Blogamole › Los Tigres Del Norte

By Michael Lopez

Could you imagine lumping R&B, hip-hop, and rock into one category at the Grammy Awards? Hardly. But in the Norteño world, a similar occurrence is happening with styles like Tejano and Regional getting shoved into just one genre.

That obviously isn't sitting well with Mexican music fans and quite a few are ready to do something about it. According to Regional Mex, several pro-Latino initiative groups will be protesting outside of L.A.'s Staples Center during Sunday's ceremony.

They are especially furious because the Grammy categories used to include more regional styles and just recently changed their policy. Now popular artists like Espinoza Paz and Jenni Rivera will only be eligible in two categories instead of four.

On a positive note, some of our Tr3s faves will still be in the running this year. Joan Sebastian is up for Best Tejano Album for his Huevos Rancheros record and Los Tigres del Norte are going for Best Norteño Album for their recording from the MTV Unplugged Special.

Do you think there should be more regional categories at the Grammys? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Award Shows, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Grammy Awards, Grammys, Joan Sebastian, Los Tigres Del Norte, Música, Protests, Regional Music

By Michael Lopez

Something tells us there will be a lot of Doo Wops & Hooligans coming out of the L.A. Convention Center next February. The debut record by Bruno Mars received an impressive amount of Grammy nominations Wednesday night, including a nod for Album of the Year.

In total, Bruno nabbed six nominations, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year (for "Grenade"), and Best Pop Solo Performance. His numbers were only topped by Kanye West, who scored seven nods for tracks like "All Of The Lights" and "Otis" from Watch The Throne.

British crooner Adele didn't do too shabby either. He 21 album got a ton of Grammy love, as did her signature song "Rolling In The Deep." Other recognizable contenders include Katy Perry, Rihanna, and The Foo Fighters.

Lady Gaga's Born This Way is up for Album of the Year too, which we're actually doubly excited about. Not just for the Little Monster, but for our Tr3s Coolturista Fernando Garibay, who's been recognized as a producer.

And though the Latin Grammys have come and gone, there are still Tropical categories that'll get their due during the big show. Los Tigres del Norte scored a nomination in the Best Banda category and Tr3s fave Gustavo Galindo scored a nod in the Best Latin Album category (though he’ll be going up against Maná and Calle 13!).

CBS put on an entire televised concert to celebrate the nominations, which featured performances by the likes of Usher and Rihanna. There was even an interesting Gaga/Sugarland duet, which could be an exciting taste of things to come. Mars, who was at the concert, seemed thrilled by the end of the night and even made up a tweet word to express his excitement.

"I've been trynna think of something clever to say.. But the only thing that comes to my mind is... FRIKIKIKIKI!! We Did It! #Hooligans" he posted.

We're definitely looking forward to some fun "FRIKIKIKIKI" performances from Bruno, Adele, and Big Bad Kanye when the 2012 Grammy Awards go down on February 10!

Who are you rooting for at this year’s Grammys? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Adele, Award Shows, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bruno Mars, Doo Wops & Hooligans, Fernando Garibay, Grammy Awards, Grammy Nominations, Grammys, Gustavo Galindo, Hot Stuff, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Los Tigres Del Norte, Música, Watch the Throne

By Michael Lopez

Here we are, just hours away from the 12th annual Latin Grammy awards. And seeing how the event is taking place in the gambling capital of the world (aka Las Vegas), we thought it would be fun to place some bets on which artists we're hoping will take home statuettes.

Now, of course, we love all of this year's honorees. But as we peruse the nomination lists, there are definitely a few Tr3s faves that stand out.

Let's start with Shakira. Now it's already confirmed that she'll be getting this year's Person of the Year award and she already has seven Latin Grammys sitting at home. So perhaps the Academy may decide the spread the love and not give her Album of the Year.

Instead, we're actually rooting for the underdogs Alex, Jorge y Lena. We've loved this trio right from the start and were thrilled when they made the cut in the Album category. Granted, they're up against Calle 13, Enrique, Shaki, and Franco De Vita, but they've got just enough momentum to nab the win.

Moving on to Record of the Year, our vote is going for Los Tigres del Norte. Their "Golpes en el Corazon" track is gorgeous (and happens to feature Paulina Rubio on guest vocals). It was also the highlight of their recent Unplugged special, which got a huge response when it aired on Tr3s. Can you tell we're a little biased?

In the Best New Artist category, we're rooting for Sie7e. His "Tengo Tu Love" was the laid-back Latin anthem of the summer and it's clear he's truly connected with the viral universe. Sie7e's gotten millions of YouTube hits, showcased an endless array of talent, and genuinely seems like a nice guy. Let's hope he takes this one down.

As far as the Best Urban Music Album goes, our money's with Calle 13. It's clear the Latin Grammy voters love them (ten nominations this year!) and this is definitely their category. Plus, how awesome and original was their Entren Los Que Quieran record? Truly a gem and a deserving winner.

For Best Rock Album we're going with the underdogs again. Sure Maná is the easy choice (their Drama y Luz record was a massive hit), but Don Tetto feels like they've worked harder to earn this prize. Their Miénteme album is fresh, original, and sounded great live when we saw them at the House of Blues!

In the Alternative category, we're playing favorites again. Zoé did an incredible job with their MTV Unplugged special and it's clear they're overflowing with talent. Plus, they've been around for over two decades and more than deserve some Latin Grammy gold at this point.

Now there are zillions of more categories to make predictions for, but those are the ones we feel the most confident about. Keep in mind, we may be totally off (so DON'T bet your hard earned money on our predictions), but it sure is fun to speculate.

And stay tuned for our complete Latin Grammy coverage tomorrow morning!

Who are you rooting for at the Latin Grammys? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Alex Jorge Y Lena, Award Shows, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Calle 13, Don Tetto, Hot Stuff, Latin Grammys, Los Tigres Del Norte, Mana, Música, Paulina Rubio, popnews, Shakira, Sie7e, Zoe

By Michael Lopez

Heard of Charity Buzz yet? If not, it is definitely something that should be on your radar. The nonprofit site regularly sells dozens of celebrity items, with proceeds going to specified charities. And one of the hottest items on the auction block right now is a six-piece drum set used by Los Tigres del Norte for their recent Unplugged performance.

Anyone who saw the kit on Tigres Unplugged knows it got quite a bit of use from drummer Oscar Lara. It was wailed on for classic songs like "La Manzanita," "La Puerta Negra," and "Golpes en El Corazón" with Paulina Rubio.

Now the set has the chance to enter your living room (or garage), if you can bid the right price. And keep in mind, all of the dollars you spend would go to a very good cause. Los Tigres are donating the proceeds to the Ashoka Foundation, which helps young people around the world initiate social change in their communities.

Helping kids and rocking out on a six-piece drum set? If you ask us, bidding on this musical gem is a no brainer. Plus, you'll get the cool Los Tigres logo on the side of the kickdrum! Click here to find out more about the auction.

Which celebrity item would you most like to see on Charity Buzz? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Ashoka Foundation, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Charity Buzz, Los Tigres Del Norte, Música, MTV Unplugged

By Michael Lopez

It seems strange to associate legendary banda act Los Tigres del Norte with an over-the-top novela, but that’s exactly what the media is doing. And, by the looks of things, the group couldn’t be happier about it. Based on a 2002 Los Tigres song of the same name, La Reina del Sur is now a huge hit for Telemundo and even inspired the band to re-issue the album that featured their classic track.

Telemundo’s La Reina del Sur is currently seen by nearly 3 million viewers and stars Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. As female drug lord Teresa Mendoza, her weekly escapades include gun running, double-crosses, and hot guy lovers who always seem to meet an unfortunate end.

Interestingly, the entire La Reina plot is based on a novel by Arturo Pérez Reverte, which in turn was inspired by the Los Tigres song. One of their most popular tracks ever, the “La Reina” song lyrics tell a similar story about Teresa, the notorious lady outlaw.

The 2002 Los Tigres album that featured the single went on to win a Grammy for Best Mexican Album and was embraced by fans from around the world. Now the group is reissuing the original La Reina record with new artwork and digitally remastered tracks. Set to arrive on April 5, we imagine it will work as a great soundtrack to weekly drama that Kate’s serving up on Telemundo.

Are you a fan of La Reina del Sur? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Arturo Pérez Reverte, Kate Del Castillo, La Reina Del Sur, Los Tigres Del Norte, Música, Novelas, Telemundo

By Catalina Walsh

Los Tigres del Norte stopped by the Palladium in Hollywood on Tuesday, Feb. 8, for a special taping of MTV Unplugged: Tigres del Norte and Friends.

The Grammy Award-winning Mexican ensemble, formed in the late 1960s, gave fans a dose of the musical prowess that's kept them at the forefront of Latin music throughout the decades. Fans from different generations sang along to a rendition of "La Puerta Negra" and danced to such popular songs as "La Manzanita" against an atmospheric backdrop accented with chandeliers and lighting that flashed in various combinations of red, blue, violet and green.

A number of guest performers joined in too, adding their own flair to some of the band's classic hits. Diego Torres sat in for a performance of "Mi Buena Suerte," Calle 13 for "América," and Zack de la Rocha for "Somos Mas Americanos." Pop singer Paulina Rubio had fans making heart shapes with their hands while she performed "Golpes en el Corazón" with the band and Andrés Calamaro started his rendition of "La Mesa del Rincón" with a little bit of tango. But the crowd really lost it when the band introduced Juanes as "a great friend ... who is loved throughout the world" before a heartfelt performance of  "La Jaula de Oro," a song about immigrants who must give up their own countries for the dream of a better life in America.

MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres del Norte and Friends will debut on Tr3s. Stay tuned for updates and air dates.

What's your favorite Los Tigres del Norte song? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Andres Calamaro, Calle 13, Diego Torres, Hot Stuff, Juanes, Los Tigres Del Norte, Música, MTV Unplugged, MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres Del Norte and Friends, Paulina Rubio, Zack de la Rocha

By Michael Lopez

If you’ve got Friends like Juanes, Calle 13 and Zack de la Rocha, you must be doing something right. But these three superstars aren’t just buddies of Los Tigres del Norte, they’re hardcore fans. Now they’re all set to take the stage for a Los Tigres del Norte and Friends Unplugged special.

With a slew of Grammy Awards and 50 No. 1 singles to their credit, the Norteños have been entertaining millions for more than 40 years. Their bumping bass lines, gorgeous accordions and four-part harmonies have influenced not just the regional Mexican music scene, but also cumbia, pop, rock and even rap (as Rage Against the Machine's de la Rocha would attest). Billboard magazine called them “the most influential regional Mexican band — widely viewed as the voice of the people.”

With all of this acclaim and a 42-year run as a group, Los Tigres are overdue for an Unplugged special. Imagine Juanes sitting in on an acoustic version of “La Puerta Negra” or Calle 13's Residente or Rage's Zack de la Rocha rapping over “Perdonen Mi Canto” in an intimate live setting.

As Juanes put it, “Los Tigres are the rock of the culture. It’s an honor to join them for this Unplugged. I love their music, attitude and career.”

Los Tigres (humble as ever) added their own thoughts about the upcoming special, “We are looking forward to the opportunity to revisit many special moments in our career, while also creating new interpretations with a wide array of special guests.”

The special is set to tape in early 2011 and will be broadcast shortly thereafter on MTV, MTV Tr3s, MTV Spain and VH1 Latin America. Check Blogamole for updates and air times.

What Los Tigres song would you most like to hear Unplugged? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Calle 13, Hot Stuff, Juanes, Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Tigres Del Norte And Friends Unplugged, Música, Tr3s shows, Unplugged, Zack de la Rocha

By Erika Ramirez

It's good to see that Los Tigres Del Norte's humanitarianism runs in the family. Mexican American artist Mexia, the eldest son of Hernan Hernandez, has written and recorded "Todos Somos Arizona" in response to Arizona’s immigration law SB 1070.

Mexia commented on "Todos Somos Arizona," which is the first track on his debut album, Past Present and Future (out Fall 2010):

“I feel outrage and an obligation to continue my father’s legacy about speaking for Mexicans and poor people.”

Read more...

Tags Immigration, Los Tigres Del Norte, Mexia, SB 1070, Todos Somos Arizona

By Sugey Palomares

We previously reported that Pitbull protested SB 1070 by canceling his "Mr Worldwide´s Carnaval Tour" stop in Phoenix, Arizona, but now Mr. 305 is adding more fire to the cause by joining musician Zack de la Rocha's "The Sound Strike" campaign.

The creative boycott urges the world's musical movers and shakers to stand up and fight against the Arizona law. Here is campaign's mission statement:

"When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, they arrested her. As a result, people got together and said we are not going to ride the bus until they change the law. It was this courageous action that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. What if we got together, signed a collective letter saying, "we're not going to ride the bus", saying we are not going to comply. We are not going to play in Arizona. We are going to boycott Arizona!"

The "Rebelution" star has joined the collective fight along with other musicians including, Juanes, Calle 13, Cafe Tacvba, Los Tigres del Norte, and Kanye West.

Since the campaign launched, celebs have been voicing their support in the Twitter-sphere. Calle 13 urged Jon Leguizamo to join the strike:

"Boycott arizona yo. Hope lakers beat suns to a pulp. No buying anything, no performin, nothing"

Claro, Pitbull also wants to increase the number of celeb protesters:

"Artists Boycott of Arizona, A call to artists and fans of music to stop SB 1070!!"

Do you think "The Sound Strike" can make a difference? Have you joined the fight? Make your voice heard below or @MTV3!

Tags Arizona Law, Calle 13, Chisme, Immigration, Juanes, Kanye West, Latin Music, Los Tigres Del Norte, Musica Latina, Pitbull, Politics, SB 1070

Los Tigres Del Norte were all set to perform their #1 regional Mexican hit "La Granja" at this year's Lunas del Auditorio award show in Mexico. But they were asked not to play that particular song, with lyrics citing controversial innuendos about politicians que se hacen ricos on the backs of the poor, and the impact of drug trafficking. Y que hicieron Los Tigres when they received the request to skip this song? Well, they pulled out of the award show altogether!

The guys are taking a stand against the censorship of "La Granja" which apparently began among some radio stations in their native Mexico. The music video accompanying the song is a combination of live action and animation, where the characters are depicted as animals on a farm. The pigs represent the wealthy politicians, the vicious dog represents drug trafficking, the fox represents el Presidente Vicente Fox ...you get the idea.

Parece que Los Tigres are giving Residente Calle 13 some real competition in the "offending governments" department! Watch the video for "La Granja" here, and weigh in below to let us know what you think.

Photo via Getty Images.

Tags 2009 Lunas del Auditorio, La Granja, Los Tigres Del Norte