On this week’s Billboard Cultura Clash episode, banda and corridos singer Lupillo Rivera; Jimmy Humilde, founder and CEO of upstart regional Mexican label Rancho Humilde; and Sergio Lizárraga, CEO of Lizos Music discuss the future of regional Mexican music. And whether the genre has been "saved" or "cursed" by the influence of urban and hip-hop.
"It's helping," says Lizárraga, also founder and manager of Banda MS. "It's strengthening what was already strong. For me, personally, I like it because it's taking a risk. It's doing things differently."
But not everyone agrees, adds Humilde, who's Rancho Humilde roster includes corridos tumbados singer-songwriter Natanael Cano. "A lot of our Mexican music pioneers don't agree. All sorts of people have insulted us ... but the youth here in the U.S. needed something new."
The three guests also went on to talk about the name of the genre "regional Mexican," which to some, could sound limiting as the genre continues to grow beyond Mexico and the U.S. For Humilde, the name should reflect the genre's evolved sound and newfound global appeal.
"They should change the name We aren't 'regional,' our Mexican music is heard worldwide. It should be called International Mexican Music," he suggests.
Billboard's Cultura Clash premiered live during 2021 Latin Music Week, where artists Kany Garcia, Yotuel Romero and Chocquibtown’s Goyo and Tostao, had a conversation about social justice.
Executive produced by Billboard’s Shira Brown, Lee Schneller, and Leila Cobo, and produced by Jessica Roiz, Griselda Flores, Lesley Corral and Jordyn Rolling, Cultura Clash will include singers, songwriters, producers and actors as guests on the show and will feature Ally Brooke, Kali Uchis, Paloma Mami, Elena Rose, Edgar Barrera, Ovy on the Drums, Beatriz Luengo and more.
A new episode airs every Wednesday on Billboard.com, social media, and on Billboard's YouTube channel. Watch this week’s episode above.
