It’s no secret that reggaeton and Mexican music are fueling the growth of Latin music globally in 2025. And just like in reggaeton, a new generation of women in regional Mexican is taking center stage in what was once a male-dominated scene. Getting here took more than three decades and two iconic artists who fought for their rightful place in history.
When Jenni Rivera left Long Beach, California, with the dream of one day becoming the queen of banda — a subgenre of Mexican music driven by brass and percussion instruments — she had no role models that shared her identity. No woman before her had broken through in the genre, and although the journey wasn’t easy, she won the hearts of the masses, particularly resonating with women who had longed for an authentic figure to represent them. Through hits like 2012’s “Ovarios” and 2009’s “La Gran Señora,” Jenni went on to empower millions of women, and despite her tragic death in a plane crash in 2012, remains an icon in Latin music today.
From Corpus Christi, Texas, Selena Quintanilla, born just two years after Jenni Rivera in 1971, fought her way through another scene: Tejano music (a hybrid of traditional Mexican that sounds like cumbia, norteño and American country music). Trained from a young age to pursue music and backed unconditionally by her family, Quintanilla captured the hearts of the Mexican American public and eventually earned the respect of audiences across the border. With her unmatched voice and iconic style, Quintanilla left an indelible mark on the music world, and three decades after her passing, she continues to influence global superstars like Karol G. When Quintanilla was murdered in 1995, she had already begun her transition into pop music, connecting with fans in both English and Spanish — something not seen since Gloria Estefan in the ‘80s. The same year Quintanilla died, Rivera paid tribute to her with a norteño album, ‘Adiós a Selena.’
Gone but not forgotten, both figures are still celebrated through their music, as well as through series, movies and documentaries that explore their lives and allow new generations to discover them.
In 2025, although Mexican music continues to be male-dominated, the scene is much more welcoming for women, largely thanks to Rivera and Quintanilla, who opened doors for others to carve out their own paths in the movement.
Chiquis and Jacqie Rivera, both daughters of Jenni Rivera, carry on her legacy and continue to empower future generations of women by being unapologetically themselves. Likewise, Angela Aguilar and Majo Aguilar, who were born into the dynasty of Pepe Aguilar and Antonio Aguilar, proudly represent the musical heritage they were born into, while continuing to modernize the traditional mariachi and ranchera sound. The same can be said of Lupita Infante, the daughter of Pedro Infante Jr and granddaughter of Pedro Infante, and Camila Fernández, daughter of Alejandro Fernández.
Estevie has revitalized the cumbia sound that Selena Quintanilla pioneered, while Becky G has been exploring her Mexican roots across several albums. Belinda, who has had a successful pop career, is crafting a new sound she calls corridos coquette (or flirty and feminine corridos).
Dive into this collection of tracks featuring Chiquis and Jacqie Rivera, Angela Aguilar and Majo Aguilar, Lupita Infante, Camila Fernandez and Becky G, to name a few, and hear how these figures and many more are taking regional Mexican music into the future while honoring those who paved the way.
LISTEN TO THE WOMEN OF MUSICA MEXICANA ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Ángela Aguilar, “El Equivocado”
Now 21, Angela Aguilar has been touring with her father Pepe Aguilar since childhood and released her first single at age nine. She was recently honored with the Breakthrough Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. This single is a warm-up to her upcoming mariachi album, ‘Nadie Se Va Como Llegó,’ due May 28.
Majo Aguilar, “Que Te Vaya Bien”
Another voice from the Aguilar dynasty, Majo Aguilar is Angela’s cousin (and daughter of the legendary Antonio Aguilar). Her career began with tribute covers of her grandmother, the actress and singer Flor Silvestre, and she continues to develop her own sound in ranchera music.
Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Que Puedo Perder”
Hailing from the Yakima Valley in central Washington, Yahritza y Su Esencia is formed by the Martínez siblings (Yahritza, Jairo, and Mando), who grew up working the fields with their father. In 2022, they took the guitar-driven sierreño genre by storm with the single “Soy el Unico,” led by Yahritza’s powerful vocals.
Estevie, “Un Error”
A California native, Sarah Silva (known by her stage name Estevie) inevitably draws comparisons to Selena Quintanilla. Although the late Tejano queen has clearly influenced her, Estevie is making her own mark on cumbia by blending it with a pop sound.
Lupita Infante, “Me Vuelves Loca”
A member of one of Mexico’s most iconic musical dynasties, Lupita — the daughter of Pedro Infante Jr and granddaughter of Pedro Infante — has ranchera music in her blood. But success was never handed to her, and at one point she worked as an Uber driver while chasing her music career. That sacrifice clearly paid off.
Becky G & Tito Double P, “Crisis”
Rebecca Gomez, known as Becky G, has been active in music for nearly half her life, starting in 2011. After achieving success in the English and Spanish pop scenes, the Inglewood, California native has recently dedicated herself to Mexican music, reconnecting with her roots and collaborating with artists like Peso Pluma and Tito Double P.
Ivonne Galaz, “Mami”
When the corridos tumbados scene exploded thanks to Natanael Cano, Ivonne Galaz was one of the few women on the scene. Impressed by her talent, Cano recorded a song written by Galaz, “Golpes de la Vida” in 2019, which launched her career. The singer-songwriter from Ciudad Obregón, Mexico, has been creating her own music since the age of seven, when she first picked up a guitar — and she’s never put it down since.
Camila Fernández, “No Puedo Dormir Sin Ti”
Though corridos have received a lot of attention recently, mariachi music is still very much alive thanks to figures like Camila Fernández, daughter of the legendary Alejandro Fernández. It’s common to see the two perform together onstage as they’ve done recently during the De Rey a Rey tour.
Chiquis, “Amor Propio”
Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter launched her music career in 2014 by releasing a tribute song dedicated to her mother, “Paloma Blanca.” Since then, she has found success alternating between banda, cumbia and ranchera music. Chiquis is also a thriving entrepreneur and television host.
Adriana Rios, “No Fuimos”
Another powerful voice in mariachi music is Adriana Rios. The singer-songwriter from Tijuana rose to prominence during the pandemic with her song “Está en Ti,” which gave people hope in uncertain times.
Cheli Madrid, “No Me Lamentaré”
From Sinaloa, Mexico, Cheli Madrid began singing at age 10, inspired by the music of Joan Sebastian. Today, she is known for her banda sound, as well as mariacheño (a hybrid of mariachi and norteño music).
Jacqie Rivera, “En Partes”
On her new album ‘En Otra Vida,’ Jacqie Rivera (daughter of Jenni Rivera) delivers romantic pop ballads with traditional touches like the accordion, showcasing her pride in her Mexican heritage. Hear Jacqie Rivera break down the making of key tracks from ‘En Otra Vida,’ exclusively on SoundCloud’s Voice Notes.
Lluvia Arámbula, “No Se Ni Tu Nombre”
Another voice making waves in the corridos movement, Lluvia Arámbula is a singer from Oklahoma who plays the requinto guitar and decided to start her career because “there weren’t any women in Mexican music.” Today, she’s an inspiration to young girls everywhere.
Belinda & Xavi, “Mírame Feliz”
A pop superstar and actor since childhood, Belinda could’ve comfortably stayed in her lane. But in 2024, she surprised everyone with her break-up single “Cactus.” Belinda declared it was part of a new sound she calls corridos coquette (or feminine and flirty corridos), and has since collaborated with Natanael Cano, Tito Double P and Xavi.
Helen Ochoa, “Código de Morras”
From California, Helen Ochoa has drawn attention in the banda scene. Inspired by José Alfredo Jose Alfredo Jimenez, José José, and of course, Jenni Rivera, Ochoa fuses traditional Mexican music with a contemporary pop sound.
Ingrid Contreras, “Top 3”
Having grown up listening to Marco Antonio Solis and Rocio Durcal, Ingrid Contreras blends mariachi and pop, singing to women about their life experiences.
Laraim, “No Me Arrepiento”
This young star gained recognition in 2017 by covering Banda MS. Since then, Laraim has written songs for Grupo Firme and collaborated with Noel Torres. Today, she is crafting her own sound within the mariacheño movement.
NXNNI, “No Te Pelaron”
Many women are creating their own take on corridos. One of them is NXNNI from Monterrey, Mexico, who is behind corridoskawaii. As she explains it, “kawaii in Japanese means cute, and it’s something sparkly and beautiful. I write about things that happen to girls.”
LISTEN TO THE WOMEN OF MUSICA MEXICANA ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
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