Chalino Sánchez, the “King of Corridos,” would have turned 65 on Aug. 30. Whereas his tragic homicide in Could 1992 ended his life, his musical legacy continues to thrive.
Discover
See newest movies, charts and information
Because of know-how, a few of his timeless recordings are being introduced again to life by way of collaborations with different artists. Fifteen of Sánchez’s tracks, owned by Cintas Acuario — a label based mostly in Lengthy Seaside, California — are being reimagined for a brand new mission.
“I purchased the songs from him; they’re mine. That’s how we did enterprise,” Pedro Rivera, proprietor of the label, shared solely with Billboard Español. (Rivera is the daddy of regional Mexican music stars Lupillo Rivera and the late Jenni Rivera.) “We revered one another deeply. Chalino was one of the vital loyal males I’ve ever met — he at all times saved his phrase.”
The primary launch from this mission is “Rigo Campos,” a tune written greater than 30 years in the past by Mario Quintero, the lead singer of Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Chalino recorded his personal model again within the day, however the two by no means met in individual. Now, by way of the magic of know-how, they’re singing collectively in a music video that premiered on Thursday, Aug. 28.
“It took over three years from the primary assembly to at present’s launch,” Quintero, thrilled by the tune’s reception, informed Billboard Español. It has already turn into a trending subject in Mexico. “Sadly, I by no means received the prospect to fulfill Chalino… [But] know-how made it attainable for Los Tucanes and Chalino to look collectively within the video as if he had been nonetheless right here.”
Sánchez rose to fame within the late ’80s and early ’90s together with his corridos within the California music scene. His uncooked, unpolished voice and easy model resonated with migrant communities and working-class listeners. Songs like “Nieves de Enero,” “Alma Enamorada” and “Baraja de Oro” grew to become classics.
On Could 16, 1992, he was murdered in Culiacán, Sinaloa, after a efficiency. He was solely 31 years outdated.
Quintero, who because the chief of Los Tucanes heads one of the vital revered norteño and corrido teams out there, spoke to Billboard Español about “Rigo Campos,” the present restrictions on corridos in Mexico, and even a attainable World Cup anthem within the works:
Billboard Español: What are the Origins of “Rigo Campos”?
Quintero: The tune relies on a well known occasion in Tijuana, I believe it was round 1991. It was talked about quite a bit on the information in each Mexico and the U.S. Again then, we had been simply beginning out, and even to today, I draw inspiration from real-life occasions. I wrote the tune, and it grew to become widespread regionally. I used to go to file shops to take a look at new releases and see if anybody had recorded considered one of my songs. At some point, I used to be stunned to seek out the tune on a cassette by Chalino Sánchez. I bear in mind opening it and seeing that it credited him because the creator. My pleasure instantly turned to disappointment. Seems, he had heard it from us, favored it and recorded it with Cintas Acuario. The tune was already registered to me, so we cleared every part up.
How did this specific collaboration come about?
Juan Rivera [Pedro Rivera’s son] reached out to ask me to participate on this album they’re producing with Chalino’s songs. I believed it was such an thrilling concept, and naturally, I used to be honored to incorporate my tune. It took over three years from our first assembly to now releasing “Rigo Campos.” We’re overjoyed with the general public’s response. Sadly, I by no means received to fulfill Chalino. There was this one time he had a press convention in Tijuana, however we had been busy working and couldn’t go. I had wished to thank him for recording my tune, however the alternative by no means got here up. Now, by way of know-how, we had been in a position to deliver him again to life within the video, and it’s as if he’s actually there with us. It was an enormous effort by the groups at Cintas Acuario and Grasp Q Music to make it occur. The toughest half was bringing Chalino’s essence into the current, however they nailed it.
Why do you assume Chalino’s legacy endures so a few years after his dying?
Chalino had this distinctive capability to take well-known songs and make them his personal together with his distinctive model. That’s what made him so profitable. After all, he was additionally closely criticized, however individuals couldn’t ignore his authenticity. He wasn’t attempting to mimic anybody — he was born to be an unique, and that’s why he’s nonetheless such a large affect in norteño and banda music. Producing this tune was such a satisfying expertise. Listening to his voice straight from the unique tapes, you notice how highly effective it was. He didn’t want backing vocals; he was naturally in tune and easily unimaginable. Again then, there wasn’t the know-how now we have now, so listening to him sing was really particular. Recording this duet with him now looks like a dream come true. It didn’t occur earlier than, but it surely’s occurring now — and that’s what issues.
What do you assume of the present bands and restrictions of corridos in Mexico?
We love corridos, however we additionally respect the principles in each place we carry out. We perceive the scenario. The issue isn’t with corridos themselves; there are broader social points at play. I believe the authorities have good intentions, and we at all times observe any guidelines or restrictions. For instance, at our current present on the Auditorio Telmex in Guadalajara, we weren’t allowed to carry out any corridos. After all, some followers wished to listen to them, however we respect the legislation. On the finish of the day, the legislation is the legislation, and now we have to observe it as residents. The place we’re allowed to carry out corridos, we’ll. The place we’re not, we’ll simply play “La Chona” 3 times, or “El Tucanazo,” or “Me Gusta Vivir de Noche.” We’ve received loads of songs in our repertoire.
Talking about “La Chona,” it’s turn into a serious hit and performed in lots of sporting occasions. Any plans to make use of it through the World Cup?
Because the composer of “La Chona,” it’s such an honor and a privilege to see it nonetheless going robust. Daily, we get movies from all around the world of individuals dancing and singing alongside to it. Once we first recorded it, I didn’t even just like the tune that a lot — I most well-liked others. But it surely carved out its personal place, and now, greater than 30 years later, new generations are nonetheless loving it. For the World Cup, we’re engaged on a mission that I believe followers are going to like. Within the meantime, we’re heading to Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and Bolivia this yr, and subsequent yr we’ll be taking our music to Spain. Europe is changing into such an essential marketplace for regional Mexican music.
A number of days in the past you performed for over 100,000 individuals. Why do Los Tucanes nonetheless draw massive crowds?
I believe we’ve earned the love of our followers by way of our music and the way in which we’re. Los Tucanes are a kind of teams that may do all of it — romantic songs, corridos, cumbias — we combine norteño music with different genres. I believe that’s why now we have such a particular place in individuals’s hearts. There are additionally individuals who grew up listening to our music however by no means received to see us reside, so they arrive to our reveals now. And it’s so touching to see a number of generations at our concert events — mother and father, youngsters, even grandparents. It’s such a blessing.
