In an industry where overnight fame is often confused for staying power, Fuerza Regida stands as a testament to the long game — a group whose journey from watching talent shows on television to performing at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden is more than just a tale of hard work. It’s also one of manifestation, cultural pride, and the unstoppable evolution of regional Mexican music on a global scale.
Led by frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz, affectionately known as JOP, Fuerza Regida is not your average success story. Their rise is equal parts grassroots hustle and head-in-the-clouds ambition — the kind of ambition that many might dismiss as delusional, but that’s exactly what made it powerful.
Long before the platinum records and sold-out tours, there was just a boy and a television. Sitting with his parents in their home in San Bernardino, California, JOP remembers watching “Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento,” the Spanish-language version of “America’s Got Talent,” and declaring with certainty, “I’m going to be on that TV. I’m going to be right there.”
His parents responded the way many parents would — with love, but also skepticism. “Ah, you’re crazy,” he recalls them saying.
But as it turns out, crazy dreams sometimes manifest into reality. Fast forward to 2025, and Fuerza Regida is not just appearing on TV — they’re rewriting what it means to be a regional Mexican band in the modern music industry. This summer, they hit two of the most prestigious stages in the world: New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 20 and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl on June 21. Not as guests. Not as openers. As headliners.
Fuerza Regida — composed of JOP, Samuel Jáimez, Khrystian Ramos, José “Pelón” García, and Moisés López — has always had their finger on the pulse of both tradition and innovation. Their music is rooted in corridos, a genre steeped in Mexican storytelling, but their attitude is purely Gen Z rebellion: bold, experimental, and unapologetic.
So, when they announced they’d be performing their latest album, 111XPANTIA, in full during these milestone concerts, fans knew something big was coming. The 12-track album, which blends traditional corrido sounds with contemporary production, isn’t just a record — it’s a mission statement. A declaration that regional Mexican music has a place in the most elite arenas of popular culture.
“Us bringing corridos to these venues, I’m pretty sure it’s for the first time,” Paz shared ahead of the shows. “We’re really happy that our genre is growing and growing. We’re excited — we’ve been breaking all these records and making history.”
Fuerza Regida’s breakout moment wasn’t just about reaching mainstream audiences — it was about redefining what “mainstream” even means.
In May 2025, Billboard’s all-genre 200 chart made history: for the first time ever, two Spanish-language albums held the top two spots. Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos claimed No. 1, while Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA landed at No. 2. That placement didn’t just make headlines — it broke records. It marked the highest-charting Spanish-language album ever released by a duo or group in Billboard 200 history. It also set a new high-water mark for any regional Mexican album.
These milestones aren’t just about numbers — they signal a broader cultural shift. Spanish-language music is no longer confined to the “Latin” category. It’s dominating the same charts once thought to belong solely to English-language pop, rap, and rock.
And Fuerza Regida isn’t a flash in the pan. Their 2023 album, Pa Las Baby’s Y Belikeada, also peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Latin Albums chart and climbed into the Top 15 of the Billboard 200. That project earned them accolades including Top Duo/Group and Top Latin Duo/Group at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.
Their success is no longer just about fan loyalty — it’s about industry-wide recognition. And perhaps more importantly, it’s about staying true to their sound while pushing its boundaries.
With Pero No Te Enamores, their eighth studio album released in 2024, Fuerza Regida fully leaned into their role as innovators. The project ventured beyond their usual corrido roots to experiment with Jersey club rhythms, reggaeton, hip-hop, and even bachata — an unapologetic blend that felt less like a calculated move and more like a confident stride into artistic freedom.
That same year, the group embarked on a 76-date tour, reaching fans from every corner of the country — and beyond. It was a bold undertaking, but one that reinforced just how wide their appeal had become. Fuerza Regida wasn’t just representing regional Mexican music — they were evolving it, challenging what the genre could sound like and who it could speak to.
And fans responded with open arms. Younger generations, particularly bilingual and bicultural fans across the U.S., saw themselves in Fuerza Regida’s lyrics, aesthetics, and ambition. The band became more than musicians; they became cultural symbols — proof that you could honor your heritage without being boxed in by it.
When JOP talked about being “on that TV” years ago, he probably couldn’t have imagined the magnitude of what was to come. But what makes Fuerza Regida’s story so compelling isn’t just where they came from or even where they’re going — it’s how they got there.
This wasn’t a label-orchestrated success story. Fuerza Regida grew their fanbase the grassroots way — through social media, local shows, YouTube drops, and the kind of community engagement that money can’t buy. They created content that resonated with first-generation Latinos, with teens in the barrios of L.A., with kids blasting corridos from car stereos while wearing Nike Dunks and designer shades.
That relatability translated into loyalty, and that loyalty turned into momentum — momentum that pushed them into the upper echelon of global music stardom.
Fuerza Regida’s success is also a lesson in ignoring the mold. The band doesn’t chase radio play, they don’t beg for English-language collaborations, and they don’t dilute their sound to cater to a broader market. Instead, they’ve carved out their own lane — and the world is catching up.
Their lyrics can be gritty, real, and at times controversial. But they’re always authentic. Whether they’re singing about heartbreak, the streets, or success, there’s an undeniable sincerity in their music that’s hard to fake — and harder to ignore.
This realness, paired with an ambitious business strategy and undeniable charisma, has allowed them to dominate not only Latin charts but also impact the all-genre conversations.
With two of the most historic venues under their belt, what could possibly be next?
More than likely, global expansion. While their roots are planted firmly in California and Sinaloa culture, their branches are spreading far and wide. Collaborations with international artists, new musical explorations, and continued dominance of global charts all seem like inevitable next steps.
But if there’s one thing Fuerza Regida has taught the world, it’s that you can’t predict their next move. You can only bet that it’ll be bold, boundary-pushing, and entirely on their terms.
Fuerza Regida’s rise isn’t just their own personal victory — it’s a cultural one. It signals to young Latinos across the U.S. and Latin America that they don’t need to abandon their identity to be successful. They can wear their culture like armor. They can bring the banda to the big leagues. They can be both proud of where they came from and ambitious about where they’re going.
When they step onstage at Madison Square Garden or the Hollywood Bowl, it’s more than a concert — it’s a coronation. A moment that proves manifestation, when paired with unrelenting effort and authenticity, can turn even the most “crazy” dream into reality.
As JOP once said as a kid watching a Spanish talent show from the couch, “I’m going to be right there.”
He was right.
And Fuerza Regida isn’t just “right there” — they’re everywhere. And they’re not leaving anytime soon.