The Evolution of Latin Music at Sueños Music Festival

The Sueños Music Festival recently attracted tens of thousands to its celebration of reggaetón and regional Mexican music. However, a distinct sound started to capture the audience’s attention: Latin rave. This event showcased a new wave of Latino artists who are integrating Latin rhythms such as cumbia, reggaetón, and regional Mexican sounds with global dance culture. The lineup included artists like Deorro, Roz, and Chicago DJs such as AYKID.

Latin music and electronic dance music (EDM) are increasingly blending in mainstream festivals, reshaping the landscape of Latino music for a younger and bicultural generation. Artists from this movement share beats that are deeply connected to heritage, migration stories, and culture, reaching audiences worldwide with music that travels beyond borders.

This year’s Sueños festival, held in Grant Park, spanned Saturday and Sunday across three stages. Headliners J Balvin and Kali Uchis captivated the Saturday audience. The La Fuente stage, the festival’s second-largest, was filled Saturday evening as Mexican EDM duo Roz performed. Fans gathered, shoulder-to-shoulder, as the duo combined electronic production with Latin rhythms, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

For many artists, this movement transcends genre experimentation, focusing on representation. Sebastián Oliva, known as Chan, is a Mexican-American EDM producer born in Milwaukee. Chan, aged 28, began blending Mexican sounds with EDM during the pandemic, gaining traction online. “Deorro is the top guy,” said Oliva, describing the dynamic movement within Latin electronic music.

Chan’s work highlights a culture-driven shift, with Latino DJs emphasizing their identity through music. “It’s not just about mixing Mexican sounds,” Chan emphasized. “It’s about being Mexican and making music for a wider audience.” Showcasing culture is paramount for Chan, whose parents immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico. He noted Sueños’ increasing visibility, performing there for a second year with a later slot, reflecting the growing recognition of this musical movement.

Chicago’s native Roger Morales, known as AYKID, echoed these sentiments. Morales had his first performance at Sueños and expressed pride in being selected among many potential artists. His set included house music, Latin edits, juke, and remixes, drawing from hip hop DJ culture and Chicago’s rich musical heritage. He acknowledged Chicago as the birth city for genres like Duranguense and juke, connecting to the music of his upbringing.

On Sunday night, Fuerza Regida closed out Sueños with a performance that merged EDM production and ranchera influences. Frontman Jesús Ortíz Paz, or JOP, stated the group challenges traditional regional Mexican norms while honoring their roots. “We surprise fans with traditional sounds but constantly innovate for the genre’s future,” JOP said.

This experimentation has led to collaborations with artists beyond their genre, including working with notable names like Shakira. JOP emphasized that blending corridos with electronic music came naturally during their exploration of new sounds. Nonetheless, the group remains authentic to its identity.

“We will always be Fuerza Regida. We stay rooted in our community while experimenting,” JOP noted.

As regional Mexican artists gain traction in mainstream festival spaces, JOP expressed pride in representing a younger generation. He emphasized their dedication to creating quality music and supporting their community and upcoming artists.

Their album “111XPANTIA” broke new ground as the first regional Mexican album nominated for Album of the Year at the American Music Awards. Fuerza has also appeared on major shows like Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” and gained feature status on Rolling Stone’s cover.

The group aspires to collaborate with top producers like Skrillex while broadening the genre’s influence. The evolution of regional Mexican music mirrors the bicultural experiences of many Mexican American artists and fans.

“We grew up with música mexicana, but also with influences like rap and house,” JOP concluded. “We represent a blend of these influences, making us global.”