When many people think of Mexican music, the image of a Mariachi band in gold-trimmed charro suits usually comes to mind. More recently, the global charts have been dominated by “Regional Mexican” music, specifically the Banda sounds and Corridos Tumbados of artists like Peso Pluma.

However, Mexico’s musical landscape is as vast and diverse as its geography. From the accordion-heavy plains of the North to the Afro-Caribbean beats of the coasts, Mexican music is a living history of fusion, migration, and storytelling.

The European Heart of Northern Music

If you travel to Northern Mexico, you’ll hear the unmistakable sound of the accordion and the bajo sexto. Many are surprised to find that Música Norteña has deep European roots. In the 19th century, immigrants from Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic brought their instruments and rhythms—like the polka—to Northern Mexico.

The Art of Storytelling: Corridos

The Corrido is more than just a song; it is a narrative. Its origins trace back to the medieval troubadours of Europe who traveled from town to town sharing news. During the Mexican Revolution, Corridos in the south told the epic tales of heroes like Emiliano Zapata. Today, that tradition continues with the “Corridos Tumbados,” blending old-school storytelling with modern urban beats.

The Grandeur of Mexican Classical Music

Mexico’s musical diversity also reaches the grand concert halls. Our classical composers were masters at taking folk rhythms and elevating them into orchestral masterpieces.

The most iconic example is José Pablo Moncayo, whose “Huapango” is often considered Mexico’s second national anthem. It captures the rhythmic energy of the sones from the Gulf coast. We also have giants like Carlos Chávez, who integrated indigenous sounds into modern symphonies, and Manuel M. Ponce, whose romanticism made him a world-renowned figure in classical guitar and piano music.

Tropical Rhythms and African Roots

On the Mexican coasts, the vibe shifts entirely. Here, the influence of Africa and the Caribbean takes center stage. Mexico has embraced and transformed rhythms like the Cuban Son, the Dominican Bachata, and the Colombian Cumbia. Mexicans have a deep love for Cumbia, creating a unique, joyful fusion that is now the heartbeat of every party.

Echoes of the Mountains and the Son Jarocho

In the highlands of Guerrero and Oaxaca, the music takes a more introspective turn with the Chilenas. Meanwhile, in Veracruz, the Son Jarocho offers a vibrant and rhythmic experience. Its most famous export? “La Bamba”—a song that started as a regional folk tune and became a global anthem.

The Golden Age and the Romantic Soul

Mexico’s “Golden Age of Cinema” defined our romantic soul through the Bolero and the Trío. Songs like “Bésame Mucho” became the gold standard for serenatas. This was also the era of icons like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, the masters of Música Ranchera. To this day, no Mexican gathering is complete without a collective sing-along to classics like “El Rey” or “México Lindo y Querido.”

From Juan Gabriel to the Rock Boom

As the decades passed, Mexico continued to innovate. The 70s and 80s brought us the “Divo of Juárez,” Juan Gabriel, and the incredible voice of José José. We also saw the rise of Luis Miguel, a superstar across Latin America.

The 80s and 90s saw a “Boom” of Rock en Español. Bands like Mana, Café Tacvba, and La Maldita Vecindad redefined what it meant to be a young Mexican, blending rock energy with traditional Latin sounds.

Experience the Sound of Mexico

Whether it’s a powerful orchestral huapango or a high-energy cumbia, music offers a window into the Mexican soul.