One of the most diverse music cultures is housed in Latin America.The music of Mexico reflects a melange of music genres from different countries, including Spain and Africa. A plethora of folk music artists from all around the world, especially the Europeans and Columbians, popularised Mexican music.Before Spanish colonization, the Aztecs ruled Mexico for several years. They were forcefully converted to Catholics, and thus, they were exposed to the Spanish Catholic culture through their teachings in music, instruments, and songs. With the emergence of Spanish colonization, African slaves were brought to Mexico, who further contributed to the music of Mexico. Together with these forms of music and the traditional folk music of the Aztecs, the Mexican music culture developed that soon captured the heart of millions.Mexican music brings out the passion for country, the history of freedom, and the patriots’ immense struggle. The songs represent the Mexican ranch lifestyle and reflect the hardships of people. The following sections will give you an insight into the poignant yet heartwarming genres of Mexican music.If you want to explore more musical facts, then check out the Chinese music facts and Classical music facts here at Kidadl.Mexican Music ArtistsThe music of Mexico is brought about by people of diverse cultures, races, and ethnicity. Mexican traditional music is a concoction of folk music from Europe, Africa, Columbia, Cuba, and numerous other parts of Latin America. However, the native Mexicans have always infused their own spark and creativity that has eventually contributed to the growth and popularity of modern Mexican pop music.The 18th century regional Mexican musical genre of Mariachi music was first brought to light by the popular mariachi band called Mariachi Vargas. Their Mexican folk music inspired several other Mexican bands who infused different musical genres. Lucha Villa and Lola Beltran were the first female Mariachi artists who presented some famous Mexican classics. Other Mariachi bands include Mariachi América de Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar and the Mariachi los Camperos, which was led by the renowned Mexican musician Nati Cano.The Ranchera music that represents poverty, pain, and betrayal through its lyrics became immensely popular during the 19th Century. Vicente Fernández, Pedro Infante, Antonio Aguilar, José Alfredo Jiménez, Chavela Vargas, Pepe Aguilar, Pepe Aguilar, and Jorge Negrete were Mexico’s musical icons who showcased some of the best Ranchera music that is cherished by people even now.The Mexican musicians Óscar Chávez and Gabino Palomares represented the various social and political stigmas through the bold lyrics and prominent beats of the Canto Nuevo musical genre.The popular music of Mexico is the Mexican Cumbia that displays the soulful rhythmic beats, originally symbolic of the brutalities faced by the Africans, Indians, and native slaves. At the same time, they were shackled by the European forces. Rigo Tovar, El Gran Silencio, Celso Piña, and Grupo Mojado were the most prominent Mexican artists who brought out the Cumbia form of music in the most fervent manner.The Mexican music market flourished with modern pop singers like Shakira, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Chayanne, Daddy Yankee, and many others. Although they are non-Mexican artists, their extensive contribution led to the transformation of traditional Mexican folk music to its contemporary pop and rock genres and the underlying Mexican style.Mexican Musical InstrumentsThe traditional instruments used are the violins, bass guitar, a vihuela, and the guitarrón. The string guitars were first used in Mariachi music and Ranchera music.The large bass guitar, also called the guitarrón, is a popular Mexican instrument primarily used in Mexican rock bands and folk music. The string guitar, harp, and trumpets are used in modern Mariachi bands.Facts About Mexican Music’s OriginsThe music of Mexico represents the Mexican revolution along with love and patriotism. It is a blend of different cultures that first originated when Spanish colonists settled in Mexico City and forced the natives into Catholicism. They exposed the natives to Spanish art and music and transformed Mexico City into Spanish colonies.The Europeans also brought Africans to Mexico around this time, whose upbeat musical genres were added to traditional Mexican folk music. Due to the blend of Spanish culture and traditions, the music of Mexico consists of an array of tones that range from rebellion to patriotism and bring out the various social stigmas. The intrepid Mexican composers further brought out the European music styles fused with jazz, blues, and Afro-Indian pop music.Mexican rock bands of the ’80s and ’90s comprised authentic music styles and true Mexican stories in their lyrics. The traditional rock instruments imparted heart-warming rhythms that instantly uplifted one’s spirit. The Nomads were the most common Mexican rock band of that time whose extremely popular music took the world into another dimension.Music of Mexico has Cuban and Cumbrian influences as well. Rumba, a lively music style that originated in Cuba and later became popular among the enslaved black Mexican community, has always been among Mexican hits. The upbeat styles of Bolero and Danzon, which are also from Cuba, have majorly influenced the music of Mexico.Mexican folk music is also influenced by Bohemian music and the European polka musical style. They are pretty similar to Banda music, which initially developed from the military bands of the Second Mexican Empire during the ’60s. Revolutionary leaders like Pancho Villa popularised Banda music through Mexico. It is rooted originally in the state of Sinaloa, which has gained fame due to the music band Banda el Recodo.The Mariachi is the most popular music of Mexico that was developed initially in the city of Cocula in Jalisco. It represents traditional Mexican folk music and is renowned throughout the Southwestern United States. Usually, five or six musicians form a Mariachi band, who sing Mexican folk music wearing traditional charro suits. Their instruments typically include a guitar, a vihuela, and at least two violins. The folk music by these bands is usually higher pitched than other music genres.Apart from the Mariachi, Banda, and the Canto Nuevo, popular folk music of Mexico also comprises the Son, Ranchera, and Corrido music forms. ‘Son’ simply means sound and represents a variety of music genres, among which Son Jarocho, Son Jaliscience, Los Soneritos, Son Guerrerense, Son Chiapaneco, Son Huasteco, Son Istmeño, are the most notable Mexican Son styles. This music form is accompanied by a traditional dance form that complements folk music beautifully.When we talk about Ranchera, it is basically a concoction of bolero, polka, or waltz and brings out the less complicated Son folk music. While Ranchera mostly resonates with poverty and betrayal and reminds one of the long-gone good old days, Corrido is more of narrative folk music that describes heroes or the tales of wars.What is the first Mexican song?It isn’t easy to trace the first Mexican song, as it has roots in Europe, Africa, and several other parts of the world. The traditional Mexican Son song, ‘La Bamba,’ was first sung by Trini Lopez in 1963.The old Mexican folk song, ‘La Cucaracha,’ came into light during the Mexican Revolution in the ’10s. Gaspar Vargas founded the popular Mariachi Vargas in 1897, who appeared in several Mexican films and delivered numerous songs.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 111 Fascinating Mexican Music Facts That You Will Enjoy Reading!, then why not take a look at Cuban music facts or Country music fun facts?
One of the most diverse music cultures is housed in Latin America.
