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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mexican regional music — a catchall term that encompasses mariachi, banda, corridos, norteño, sierreño and other genres — has proved to be anything but regional, playing a key role in the continued dominance of Latin music. But even as the genre’s stars top the charts and headline top-earning concerts, its recent mainstream globalization has notably left out women’s voices. The issue isn’t new. Women have long fought for representation in genres like hip-hop and country, and while some styles have made strides toward gender parity, Mexican regional music is among those that have lagged. Now, women are carving their own space, often singing lyrics that differ from their male counterparts, tailored around love, heartbreak and the woman’s experience. “In this particular genre, women are still maybe feeling their way,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin music coverage. “I think there’s a big opportunity for someone to kind of seize that spot, explore and see what happens.” Male artists like Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano spearheaded the genre’s recent wave, which first bubbled up in late 2023, and saw corridos tumbados, a subgenre of Mexican regional music, skyrocket. This modern take infuses the traditional musical style with hip-hop and trap elements, with lyrics that explore the complex and ever-evolving experience of Mexican Americans on both sides of the border — and now more women are embracing it. Mexican American singer Becky G said her start in the genre years ago “came naturally and it never felt like riding a wave,” adding that “It almost felt like we were a part of making it.”
