When Maximo Grado’s Christian Felix decided to make a duet album of the band’s greatest hits, Somos Leyenda, or We Are Legends, he knew there’d be a long line of música mexicana stars willing to hop on.
“We wanted to pay tribute to the group’s history, but also acknowledge how we’re your favorite Mexican group’s favorite Mexican group,” says Felix from his Guadalajara home. “That’s what they tell us, at least.”
Felix was right. He had no issue finding the likes of Grupo Firme and Carin Leon to Natanael Cano and Fuerza Régida to hop on 15 reimagined versions of Máximo Grado’s signature accordion-backed corridos that date back over a decade. Many of them credit the group with pioneering the genre’s takeover.
“When Christian invited me to be a part of this album, I said, ‘Why not?’” Eduin Caz of Grupo Firme tells Rolling Stone. “I’d do it with with my eyes closed.’”
Felix playfully dramatizes the takeover in the album’s bold, Jacques-Louis David-inspired artwork. In the center, a cartoon version of Felix holds a flag, surrounded by the 15 artists who joined him on the album. Natanael Cano‘s photoshopped arm raises a gun, while Carin León strikes a pose with a rifle. Together, the album seems to symbolize the triumph of Mexican music.
“The corrido space was starting to feel a bit monotonous and that’s when we started with our movement,” he says. “I think that helped spawn what’s brought us to today. It all makes me really happy.”
Máximo Grado led the album rollout with a new version of their 2014 song “Gallos y Caballos” with Cano, who’s consistently cited the band as an inspiration early in his career. The song hears the tumbados star step away from his moodier sound; instead, he lets his voice float over the accordion. “He’s such a hard-working youngster and has one-of-a-kind charisma,” says Felix of Cano. ”Nata had never dabbled in norteño and people loved it.”
Like with Nata, joining Máximo Grado on the album was a no-brainer: Tito Double P, who joins “El 08,” says he remembers visiting Mazatlán as a kid “knowing the words of every one of their corridones.” Erick Aragón called Maximo Grado Codiciado’s “greatest influence.” Edén Muñoz highlights the “great recognition and respect” the band has earned from everyone in the Mexican music industry. “This is one of the collaborations that has made me happiest,” he says.
For Felix, it’s an honor to receive recognition from his colleagues and he accepts the acknowledgment with open arms. The Grado impact, as seen by the artists featured on the record, has been fundamental across the spectrum of música mexicana.
Félix could speak for days about sharing chelas with JOP of Fuerza Régida’s family or getting a few laughs out of the “reserved” Junior H while recording their collaborations, but the story that moved Félix most was hearing from Carín León who recounted how he was able to survive by playing covers of Maximo Grado’s songs.
“You fed me for many years,” Felix remembers León telling him. “Your songs kept me afloat. Why wouldn’t I support you on this?”
“It’s beautiful to remember those dream-filled days, searching for an opportunity in the market,” León tells Rolling Stone. “And now to collaborate with people you’ve admired and who greatly influenced your musical development makes me reflect on where we are now.”
Felix sees the expansion of Mexican genres as a continuation of the evolution that his music, like that of the late Ariel Camacho, helped pioneer. However, some of the conversations about the music around its controversial lyrics about drug trafficking and the idolization of narcos have remained. “There are people have a morbid fascination around this topic,” he says candidly. “These are the stories of el pueblo and done with a lot of respect.”
On Somos Leyenda, Felix duets with Marca Registrada about El Chapo Guzman’s son on “Iván el Chapito” and he sings with Tito Double P about Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Javier Guerrero on “El 08.” Felix doesn’t mind being asked about the topic — he’s been fielding these questions for years. “Stopping narcocorridos is not the main solution to ending violence and drug trafficking issues that have affected the country for so long,” he continues. “Censoring free speech is never the solution to any problem.”
He does have his native Sinaloa in mind though, and finds it unfortunate that some of his collaborators, including Grupo Firme, have recently been forced to cancel shows at a Mazatlán festival over death threats. The cartel issues are deeper than just entertainment. “I’m from Culiacán and know what life is like there: People are so hardworking there and it’s such a critical situation to see so many people and businesses affected. It’s a scary situation,” he says.
Despite the issues striking his home state, Felix hopes his new album will serve as a celebration of the growth of Mexico’s music on a global stage overall. The sounds of the accordions and drums from their songs continue to soundtrack carne asadas and family parties today. But Felix is already thinking about the future. Somos Leyendas ends with “8,000 KM” featuring pop star Belinda, who recently forayed from bubblegum pop to heavier, corridos bélicos — the pop singer actually asked Máximo Grado if she could join the album.
“I know Belinda didn’t listen to our music growing up, but it worked out beautifully,” he says. “It’s important to step out of your comfort zone,” he says. “We have to refresh this and keep evolving this movement.”
