California-based norteno Mexican band
Los Tigres del Norte
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![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Los_Tigres_Del_Norte_1.jpg/220px-Los_Tigres_Del_Norte_1.jpg) |
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Origin
| San Jose
,
California
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Genres
| Pacific Norteno
,
Norteno with Sax
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Years active
| 1965
(
1965
)
?present
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Labels
| Discos Fama
Golondrina
EMI POPS
MGM Music
Profono Internacional
Poster
Melody
Musivisa
FonoVisa
Universal
Gamma
Gran Via Musical De Ediciones
Discos DLB
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Members
| Jorge Hernandez
1968?present
Hernan Hernandez 1968?present
Eduardo Hernandez 1988?present
Luis Hernandez 1996?present
Oscar Lara
1968?present
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|
Past members
| Freddy Hernandez (Deceased)
Raul Hernandez 1968?1995
Guadalupe Olivo 1968?1988, 1997?2001
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Website
| www
.lostigresdelnorte
.com
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Los Tigres del Norte
(English:
The Tigers of the North
) are a
norteno
band from
San Jose, California
.
[1]
Originally founded in the small town Rosa Morada in the municipality of
Mocorito
,
[1]
Sinaloa, Mexico
, with sales of 32 million albums,
[2]
the band is one of the most recognized acts in
regional Mexican music
, due to their long history and their successes within the Mexican community in the diaspora. The band is famous for its political
corridos
, some of which have been censored, even in its own country. The band is the only Mexican group to win 7
Grammy awards
and 12
Latin Grammys
. In addition, the band has made 40 films alongside the Almada brothers (
Mario
and Fernando) among other well-known Mexican actors.
The band's style is based on regional music of Mexico, using mainly instruments such as the electric bass (or double bass), accordion, bass, drums, and sometimes other percussion instruments. The lyrics in their songs fluctuate between the romantic and the corrido. In recent years the band has begun to make music in a new genre called
narcocorrido
, in which they narrate the experience of members of drug gangs operating in Mexico. The narcocorrido song "Muerte Anunciada", for example, stands out, as it is dedicated to the legendary Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar, "El Jefe de Jefes." In that song, the band tells the story of the power and influence of the now imprisoned
Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo
. Another of their famous narcocorridos, "The Queen of the South", is based on
a novel
by
Arturo Perez-Reverte
from which a television series was made based on the Spanish writer's work. They have become famous in Mexico and the United States, especially in California and Texas, mainly due to the large number of Mexicans living there. They also have found considerable fame in Colombia.
The band won a Grammy Award in 1988 for their album
Gracias, America sin Fronteras
, and twelve years later their album
Herencia de Familia
won the award for Best Norteno Album at the first ever Latin Grammys. A year later, in the second edition of the awards, they were nominated again for Best Norteno Album, this time for
De Paisano a Paisano
, and Best Regional Mexican Song for the song of the same title from that album.
History
[
edit
]
Jorge Hernandez performing in August 2008
The band was started by
Rosa Morada
[
es
]
,
Mocorito
,
Sinaloa
,
Mexico
natives Jorge Hernandez, his brothers, and their cousins. They began recording after moving to
San Jose, California
in the late 1960s, when all the members were still in their teens.
[3]
They were sponsored by a local record company, Discos Fama, owned by an Englishman named Art Walker, who took them under his wing and helped them find jobs and material, as well as recording all of their early albums.
[3]
Los Tigres del norte were at first only locally popular, but took off after Jorge and Art Walker heard a Los Angeles mariachi singer perform a song in early 1971 about a couple of drug runners, Emilio Varela and Camelia la Texana. There had been occasional ballads (
corridos
, in Mexican terminology) about the cross-border drug trade ever since
Prohibition
in the 1920s, but never a song as cinematic as this, featuring a woman smuggler who shoots the man and takes off with the money. After getting permission to record this song, Los Tigres del Norte released "
Contrabando y traicion
" ("Contraband and Betrayal") in 1974.
[4]
The song quickly hit on both sides of the border, inspired a series of movies, and kicked off one of the most remarkable careers in Spanish-language music.
In norteno form, Los Tigres del Norte have been able to portray "real life" in a manner that strikes a chord with people across the
Americas
. Many of their most popular songs consist of tales or corridos about life, love, and the struggle to survive in an imperfect world. They regularly touch on the subject of
narcotics
and
illegal immigration
, but they have also shared stories of love and betrayal between a man and a woman. Together, the band and its public has turned norteno music into an international genre. The band has modernized the music, infusing it with
bolero
,
cumbia
, rock rhythms, and
waltzes
. They also prominently incorporate a
saxophone
into some of their songs. As a result, it can be said that they also perform
norteno with sax
in addition to traditional accordion-led norteno.
[
citation needed
]
Tania Libertad
with Los Tigres del Norte on May 17, 2007
On January 9, 2007, Los Tigres del Norte was honored as a
BMI
Icon at the 14th annual BMI Latin Awards. Los Tigres, who were saluted that evening with an all-star musical tribute, were being honored as BMI Icons for their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." They joined an elite list that includes such Latin music giants as
Juan Luis Guerra
and
Carlos Santana
.
[5]
On October 16, 2009, Los Tigres del Norte held a Concert in
Guadalupe
,
Nuevo Leon
(outside of
Monterrey
) at the Annual Expo Guadalupe that lasted 12 hours, breaking their own record of 9 hours from previous year. It began on Saturday night and ended on Sunday at 9 a.m., not uncommon for Los Tigres del Norte. They are known for having encores at their concerts that can last more than an hour after the scheduled ending of the concert.
[
citation needed
]
They have performed before the
United States Armed Forces
in Japan and South Korea.
[6]
Tigres del Norte in Bogota 2019
In 2010, the band made headlines by joining in a massive international
boycott
of the U.S. state of
Arizona
, in response to the
Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act
.
[7]
On October 8, 2013, Los Tigres del Norte played at an immigration reform rally on the
National Mall
in
Washington, D.C.
Their set list included songs that underscored the themes the rally would address including “La Puerta Negra” (1986), “De Paisano a Paisano” (2000), and “Mis Dos Patrias.” The band was introduced by then Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi
(D-Calif.). Mexican-American singer-songwriter and actress
Lila Downs
also accompanied the group in a series of duets.
[8]
In 2014 Los Tigres del Norte released the album
Realidades
, which contains the song “Era Diferente” (meaning “She Was Different”) about a lesbian teenager who falls in love with her best friend; according to lead singer and songwriter Jorge Hernandez, this is the first time a norteno group has ever written a gay love song.
[9]
[10]
The band had sold 32 million records as of 2007.
[11]
As of 2015, they had won 7
Grammy Awards
, 6
Latin Grammy Awards
, and a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
[12]
[10]
They received the Special Recognition (Spanish language) Award at the 26th annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2015, for their song "Era Diferente" ("She Was Different").
[13]
The band ranked number 15 in the list for "The 30 Most Influential Latin Artists of All Time" by
Billboard
magazine.
[14]
In 2018, many artists sought permission to record at
Folsom Prison
, more so for the 50th anniversary of
Johnny Cash
's recording there. However, Los Tigres del Norte was the only act authorized by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In fact, Los Tigres are the only band to record an album at Folsom since Johnny Cash released his 1968 opus.
[15]
All group members are naturalized American citizens.
[16]
The group's lyrics have been cited as examples of leftist sentiment in popular music.
[17]
Philanthropy
[
edit
]
In May 2000, Los Tigres del Norte founded the Los Tigres del Norte Foundation, which is committed to fostering appreciation and preservation of Mexican and
Mexican-American folklore
. The Los Tigres del Norte Foundation donated $500,000 to the
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
, which was used to digitize over 32,000 Spanish-language recordings contained in the Strachwitz Frontera Collection.
[18]
Members
[
edit
]
- Jorge Hernandez ? director, lead vocals,
accordion
- Hernan Hernandez ? bass, vocals
- Eduardo Hernandez ? accordion,
alto saxophone
,
bajo sexto
, vocals
- Luis Hernandez ? bajo sexto, vocals
- Oscar Lara ? drummer
Former members
[
edit
]
- Raul Hernandez ? bajo sexto, vocals (left the group in 1996 to become a soloist)
- Lupe Olivo - saxophone, accordion (left the band in 1988 due to health problems, rejoined in 1996, and left again in 2001. He has since performed in Raul Hernandez' band)
- Freddy Hernandez - percussion (died from a heart attack in a hotel how room in 1993)
[19]
Select discography
[
edit
]
Albums
[
edit
]
- 1968:
Juana La Traicionera/Por El Amor A Mis Hijo
- 1971:
Cuquita
(remastered by Fonovisa in 2001)
- 1972:
El Cheque
(remastered by Fonovisa in 2001)
- 1974:
Contrabando Y Traicion
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1975:
La Banda Del Carro Rojo
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1976:
Pueblo Querido
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1977:
Vivan Los Mojados
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1978:
Numero Ocho
(remastered by Fonovisa in 2001)
- 1979:
El Tahur
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1980:
Plaza Garibaldi
(remastered by Fonovisa in 2001)
- 1981:
...Un Dia A La Vez!
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1982:
Exitos Para Siempre...
(rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1983:
Carrera Contra La Muerte
(last album under Fama label) (rerecorded at Profono in 1984)
- 1983:
Internacionalmente Nortenos/La Tumba Del Mojado
(first album under Profono label [now Fonovisa])
- 1984:
Jaula De Oro
- 1985:
A Ti Madrecita
(reissued in 2015 with 4 new songs)
- 1986:
El otro Mexico
(reissued in 1994)
- 1986:
Gracias!... America... Sin Fronteras
(reissued in 1989)
- 1988:
Idolos Del Pueblo
(last album with Lupe Olivo)
- 1989:
Corridos Prohibidos
(first album with Eduardo Hernandez)
- 1989:
Triunfo Solido ? Mi Buena Suerte
- 1990:
Para Adoloridos
- 1991:
Incansables!
- 1992:
Con Sentimiento Y Sabor (Tan Bonita)
- 1992:
Una Noche Con Los Tigres Del Norte
- 1993:
La Garra De...
- 1994:
Los Dos Plebes
- 1995:
El Ejemplo
(last album with Raul Hernandez before becoming soloist)
- 1996:
Unidos Para Siempre
(first album with Luis Hernandez & Guadalupe Olivo returning to the group)
- 1997:
Jefe De Jefes
- 1998:
Asi Como Tu
- 1999:
Herencia De Familia
- 2000:
De Paisano A Paisano
(last album with Lupe Olivo)
- 2001:
Uniendo Fronteras
- 2002:
La Reina Del Sur
- 2004:
Pacto De Sangre
- 2005:
Directo Al Corazon
- 2006:
Historias Que Contar
- 2007:
Detalles Y Emociones
- 2008:
Raices
- 2008:
Tu Noche Con Los Tigres Del Norte
- 2009:
La Granja
- 2010:
El Rugido De Los Tigres Del Norte
- 2011:
MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres Del Norte And Friends
- 2014:
Realidades
- 2015:
Desde El Azteca
- 2016:
Ataud
- 2019:
Los Tigres del Norte At Folsom Prison
- 2020:
Y Su Palabra Es La Ley: Homenaje a
Vicente Fernandez
- 2022:
La Reunion Deluxe
- 1984:
Los Tigres Del Norte
- 2021:
La Reunion
- 2024:
Aqui Mando Yo
Singles
[
edit
]
Los Tigres del Norte
[
edit
]
- "Por Amor A Mis Hijos"
- "De Un Rancho A Otro"
- "El Cheque"
- "El Ausente"
- "Mi Gran Carino"
- "Sufro Porque Te Quiero"
- "
Polka Texas
"
- "
Las Tres Mujeres
"
- "
Los Sufrimientos
"
- "El Sordo Mudo" (side 2 track)
- "La Cochicuina"
- "Ya Cambiara Mi Destino"
- "Las Tres Mujeres"
- "Mi Caballo Ensillado"
- "Morena De San Francisco"
- "Hermosa Luna"
- "Rio Magadalena"
- "El Que Tanto Te Amo"
- "Quien Te Viera"
- "Adolfo Mi Compadre" (1984)
- "La Puerta Negra/Poppurri Mexicano" (1986)
- "Rap Norteno" (single-only release)
- "Un Cuento De Navidad"
- "La Mesa del Rincon/La Navidad De Los Pobres" (1995)
- "Duro"
- "Mujeriego" (feat.
Don Francisco
)
- "Por Amor"
- "Aguas Revueltas"
- "El Enfermito"
- "La Bala" (2014)
- "Tu Carcel" (feat.
Marco Antonio Solis
)
- "Ataud" (2016)
- "Cuando Seas Grande" (feat.
Alejandro Sanz
,
Gloria Trevi
, and
J Balvin
)
- "Para Sacarte De Mi Vida" (feat. Alejandro Fernandez)
Guest appearances
[
edit
]
- Hermanitas Rodarte - "Dile Pajarillo"
- Hermanitas Rodarte - "Me Voy De Estas Tierras"
- Lupita Alatorre - "No Es Culpa Mia"
Filmography
[
edit
]
Through their career, Los Tigres del Norte have appeared in numerous Mexican films, many of which are based on some of their hit songs. In genre, they range from action to drama. Many of the actors in these films include
Mario and Fernando Almada
,
Eric Del Castillo
, Pedro Infante, Jr., Jorge Reynoso,
Lucha Villa
, Cecilia Camacho, and Bernabe Melendez "El Gatillero".
In December 2016, media reports stated that Amateur Films would be producing
Jefes De Jefes
, a feature-length documentary about Los Tigres del Norte's history and cultural influence; no release date was announced.
Awards and nominations
[
edit
]
Grammy Awards
[
edit
]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
Los Tigres del Norte - About
- ^
Wiltz, Teresa (February 18, 2007).
"Fierce Enough to Bite"
.
Washington Post
. Retrieved
June 17,
2020
.
- ^
a
b
Wilkinson, Alec (May 17, 2010).
"Alec Wilkinson, "Immigration Blues," The New Yorker magazine, May 24, 2010"
. Newyorker.com
. Retrieved
May 14,
2012
.
- ^
"Musica"
.
www.univision.com
.
- ^
"Los Tigres del Norte To Be Honored as BMI Icons at 14th Annual Latin Awards"
. bmi.com. January 9, 2007
. Retrieved
October 11,
2010
.
- ^
"Vision Hispana"
. Visionhispanausa.com. April 15, 2010
. Retrieved
May 14,
2012
.
- ^
El Correo de Guanajuato: "Tigres del Norte, participan en boicot contra Arizona"
Archived
July 22, 2011, at the
Wayback Machine
(in Spanish)
- ^
Montgomery, David (2013). "Los Tigres provide soundtrack for immigrants' lives."
The Washington Post.
Retrieved on April 27, 2014.
- ^
"Realidades - Los Tigres del Norte | Releases"
. AllMusic. October 7, 2014
. Retrieved
March 25,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
Yezmin Villarreal (March 21, 2015).
"Los Tigres del Norte Are Making Gay Norteno History"
. Advocate.com
. Retrieved
March 25,
2015
.
- ^
article
in
Washington Post
, February 18, 2007
- ^
"Grammy Winner search"
.
grammy.com
. April 30, 2017.
- ^
"Norteno Kings Los Tigres del Norte on Being Honored for Gay Love Song 'Era Diferente': 'This Brings Us Great Pride'
"
.
Billboard
. March 21, 2015
. Retrieved
March 25,
2015
.
- ^
"The 30 Most Influential Latin Artists of All Time"
.
Billboard
. April 28, 2015
. Retrieved
July 10,
2015
.
- ^
Exposito, Suzy (August 9, 2019).
"See Los Tigres del Norte Perform at Folsom Prison in New Documentary"
.
Rolling Stone
. Retrieved
April 3,
2020
.
- ^
Rohter, Larry (June 27, 2014).
"Los Tigres del Norte Breaks Boundaries"
.
The New York Times
.
- ^
[1]
18 July 2017
- ^
"Los Tigres Del Norte"
.
www.lostigresdelnorte.com
.
- ^
"Freddy Hernandez"
. April 20, 1993.
External links
[
edit
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Studio albums
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Live albums
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