As the modern-day corridos movement continues to boom across both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond — while also leaving a significant imprint on the Billboard charts — a blooming scene takes place in Monterrey, Mexico, where a new sub-genre of regional music has been born: “bélico indie.”
Now, Fonovisa Records captures this new and growing alternative wave of corridos bélicos — which combines elements of sierreño and corridos with an urbano flair — in a soon-to-be-released compilation album comprising 15 emerging bands and artists, similarly titled Bélico Indie.
The first two singles of the project kick off on Friday (Oct. 6) with “La Primiza” by Grupo 3 Mandos and “El 10” by Eduardo Carrillo. The latter is also the producer and one of the architects of this initiative, which aims to promote a new generation of artists.
“One of the things we have enjoyed the most about this project is that we have learned more [about the craft] over time. We have been able to get to know different styles of many groups from Monterrey. That helped us a lot in the way to connect with them, to produce better for them, to understand what they were singing about,” said Carrillo in a press release. “As an artist, it has been an honor to have been given this space, this opportunity, to someone who really comes from the ground, and to be given a national platform from the label.”
Another fundamental figure responsible for gathering the talent involved is Jorge Loayzat, A&R manager at Fonovisa DISA/Universal Music Group. “Working on the Bélico Indie project has been one of my greatest satisfactions,” says Loayzat. “This collective is born from the streets, where we find countless musicians who are building their dreams and working hard to find an opportunity that allows them to professionalize their music and make a living from it.”
Week after week, Fonovisa will release new music on all streaming platforms, leading up to its compilation, slated for November 23.
Other featured acts include Sahir Montoya, Ángel Cano, DaniUniverse, Banda La Real de Monterrey, Manuel Alejo, Octavio Cuadras, La Nueva Nación, Clasificación 13, Naresh, W. Corona, Última Evidencia, Grupo Los Del 70 and NXNNI.
“We always dreamed of working with the best, and that’s what we are doing,” says DaniUniverse, who is another rising star from this upcoming release. “Working with Universal is not just any label. It’s going deeper into professionalism, taking that leap we needed to feel it more real, and to believe it more.”
Loayazt adds, “We are always looking for new talents, new voices, or innovating musical concepts that reach the hearts of the people. I feel very happy and satisfied to be promoting [a group of] talented young people.”
Below, watch a video about Fonovisa’s new project:
