Latinx Files: Fuerza Regida is just like us, kind of - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Latinx Files: Fuerza Regida is just like us, kind of

Fuerza Regidas hosted a listening party.
(Diana Ramirez/De Los; Photos by Rancho Humilde, Armando García)
Share via

There’s fashionably late, and then there’s Fuerza Regida late.

Last Thursday, the popular Mexican regional act hosted a last minute listening party for their latest album, “Pa las Baby’s Y Belikeada,” released that same night on the streaming platforms. The group had rented out the Fiesta Mexicana Banquet Hall in San Bernardino for the event, scheduled from 4 p.m. until midnight.

Jesús Ortiz Paz, the band’s leader, better known as JOP, showed up closer to 9 p.m.

Earlier that evening, JOP posted on his Instagram stories that he was performing a short set atop a carniceria in Lennox, about 75 miles away, and instructed his millions of followers to roll up. Hundreds of them did.

After that set, JOP and his entourage hopped on a private jet at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport and made the short trip to the next county over. All of this, of course, was chronicled on social media.

When the guest of honor finally arrived, he pulled into the venue in a blue Lamborghini SUV. After a quick run through the press at the red carpet, JOP headed inside and the desmadre began.

Advertisement
Man sings into a microphone
Fuerza Regida
(Rancho Humilde / Street Mob)

It didn’t take long for the Fuerza Regida frontman to jump on the banquet hall’s small stage and perform snippets from “Pa las Baby’s Y Belikeada,” a 30-track album of corridos tumbados and a few genre-bending songs. The LP includes collaborations with EDM DJ Marshmello and Argentine pop singer Maria Becerra. “Pa las Baby’s Y Belikeada” even features JOP rapping on ”Daf—,” the most obvious example of hip hop’s influence and impact on the new wave of Mexican regional acts.

As the evening progressed, the listening party became less an industry event and more like a well-catered family gathering. In other words, precisely the type of joyful communal chaos that Fuerza Regida’s music is meant to accompany.

Advertisement

While munching on my umpteenth serving of aguachile, it dawned on me that what I was witnessing explained part of Fuerza Regida’s charm.

Here was the frontman for one of the hottest acts on the globe — someone who has acquired wealth and fame and collaborated with Shakira — hosting a new hit album release in a venue more accustomed to hosting weddings and quinceañeras.

Fuerza Regida embodies the idea that if you work hard enough, you can achieve your version of the American Dream. This mindset is the subject matter for many of their songs (much of their music is either about the hustle, or the rewards that come from all that hard work). They’re not all talk, either. In the last 12 months, the band has released three albums and has gone on tour across the country.

Advertisement

This party could have been thrown at some swanky club in Hollywood. But it wasn’t. Instead, it took place next to a Mexican grocery store in the Inland Empire. There’s something oddly endearing about that.

Despite his success, JOP celebrates his wins just like we do. The only difference is that Santa Fe Klan and Jenny69 don’t show up to our parties, nor do we jump on a private plane to get to them.

Consider subscribing to the Los Angeles Times

Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Become a subscriber.

Latinx Files
(Jackie Rivera / For The Times; Martina Ibáñez-Baldor / Los Angeles Times)

Things we read this week that we think you should read

Fuerza Regida’s BMO Stadium show was a night of a thousand ‘pedas.’ Sky-high heels, gold chains and shots of tequila were just some of the things we saw at the Fuerza Regida concert.

The meanings behind the items on the Día de Muertos ofrenda. Ofrendas used to celebrate Día de los Muertos are made with items that have special meanings with origins dating back to Indigenous people.

Advertisement

In Bad Bunny’s ‘SNL’ episode, Marcello Hernández shines. Bad Bunny hosted “Saturday Night Live,” with cameos from Mick Jagger, Pedro Pascal, Lady Gaga and Fred Armisen. The star-studded episode also prominently featured cast member Marcello Hernández.

The official De Los ‘espooky season’ playlist. Looking for a playlist for the ‘espooky’ season? De Los head bruja (and cultural columnist) Suzy Exposito has you covered with 15 spanking new songs and haunting hits by Latinx artists.

Cindy Montañez, pioneering political and environmental leader, dies at 49. After serving in the California Assembly, Montañez used her connections and iron will to bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the San Fernando Valley and other underserved communities to clean up polluted areas and beautify neighborhoods.

A guava mole for Día de Muertos to honor your departed loved ones. This vibrant fruit mole is made with guava, plantains and chiles, inspired by the tropical paradise of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Six unique tacos that could only exist in Los Angeles. From banh xeo tacos to Hainan chicken and falafel fillings, Angelenos will turn anything into a taco.

Advertisement