Fuerza Regida was honored with the Billboard Vanguard Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
The group from San Bernardino, California, was recognized for a career defined by innovation and an unconventional creative vision that has pushed the boundaries of música Mexicana and expanded the genre’s reach around the world.
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The band, a finalist for 12 awards this year, is also set to take the stage for a special performance during the ceremony, which will broadcast live on Telemundo and Peacock from the James L. Knight Center in Miami.
“How’s everyone doing? Good evening. What did we win today?” asked the group’s leader, vocalist Jesús Ortiz Paz (JOP), to his bandmate Moisés López, who was holding the trophy. “We’re a bit at a loss for words — there aren’t many words to say — but this represents a 10-year journey, a lot of hard work and a great deal of effort. I want to thank our fans, our families, the team at Street Mob Records and all our people. Thank you so much.”
“We’re going to keep working, and we’re going to conquer the world, God willing,” he added, expressing his gratitude for the honor. The award was presented to them by members of Clave Especial — who are part of Fuerza Regida’s label, Street Mob Records — and Los Gemelos de Sinaloa, both of whom are also representatives of the new generation of Mexican music.
Moments earlier, the band had taken the stage alongside Mexican-American musician Chuyin to perform “Pues Ya Ni Pedo.” Dressed in white suits and wearing replicas of the large mask that conceals Chuyin’s identity, Fuerza Regida got the audience in the venue dancing.
The Billboard Vanguard Award honors artists who dare to go beyond the conventional. It recognizes those who, through their talent, inspire, innovate and open new possibilities in the world of music. The award celebrates true visionaries, artists who break barriers, redefine standards and leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
Formed in 2015, Fuerza Regida has become one of the most influential acts in Mexican music, honoring its roots while continuing to take the genre into new territories. The group — which also includes José “Pelón” García, Moisés López, Khrystian Ramos and Samuel Jaimez — has developed a unique sound and identity rooted in their bicultural experience, resonating with audiences far beyond the traditional boundaries of the genre and geography.
With over 46 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 35 billion career streams and 16 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, Fuerza Regida has transformed that vision into a global impact. Their hits include “Marlboro Rojo,” “TQM,” “El Jefe” with Shakira and “Tu Boda” with Óscar Maydon, which reached No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs and No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200.
In 2025, the group hit another milestone when their ninth studio album, 111XPANTIA, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest-charting Spanish-language album by a duo or group in the all-genre chart’s history. In its second week, the LP reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums.
Beyond the charts, Fuerza Regida became the first regional Mexican group to perform at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw and brought Mexican music to Paris Fashion Week, where JOP attended KidSuper’s runway show from the front row. On stage, they set a record as the highest-selling Latin act in the history of Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, sold out shows at Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl in the same weekend, and performed for tens of thousands of fans in Mexico and Latin America.
In 2026, they’re taking that momentum to an even bigger scale with the first-ever stadium tour in the U.S. by a regional Mexican group. The band also sit for a Superstar Q&A on Tuesday (Oct. 20) at Billboard Latin Music Week, before headlining the Billboard En Vivo showcase that night.
The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony is also be available on the Telemundo app, Peacock and Telemundo Internacional across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The gala brings together the most prominent figures in Latin music for an evening of unforgettable performances, collaborations, and special honors. In addition to Fuerza Regida, this year’s special honorees include Cristian Castro, with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award; Rubén Blades, with the Billboard Icon Award; and Rosalía with the Billboard Hall of Fame Award.
