In early 2019, the landscape of música mexicana began to experience a seismic shift. Driven by the groundbreaking corridos tumbados movement, with genre pioneer Natanael Cano at the helm — and eventually inspiring today’s hitmakers like Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma and more — this genre started to captivate the digital realm, finding its first audience on SoundCloud. Alongside this growing phenomenon, a deeply resonant style known as sad sierreño began to gain traction. Ever since, this evolution of música mexicana — a genre rooted in century-old tradition — continues to reveal new, intriguing forms as it progresses.
As this guitar-driven wave of innovation swept through the scene, and the mainstream charts, four acts emerged as some of the defining voices, each contributing to the genre in their own unique way.
Ivan Cornejo, who became a face of this new wave, has been a pivotal figure in shaping the booming sad sierreño scene. By blending emotionally charged lyrics with the distinct sound of an electric guitar, his 2021 hit "Está Dañana" inspired a whole generation. Continuing to influence the scene with his 2023 track "Donde Estás," Cornejo is solidifying his role in merging traditional elements with modern sensibilities.
“Every artist has their way of expressing ceremonial things in their own way. I tried to add a bit of alternative in there and because I also grew up listening to Arctic Monkeys, and psychedelic music like Tame Impala with a bit of folk in there, like Johnny Cash. So when you have a bunch of influences, it comes out in your music.” — Ivan Cornejo
“My inspiration comes from a lot of things. I grew up in a household where music was very big. I love playing the guitar,” says Cornejo. The first song he learned was “La Bamba” from watching the Richie Valens movie of the same name.
“I think it's very important to be proud of where you come from, your tradition, and to always keep that core in your music — to just express what you're proud of, and to be able to right from the heart,” he adds.
DannyLux, following the sevenfold increase in streams after his 2021 album Las Dos Caras del Amor, further showcased his impact with the release of DLux in 2023. His work has become synonymous with the transformative essence of sierreño music, marking him as a key contributor to its evolution.
“Spanish is a very romantic language. You say sentences in Spanish, and it doesn’t feel the same way in English. You can listen to my music in any scene, wherever you are in love or not. I also focus a lot on the melodies. If someone doesn't speak Spanish, they can still feel the vibes.” — DannyLux
Conexión Divina, breaking new ground as a pioneering queer female group within the genre, released Tres Mundos in 2023. Their album signifies a move toward greater inclusivity and diversity, enriching the sierreño tradition with their distinct voice and perspective.
“One world represents our Mexican roots. Another world represents our American roots because we grew up here. And there's a world in between that [unites] both cultures: Mexican American. That’s what unites us all.” — Conexión Divina
Xavi, recognized as Billboard’s Latin Artist on the Rise in January, has brought a dynamic flair to the genre with viral hits like “La Víctima” and “La Diabla.” His approach to his own strain of tumbados románticos infuses the regional Mexican music scene with a blend of raw energy and romantic nuance, appealing to audiences worldwide.
“I always listen to SoundCloud and stuff. All the good shit was there…I actually found out about the tumbado movimiento through SoundCloud.” — Xavi
“I listened to R&B, well, everything. My mom would wake me up with music by La India, Selena, Camila, and many others that inspired me,” says Xavi. “It's very similar to the style I have today…pop, sierreño, and regional. It’s a mix.”
Together, these artists are at the forefront of a cultural revival, redefining música mexicana by honoring their roots while navigating the complexities of their identities, setting the stage for the future of the genre, as heard first on SoundCloud.
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Story by Isabela Raygoza
