “Radicamos en South Central” tells the story of his drug dealers who rule the streets of the LA district. It uses a similar narrative format to the great Mexican Narcocoridos, but from a US perspective. Their new album shows what they want to do more. so they speak Begins with the typical Regid “My Neighborhood” run sideways It’s the story of Ortiz breaking out of his San Bernardino hometown despite criticism and setbacks. Ortiz made his way as a local barber in low-income communities before starting out playing in bands and becoming part of notable major acts.
“Mi Vecidario” returns to his roots and celebrates where he came from. “I did it for the people. For everyone who lives in the Hood who knows the struggle,” he says, singing a verse about Zoom.
Both projects have traditional touches. keep talking It shows a band wearing old-fashioned tejana cowboy hats, a big departure from the typical streetwear style. (“I don’t dress like that,” says Ortiz.) This shift is also noticeable on some of the songs on his second record, including collaborations with famous Mexican acts. is. Caliber 50’s esteemed former frontman Eden Muñoz will appear on ‘Ya Verán’, while Fuerza Regida will team up with Grupo Frontera on leftfield cumbia ‘Bebé Dame’.
But, according to Ortiz, these albums are also aimed at Latinos who are into American trap and may initially be reluctant to the sounds of plucking tubas or Requinto strings. “People listen to an instrument and shut themselves off thinking it’s just a Mexican thump,” he says. “But they have to sit down and listen to the lyrics. When they listen, they’ll understand: It’s the same culture. It’s the same, just in a different place.”
Aside from the in-person parties that kicked off the band, Ortiz has managed to build a large fan base online. During the group’s early days, Ortiz spent a lot of time posting his vlogs on his YouTube. His YouTube follower count is nearing his one million. It helped connect not only with fans of Regida’s music, but also with those who resonated with his down-to-earth demeanor and enjoyed watching the group’s weed-infused antics online. It worked, bro,” he says of posting vlogs almost every other day. “If he had 500 fans, now he has 5,000. They came to the show and said all the little slogans I say on the vlog. started listening to the group.
The video also showed a more human side of the singer. He has a close relationship with his parents and occasionally features them in his vlogs, showing moments of fulfilling an immigrant kid’s dream of giving back to his parents.His one of his most viral videos At , Ortiz surprised his father with his new Toyota Tacoma. (He also wrote “Iguaito a Mi Apá” on his new album for his father.)
But overcoming the pandemic, Ortiz decided to put the camera down for a bit and head back to the studio. He says vlogs almost prevented him from making new music for a year. Although the band has started focusing on new work, he still shares videos on TikTok, has a total of 4 million followers, and is known for the occasional peek into his life on tour. “We’re on our feet and we’re not going to stop here. We already know the formula,” Ortiz said. “We have to be whatever [we are]”
That willingness also inspired the band to collaborate with artists outside the genre, including Towers. Ortiz met him in Miami after learning the Puerto Rican singer was “obsessed with my music.” Prior to that, her Marshmello DJ and producer welcomed Ortiz into the studio. “We’re trying to do his EDC rave,” explains Ortiz.
The ambition doesn’t stop there. I respect the way he moves and the way he shits. He’s American, brother. I am an american. We just come from different places. “
These are the kinds of risks the band is prepared to take. They want to mix genres, try something completely new, and “comrades, go global.” After selling out arenas and topping the charts, they’re in a place where they can do it all.”Now I can do this Marshmello shit. Now I can do this Myke Towers shit.” ,” says Ortiz. “My people respect that, and then we’re going to madly change the game.”