Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Los Originales de San Juan, a Norteño Quartet based in California, has 25 albums to their name and a long history of hard work and controversy, mostly stemming from two self-released singles which both told stories of drug dealers. One of these singles became a massive hit on Norteño and Tejano radio, leading to a deal with EMI Latin.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
It’s not strange that a heartbroken lover asks for five more minutes. It’s a sad scene, usually with its share of tears and humiliation. Five more minutes, please, a last chance to explain and ask for forgiveness. And that’s the only thing that Mexican diva, Gloria Trevi, is going to concede.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
"No Puedo Verte" (I Can’t See You) is a perfect title for a band called La Gusana Ciega (The Blind Worm). But this video is not about visual handicaps; it’s a testament to the painful sight of a long lost love in new caring arms.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
"No me tientes" (“Don’t tempt me!”) is both a warning and a plea in this song from Yabla favorite, La Gusana Ciega. Despite the lyrics’ drama and the high-speed car chase, we are pleased to report that no one was hurt in the making of this video.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
These guys are partially obsessed with stardom, or at least with astronomy. Now they’re talking about “el núcleo de Belanova,” the core of their energy.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
In this concert at their natal Guadalajara, Belanova wanted to showcase the local talent. That’s why they invited a local group of musicians for this song, imparting a new sound to one of their best known hits.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Pepe Aguilar is an American singer of Mexican descent whose parents were legends in Mexican show biz. At the ripe ol’ age of 5, Pepe made his singing debut at Madison Square Garden, at his father’s side. And while he admits to crying with fear, Pepe must have enjoyed himself: He became a regular member of his dad’s band and then launched a solo career.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Zoé, an experimental pop-rock quintet from Mexico, brings us this surreal video featuring Japanese teenagers. No Me Destruyas casts a sweet, harmless-looking jovencita as a dangerous villain with colmillos afilados.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Belanova, the electropop band from Mexico, sounds like it was influenced by nightclub epiphanies, Japanese anime and sweet lollipops. "Niño", one of the songs off their album Dulce Beat, is a painful goodbye, adios, au revoir, arrivederci—but it’s somehow lightened by the constant use of the word “boy” (niño) to address the unlucky target of the bad news.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Moenia may be considered one of the first modern, successful, experimental Mexican groups, finding commercial viability in a market normally dominated by old-style Latin crooners, Ranchera and Cumbia. Heavily influenced by ‘80s bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, Moenia surged in ‘92 but fell out of public favor in the mid ‘90s when a key member quit. More recently, the reunited band has won over new fans with songs infused with ‘80s-style electronica.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Abraham Quintanilla, III (also known as the brother of late Tejano singer Selena) was one of the founding members of Los Kumbia Kings, a band he broke away from in early 2006 to form the Kumbia All-Starz, garnering many hits including "Speedy Gonzalez". The Kumbia All-Starz are from Texas.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
When one of their friends suggested that the band’s name should be Belafunk, just half of a bell rang for them. They wanted something more cosmic, stellar, and looking in the closest encyclopedia they ran into the word Nova. That’s how Belanova — a beautiful star — got its name.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Belinda Peregrín Schull, was born in Madrid, but moved with her family at the age of four to Mexico City. At the age of 18 Belinda had already become an international superstar for both her albums and starring roles in various telenovelas as well as a role in the Disney Channel’s Cheetah Girls.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
We skip backstage once again to get some final thoughts from La Gusana Ciega, learning a bit more about their career and personnel changes. Like many of Mexico’s popular bands today, they got their start at a Mexico City club called Cocotitlán, which is also the name of a municipality well known for its corn festival.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Juan is a seller of large garden plants in the fashionable La Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City. Luckily for us, he was willing to tell us a little about his lovely merchandise, most of which grows native in the lush mountains of Oaxaca.
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