Latin American Music - Popular Music Styles By Country - Mexico

Mexico

Main articles: Mexican music, Mariachi, Ranchera, Bolero, Norteño (music), Banda (music), Huapango, Son Jarocho, and Danzón

Mexico is perhaps one of the most musically diverse countries in the world. Each of its 31 states, its capital city and each of Mexico City's boroughs claim unique styles of music. The most representative genre is mariachi music. Although commonly misportrayed as buskers, mariachis musicians play extremely technical, structured music or blends such as jarabe. Most mariachi music is sung in verses of prose poetry. Ranchera, Mexico's country music, differs from mariachi in that it is less technical and its lyrics are not sang in prose. Other regional music includes: son jarocho, son huasteco, Veracruzan danzón, Mexican mambo, bolero, Trio, cha-cha-chá, cumbia sonidera, Mexican pop, rock en español, Mexican rock and canto nuevo. There is also music based on sounds made by dancing (such as the zapateada) which some believe gave origin to flamenco after the Conquistadores brought it back to Spain and claimed it as their own.

Northeastern Mexico is home to another popular style called norteña, which assimilates Mexican ranchera with Colombian cumbia and is typically played with Bavarian accordions and Bohemian polka influence. Variations of norteña include duranguense, tambora sinaloense, corridos and nortec (norteño-techno). The eastern part of the country makes heavy use of the harp, typical of the son arocho style. The music in southern Mexico is particularly represented by its use of the marimba, which has its origins in the Soconusco region between Mexico and Guatemala.

Mambo music is generally associated with Cuba; however, Mexico's role in the development and expansion of the genre is often overlooked due to the fact that the Gulf states of Mexico popularized mambo, but in Cuba it was popular throughout the country. One of mambo's major composers was Perez Prado, who composed successfully in Mexico City. Mexican mambo is said to be more technical and refined; its use of brass is less aggressive than its Caribbean counterpart.

The north-central states have recently spawned a Tecktonik-style music, combining electro and other dance genres with more traditional music.