Grupo Frontera heads to the Grammys with 2 nominations

MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Regional Mexican band is heading to the with two nominations, following a double-nod at the Latin Grammys, where they competed for best regional Mexican song and a collaboration with Fuerza Regida.

While they didn’t win a , the band said they were honored to have shared the category with Los Tigres del Norte, a group they consider true legends. Now, Grupo Frontera looks ahead to the Grammys on Feb. 1, where they will compete for best M煤sica Mexicana album (including Tejano) for their EP with Fuerza Regida, 鈥淢ala m铆a,鈥� and their solo EP 鈥淵 lo que viene.”

These are the group鈥檚 first Grammy nominations 鈥攁 remarkable feat considering they only debuted in 2022.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something you would never think, that someone who plays our style of music would be nominated,鈥� said the group鈥檚 vocalist and bajo quinto performer Adelaido 鈥淧ayo鈥� Solis III about the Grammys.

The idea for an EP with Fuerza Regida came from guitarist Beto Acosta, who drew inspiration from the success of their hit 鈥淏eb茅 dame鈥� and other important collaborations such as 鈥淥asis鈥� by and J Balvin.

鈥淥ur vibes are similar,鈥� Payo said. 鈥淚 feel that the chemistry is very cool.”

The EP was recorded in Los Angeles, where the band took the opportunity to record additional material, including 鈥淭u favorita鈥�, a collaboration with Fuerza Regida and Chilean artist Cris MJ, featured on their latest album 鈥淟o que me falta por llorar.”

鈥淭he cool thing is that they are from Los Angeles and we are from Texas,鈥� Payo said of the band led by Jes煤s Ortiz Paz. 鈥淲e kind of have a certain style that we grew up listening to 鈥� I feel that that was a super perfect fusion.”

Since the debut of 鈥淟o que me falta por llorar,” Grupo Frontera has maintained their momentum with a string of surprises and releases. Most recently, they joined Bad Bunny at one of his eight concerts in Mexico City to perform their hit 鈥淯n x100to.鈥� They also released 鈥淏eses as铆鈥� with Calle 24, and the music video for 鈥淪e me sale,” one of the songs on their album.

Next up for the band is a long-awaited international tour that will take them to Latin America and Europe, including stops in Bogota, Mexico City, Paris, London, Madrid, Milan, Quito, Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile.

The tour marks a return to the spotlight after a period of focusing on producing new music.

鈥淲e decided to take a break because, last year, we were releasing songs recorded right on stage,鈥� Payo said. 鈥溾€楺u茅date, beb茅鈥� was actually recorded during a soundcheck that night… To be honest, we didn鈥檛 realize just how much we would miss being up there.”

For 鈥淟o que me falta por llorar鈥� the band reunited with , the Mexican producer and composer currently nominated for his third consecutive Grammy for songwriter of the year. However, at Barrera’s own suggestion, the band looked for other collaborators including Tito Double P, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, Ozuna and Myke Towers, who contributed their own styles.

The new album also marks Grupo Frontera鈥檚 new approach of allowing themselves to embrace songs of pain.

鈥淣ormally, our lyrics are sad, but the music is happy,” said Payo. 鈥淲ith this album, (鈥淟o que me falta por llorar鈥�) we try to make the sad songs actually sound sad.”