Category: Music News

Legión Alterna’s new single

The dynamic “norteño alternativo” ensemble from Chihuahua, Mexico presents their new single. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Legión Alterna, a norteño group originally from Chihuahua, México, continues their successful musical journey after their debut during the COVID pandemic. The quartet has introduced a new and singular music style, giving honor to their name – “Legión” means group and “Alterna” means alternative. Each of the group members has strong musical backgrounds, which have converted Legión Alterna into one of the most unique ensembles of today. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

Each member draws influences from different genres, including classic rock, funk, reggae, and progressive Regional Mexican. These diverse elements add to the group’s alternative approach to the Regional Mexican genre. Moreover, the members have also been part of other musical groups and have experience in recording studios. Legión Alterna performs a variety of styles, but unlike other artists in Regional Mexican music, they do not perform songs with lyrics that mention drug trafficking and organized crime.

Legión Alterna’s goal is to present songs with socially conscious lyrics that the public can identify with. Their upcoming single, “Te Va A Doler” (“You Will Feel Hurt”), is a ballad with pop-rock influences, and their full-length album will be launched this fall with 10 original songs bringing classic norteño and alternative rock influences together.

After observing the musical preferences of younger generations, Edwin Reyes (Bajo Quinto and Vocals), Richi Ibarvo (Accordion and Vocals), Gio Ramírez (Bass), and Martin Parra (Drums) decided to create a new norteño project featuring a diversity of other musical influences, resulting in the formation of Legión Alterna. Each member carries norteño music in their veins but also loves other genres, giving the group an alternative touch.

Their most recent single “Pasajes De La Vida” (Stages of Life), is a socially conscious corrido about a man who grew up impoverished but succeeded in life via hard work. Another one of their singles “Dos Caminos” (“Two Paths”) invites listeners to reflect upon the story of a young man and his bad decisions, which ultimately change his life. The lyrics also truly give justice to the song title, conveying how we all face the reality of having to choose between good and bad paths.

Legión Alterna is an original, alternative norteño group whose focus is to produce and perform socially relevant songs with impeccable execution.

Banjoist and songwriter Justin Hiltner releases Dolly covers

The openly gay banjo player and songwriter’s two-song single release features popular arrangements of two Dolly Parton classics. Photo: google

Justin Hiltner is a queer, disabled, IBMA Award-nominated banjo player, songwriter, and music writer most recently heard on the Peabody Award-winning podcast Dolly Parton’s America. His debut record, Watch It Burn, made with longtime co-writer Jon Weisberger, was released in 2018. Hiltner is Associate Editor for The Bluegrass Situation, where he co-founded and produces Shout & Shine, a showcase, column, and video series celebrating representation in bluegrass and beyond. He also currently serves as chair of the board for Bluegrass Pride, a non-profit with a mission of uplifting LGBTQ+ folks in roots music. Hiltner’s solo debut, 1992, will be self-released in the fall of 2021. (IV-PR, 2021)

He will release an A side/B side single on April 30, 2021, featuring two Dolly Parton covers, as heard on WNYC Studios’ Dolly Parton’s America in November of 2019. Country Queer premiered the second track on the Silver Dagger release, “Wildflowers,” which features folk, bluegrass, and children’s music legends Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer on harmony vocals. Stream “Wildflowers” on Country Queer here. Both tracks will be available to stream everywhere on Friday, April 30, 2021.

The two songs not only hearken back to the extremely popular sixth episode of Dolly Parton’s America, “The Only One for Me, Jolene,” which highlighted the queer narratives and homoerotic themes present in Parton’s body of work, they also preview Hiltner’s upcoming debut solo album, 1992, which was tracked during the same recording sessions at Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s mountaintop studio in Western North Carolina. 

As he pointed out on Dolly Parton’s America, Hiltner sees “Wildflowers” as oozing with queerness, a story about migration and relocation, living one’s truth, and trying to find a sense of belonging – all themes so easily related to queerness. “Silver Dagger,” the first and titular track of the single release, is less directly connected to Hiltner’s experiences as an openly queer person in the more traditional spaces of American roots music, and speaks more to his own coming out journey and the barriers he and his family experienced during that journey.

Hiltner signals that these songs are merely the beginning, his first forays as a true solo artist – and his first ever recordings backed by solo banjo, alone – with more singles and his debut full-length solo LP due in the Fall 2021. “Dolly Parton’s America was such a wonderful introduction to the world, in a way,” Hiltner continues. “I’m so excited to reconnect with fans of the podcast and with new fans, listeners, and queer family members, too, as we all go on this new journey together – the journey of Justin the solo artist!” 

“Working with Cathy & Marcy was a dream on so many levels. But getting to add their harmonies to this queer reimagining of ‘Wildflowers’ was especially poignant to me, as we strive for a more equitable present and future in bluegrass, country, and roots music, we have to be looking to the folks who went before us and blazed the trail!” – Justin Hiltner

Upcoming new album release: Room to Dream by Ryan Kinder

Two new singles from the album, ‘Hell Is’ and “Blame’ are available now. Room to Dream will be out July 30, 2021. Photo: google

Ryan Kinder launched his performing career as a teenager in the clubs around his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. His music has since carried him to Nashville and a tour with two of his musical heroes. Kinder uses his tour dates to bolster his charitable organization, Kinder’s Kids, that provides toys to children in the aftermath of national disasters. In his tour riders, Kinder asks each venue to supply a toy for the foundation. About his debut album, “It’s a riff-roaring rock with a sweet side of Southern soul” – that is how country music’s newest renaissance man Ryan Kinder describes the sound of Room To Dream. Two new singles ‘Hell Is’ and ‘Blame’ are available now. The album will be out Friday, July 30, 2021. (IV-PR, 2021)

Last week, Sounds Like Nashville premiered ‘Hell Is,’ a radio-ready heartbreaker inspired by an argument overheard in a YMCA locker room. “‘Hell Is’ brings to life the raw, agonizing emotions that follow a heartbreak,” the Sounds Like Nashville article reads. “With its genre-blurring arrangement, Kinder’s soul-crying delivery is augmented as he recounts his insufferable emotional state.” On the other hand—and further illustrating the ground Kinder covers on Room To Dream — Raised Rowdy shared a video for ‘Blame,’ a huge-sounding, guitar-laden rocker driven along with stomps, claps, and thick background vocals. Raised Rowdy praised the track, stating, “It’s loud, hits hard, and gets your attention from the start,” before claiming, “the track highlights just how powerful his vocals truly are while giving listeners a taste for his range at the same time.” Fans can hear both of these singles now at this link.

Today, Kinder is a proudly independent artist and he is ready to share Room To Dream. “I had a lot of time to figure out what I wanted to do after a certain time in my life, and all these songs came together with different aspects of who I was when I wrote them,” he concludes. “It was a beautiful realization that some of the bad things and not-so-fun situations led to the opportunity for me to have the room to dream, and to really be myself.”

Room To Dream Track list:
Something
Hell Is
Room To Dream
Tangled Up
Blame
Southbound
Want
Friends
Jane
Nothing But Time

‘Blame’ – one of the new singles from the new album

Mexican rock and pop-punk band The Supuestos release second single and video

The Supuestos’ ‘Apuesta En Mi’ is an animated video inspired by love lost during the pandemic. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Mexican rock and pop-punk trio The Supuestos are excited to present their second single and animated video “Apuesta En Mi.” Featuring energetic guitar riffs and heart-pounding drum lines, the song takes listeners on a musical roller coaster ride while the video immerses viewers deeper into the vibrant, animated world of The Supuestos, with the band being trapped by the same group of aliens that captured the woman in their first video. It also depicts a fight against a succubus-like demon inside a casino and other out of this world imagery. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

The single’s lyrics explore the themes of love and relationships, emphasizing how we occasionally need to take chances. Founder Kenio Chavero comments, “I once had a girlfriend who was scared to take our relationship to the next level. My feelings of longing for her to take a bet on me came out while writing the song.”

Chihuahua based The Supuestos was born during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes members of the Mexican punk band Seis Pistos. With no venues to perform live, Kenio, Yorsh and el Shinobi found refuge by rehearsing and recording, giving birth to The Supuestos. The new band is driven by two universal powers: rock ‘n’ roll and love. These two pillars serve as both emotional and artistic sustenance for the members as they continue developing their sound.

Their first single, “No Me Digas Adiós,” is a fast-paced, headbanging song that reflect upon the difficulty of ending a relationship and is accompanied by a colorful animated video by the illustrator Manuel Fermont and Sergio Jaso featuring aliens, milkshakes, skateboards, and a re-kindled romance. Tight guitar lines and drum rhythms sustain the drive from start to end.

Music, animation, and virtual reality are equally important for The Supuestos. The band’s goal is to immerse listeners and viewers in a cartoon-like world with a wild and fun soundtrack. Each of their videos are chapters of a longer story.

Renowned producer Fausto Juárez launches new regional Mexican music project

Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project, Legión Alterna. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The renowned producer, arranger and composer Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project Legión Alterna. Launched under his recording label Lamat Records, the new project has been Juárez’ primary focus the past year. He has been working full time on their new material, practicing, studying music, composing, and choosing songs for their productions, which they have been releasing every few months. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

In 2009, Juárez independently opened Lamat Studios, his own recording studio which has since grown in fame among celebrated artists and the important recording labels of the moment. Thanks to his unique producing style, Juárez dominates the Regional Mexican genre while adding his distinct influences that come from other music styles and his experience as musician with a contemporary, academic background.

One of his major contributions to Regional Mexican music has been the new subgenre corridos progresivos, a mixture of corridos and progressive rock. Both respected musicians and industry players such as Ángel Del Villar and Jimmy Humilde have sought out Juárez as an in-demand producer.

In 2005, Juárez arrived in Los Angeles to begin learning music production and sound engineering while he was culminating his final tour throughout Europe, México, and United States as both an active musician and music director.  During his time as a touring guitarist, he obtained the support of important sponsors, including Gibson Guitars, becoming the first sponsored Latino by the legendary brand. Due to that sponsorship, the company began a Latin division dedicated towards guitar greats from Latin America. His other sponsors included Rocktron, GHS strings, and Marshall Amplification.

Juárez has produced and worked with Regulo Caro, Alfredo Olivas, Grupo Codiciado, Luis Coronel, El Dasa, Fidel Rueda, Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”, Chiquis Rivera, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz, El Potro de Sinaloa, Graciela Beltrán, Helen Ochoa, Patricia Manterola, Banda Machos, Myriam Montemayor, Beatriz Adriana, and other emerging and established artists.

Juárez has received two Latin Grammy nominations, both for Mejor Álbum de Música Banda (Best Banda Music Album). He received his first in 2018 with Luis Coronel and the other in 2019 with Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”. His soundtrack to the series El Vato (season two) won an Emmy Award, and the series itself went on to win an International Emmy in 2018. Fausto also produced the main soundtrack for the series El Hijo Del Desierto, which was performed by Mexican singer El Dasa.

“My plan is continue developing the new project until next year, and eventually I’ll go back to the recording studio to continue producing for other artists. In the meantime, I’m 100% focused on the music production and the artistic evolution of Legión Alterna.” – Fausto Juárez

Las Hermanas García perform ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ as Earth Day tribute

Las Hermanas García, ‘Pobre Tierra Mia.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Days before ‘International Earth Day’ (April 22), Las Hermanas García, two young singers from Guerrero’s Costa Chica, at just 19 and 20 years old, express with music and lyrics their concern for the destruction of the planet by singing a ‘Chilean’ song entitled ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ in traditional music from their region. The video for ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ was filmed in a dumpster near their village to highlight the destruction brought about by consumerism. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

For the new single to have an impact, they decided to record the video in an illegal dumpster, a place that symbolizes both ecological neglect and the uncontrolled use of plastics. These young women want  the current generation, of which they are both a part of, and future ones, to continue to enjoy the beauty of the coast. Las Hermanas García asked their father Mariano García, a poet and musician, to write both the lyrics and music of ‘Pobre Tierra Mia.’ 

Celia and Laura García, known as Las Hermanas García, are native to Ometepec Guerrero, Mexico, where there is almost no access to recording studios, stages, or music schools.  Despite this, the talented duo has been able to attract the attention of a worldwide audience with their interpretation of boleros and ‘Chileans,’ music native to Guerrero and Oaxaca. These artists have performed on prestigious stages in Mexico and Europe and have received millions of visits to their YouTube channel and other renowned music platforms.

Due to the popularity in their region of boleros with romantic lyrics, Laura and Celia began singing in public at an early age. The duo is reminiscent of the famous classics of the 40s, 50s, and 60s performed by popular artists such as Alvaro Carrillo and Indalecio  Ramírez. Las Hermanas García represent the Costa Chica and their success is bringing countless optimism to their region. Songs such as ‘Qué Sepan Todos’ and ‘Sabor A Mi’ both sung in ‘Amuzgo,’ their father’s native language, have received more than 6 million views on Spotify.


New album: On Solid Ground – Reggie Harris

On Solid Ground is available now. Photo: amazon

Reggie Harris is a teaching artist in the Kennedy Center’s CETA program (Changing Education Through the Arts) and a fellow for the prestigious Council of Independent College lecture program. He also serves as Co-President and Director of Music Education for the Living Legacy Project—an advocacy group that sponsors Civil Rights pilgrimages throughout the South and online education seminars worldwide. Reggie Harris counters injustice with love on his new album On Solid Ground, which is out now.  Harris’ incredibly unique perspective—that of a Black folk singer with roots in the Modern Civil Rights revolution and the great-great-great-grandson of a Confederate general and one of his slaves—brings a truth, a fire, and a positive outlook to each of the album’s thirteen songs. (IV-PR, 2021)

“Well it’s a plague on the nation / It’s all across the news / Splashed up in color for all the world to see.” Those are the opening lines Reggie Harris sings on his new album On Solid Ground. A veteran folk musician—recently the recipient of Folk Alliance International’s 2021 Spirit of Folk Award—Harris has sung songs like this his entire career, but the current political and social climate is drawing his personal voice out and into the conversation. “My story includes aspects of my journey as a Black male growing up in Philadelphia during the 50s and 60s; pushed into integrating schools and neighborhoods which forced me to learn to live between two worlds using music as a foil to become a bridge-builder.” On Solid Ground is just as much about healing and inspiration in the face of injustice and dissension. That first stanza closes with a perfect example of Harris’s honed duality: “Our leaders say they’re angry / The people are confused / So, I guess this just comes down to you and me.” In the end, it is all about how we collectively move forward. Longtime fans and curious readers can stream or purchase On Solid Ground—out now—at this link.

Of the thirteen songs on On Solid Ground, Harris wrote nine of them. From the driving, funky “Standing In Freedoms Name”—which tells the tale of Rev. C.T. Vivian’s iconic encounter with Sheriff Jim Clark in Selma, Alabama, in 1965—to album-closing tribute to his friend and mentor Pete Seeger, “High Over the Hudson,” Harris dances between genres without hesitation and rides the highs and lows of each song’s content with a confident wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of studying folk music. A beautiful cover of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” with Baltimore-based jazz pianist Eric Byrd is carefully placed in the album’s lineup, along with a version of John Prine’s “Hello In There” and an up-tempo recasting of Malvina Reynolds’ classic protest song, “It Isn’t Nice.” 

While writing for On Solid Ground, Harris was featured in 2020 on CNN’s Silence is Not An Option with Don Lemon and in The New York Times to discuss his familial connection as the descendant of slavery as a great-great-great-grandson of confederate General Williams Carter Wickham and his slave Bibhanna Hewlett with his White cousins. “I’ve been a 40-year pioneer as one of the few African-Americans in the folk music community and a Black educator touring around America,” he says. On Solid Ground continues to add to Harris’ legacy, but there is something about this album—at this moment—which feels remarkable; a perfect statement on the times and a peaceful guide to overcoming them. 

On Solid Ground Track list:

  1. It’s Who We Are
  2. My Working Bones
  3. Come What May
  4. Standing in Freedom’s Name
  5. All You Need Is Love
  6. On Solid Ground
  7. Maybe It’s Love
  8. Hello in There
  9. Rise Up/March On
  10. It Isn’t Nice
  11. Let’s Meet Up Early
  12. Tree of Life
  13. High Over the Hudson

Willie Nelson and Luck presents first annual cannabis convention

Luck Summit: Planting the Seed will benefit HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. Photo: google

Willie Nelson and Luck Presents are proud to announce the first annual cannabis convention, Luck Summit: Planting the Seed which benefits HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. Hosted by Nathanial Rateliff, the multi-day virtual summit seeks to destigmatize, educate, and promote cannabis culture in an informative and entertaining way. During the summit, Luck and fellow cannabis-advocate partners will showcase the cannabis plant through its many lenses including history, science, entertainment, and culture. In addition to panel discussions and keynote speakers, attendees will be treated to musical collaborations, comedy sketches, cooking demonstrations, health-focused activities, and more.  (IV-PR, 2021)

Team Luck is also pleased to announce a partnership with HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project, an organization that informs, registers and turns out voters who are interested in cannabis policy. “Willie Nelson is a music and cannabis icon, so of course we’re thrilled to partner,” says Sam D’Arcangelo, Director of HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. “Texas and the rest of the United States are sitting at a cannabis crossroads right now. There’s no better time to celebrate how far we’ve come and have a conversation about where cannabis legalization goes from here.” All ticket proceeds from the summit will be donated to the Voter Project to aid in their efforts. 

The summit will hold space for honest, stripped down dialogue between industry veterans, casual connoisseurs, activists, artists, and everyone in between. Have something to say or questions about the benefits and opportunities surrounding hemp and cannabis as a commodity, and as medicine? This summit is for you. The discussion docket includes civil discourse, building community, legalization through policy amendments, science, de-stigmatization, hemp and cannabis as commodity products and cash crops, taxation that aids the economy, decriminalization and pathways toward freeing non-violent offenders for cannabis convictions, de-stigmatizing cannabis in industries weary of engaging, cannabis history and prohibition, and so much more. The mission of the Luck Summit is to create a community discussion around destigmatizing, decriminalizing, and legalizing hemp and cannabis in the state of Texas and beyond. 

Planting the Seed is a donation-based ticketed summit raising money for HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. To register or for more information on the High Holidays, please visit them online. 

Planting the Seed is the marque event of Luck’s “High Holidays,” a 9 day celebration of the cannabis plant and its many benefits which begins on 4/20 and ends on Willie’s birthday, 4/29. Additionally, Luck Presents is petitioning the Biden Administration and Congress to make 4/20 to 4/29 the “High Holidays” in honor of the cannabis industry, and to celebrate Willie’s birthday. Sign the petition here.

Luck Presents is a rogue cultural collective headquartered in Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX. Anchored by its flagship event, the annual Luck Reunion, Luck Presents creates experiences that embrace our past while cultivating new traditions in American roots culture. 

HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project informs, registers, and turns out voters who want to see cannabis policy move forward. We believe cannabis reform is a unique issue with the power to turn large numbers of people into active participants in our democracy.

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?” – Willie Nelson

 

Caamp’s Taylor Meier unveils new independent label

Louisville’s Sam Filiatreau is first up on the roster with full-length release coming soon. Photo: google

Riding high on a wave of sold-out tours, hundreds of millions of streams, and chart-topping radio residencies, Caamp front man and songwriter Taylor Meier has never let his focus drift from bringing even more artists along for the ride. Enter Meier’s very own independent record label Gjenny Records; an outlet custom-tailored to do just that. “So much good stuff gets buried because people don’t have the right contacts or connections, so I started Gjenny Records just so I could put out people’s stuff and give them a shot at some daylight.” After all, a man of the people should be a man for the people, and Meier fits the bill. (IV-PR, 2021)

Gjenny Records is proud to announce their first signee, Sam Filiatreau, a rising songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky, who blends the lyricism of ‘70s vinyl with the acoustic feel of Appalachian folk music. Burned out by playing in a local rock band for seven or eight years, Filiatreau hopped on a Louisville house concert lineup on Valentine’s Day 2019 to play a few acoustic songs. He was just a friend of a friend who took an open slot between Meier and fellow Caamp member Matt Vinson, who were touring the Midwest together with solo side projects. A conversation after the show ultimately led to an invitation for Filiatreau to join them on a Caamp tour and eventually to making a solo album. 

A chance encounter at a house concert proved to be the turning point for Sam Filiatreau. His remarkable debut album arrives on Gjenny Records.  As a teenager who began writing songs almost as soon as he learned to play guitar, Filiatreau found his calling in the storytelling songs of John Prine and Randy Newman, then immersed himself in the festival scene to hone his craft. 

Asked about the instant connection, Filiatreau says, “We hit it off pretty well, but I think it was mostly the songs. Taylor always talks about it to me that I just started playing and he looked at Matt across the room, and he was like, ‘We’re going to do something with this.’ We hung out until 4 or 5 in the morning that night too. So, right off the bat, musically, we were into the same thing, and we both love folk music and solo performances. We just had a great time together.” A hangover-curing breakfast followed, securing the guys’ love for Sam and his songs, and a plan for how to get them both out into the world. Stay tuned for more news on Filiatreau’s debut album, due out later this year on Gjenny Records.

Tropical music star Emir Pabón releases Rigo Tovar tribute album

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ is a tribute album to Mexican pop culture cumbia icon Rigo Tovar. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Tropical music star Emir Pabón presents the tribute album ‘Rigo Puro Amor’ in honor of his godfather, the Mexican Cumbia icon Rigo Tovar. While recreating the greatest hits that made Rigo Tovar a legend, the percussionist, producer, and composer Emir Pabón remembers the impact that this idol had on Mexican culture while also recalling his personal connection to the artist as his godson. Pabón, who also serves as the percussionist for Grupo Cañaveral, is proud to now present ‘Rigo Puro Amor.’ (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

As a celebration of both the anniversary of Rigo Tovar’s birth (March 29) and his death (March 27), Pabón has reimagined Tovar’s greatest hits. This new tribute album, which also happens to be Pabón’s debut full length release, features collaborations with esteemed artists such as Mariana Seoane, Percance, Jorge Medina, Grupo Cañaveral, Los Rojos, Fátima Campo, and PeeWee. Listeners will be able to enjoy cumbia classics such as “La Múcura,” “Amor Sincero,” “¿Quién Será la Mujer?,” and “Quítate La Mascara.” Emir Pabón is known as an artist who likes to reinvent himself and be at the vanguard. Adapting different sounds is part of his artistic essence, which he continues to do with ‘Rigo Puro Amor.’

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ is now available on all digital formats.

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ – Track list
“Oh Qué Gusto De Volverte A Ver” ft. Jose Adán Esparza Y René Esparza
“El Sirenito” ft. Pedro Fernández
“Mi Matamoros Querido” ft. Lemongrass
“Cómo Será La Mujer” ft. Jorge Medina
“El Testamento” ft. PeeWee
“Quítate La Máscara” ft. Los Rojos
“No Que No”
“Carita De Angel”
“Mi Tinajita” ft. W Corona
“Perdóname, Mi Amor Por Ser Tan Guapo” ft. Chico Che Chico
“Cuando Tu Cariño”
“Amor Sincero” ft. Grupo Cañaveral
“Lamento De Amor” ft. Carolina Ross
“Dos Tardes De Mi Vida” ft. Sandoval
“Me Quiero Casar” ft. Fátima Campo
“Así Soy Yo” ft. Percance
“Mi Amiga, Mi Esposa, Mi Amante” ft. Claudio Alcaraz
“La Calandria Canta” ft. Jonaz
“La Múcura” ft. Mariana Seoane
“Carta De Recuerdo” ft. Buyuchek

Mexican by birth and Colombian at heart, Emir Pabón was born in Mexico City and began his musical career by attending his father’s concerts. He eventually joined his father’s legendary band Grupo Cañaveral as a percussionist and has served an integral role in the ensemble for the past 23 years. In addition to a percussionist, Pabón is also a producer, businessman, actor and composer.

Pabón began a new phase of his career in 2019, releasing several singles as a soloist including “Echa pa’lante,” which invites listeners to overcome their problems with a positive attitude, as well as “Swing,” a collaboration with the acclaimed reggaeton artists Nacho and Joey Montana. In 2020, Grupo Cañaveral celebrated their 25th anniversary and Emir finished up recording his debut solo album – a tribute to his godfather, the Mexican icon Rigo Tovar.

Emir Pabon. Courtesy photo, used with permission.