5 Women Who Perpetuate Their Family Legacy in Regional Mexican Music (2024)

• Ángela Aguilar

  

  Granddaughter of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, two of the most representative figures of Mexican music and charrería. Her father, Pepe Aguilar, is one of the most important and respected singers of ranchera music. Ángela is currently the most successful female figure in regional Mexican music.

  What does it mean to you to belong to the Aguilar Dynasty?

  For me it is a great responsibility and a great honor to have at home people who have already lived what I am about to live. My grandmother Flor Silvestre helped this new generation of female singers get the recognition they deserve. She was part of this movement of powerful and enterprising women who decided to dedicate themselves to music and acting, so for me to have her as a reference and follow in her footsteps is a privilege.

  As a woman, is it difficult for you to combine work and personal life?

  I think that for the moment it is fine in my case, because my family is the one who manages me and they are the people who will take care of me the most. But I understand that in the future, when I have children, it will be a little difficult. My dad always told us the difference between being a manager and being a father, so I know how to handle this part.

  What changes do you think should be made for women to enjoy professional equality?

  In Mexican regional music, men predominate. Generations of women before mine had to work hard to get the recognition that men have always been given. I think there should be more exposure for female talent in music and I am referring to female composers, producers, sound engineers. I think there is no gender equality in that aspect.

• Camila Fernández

  

  Granddaughter of Vicente Fernández, the most representative figure of ranchera music. Her father is Alejandro Fernández, successful singer of the same genre who inherited his father’s voice, who in turn inherited to his son Alex Fernández powerful vocals and, to Camila, a voice to which she has given her own style.

  What does it mean to you to belong to the Fernández Dynasty?

  For me to be the only woman musically representing the Fernández Dynasty is something that makes me happy and makes me proud of the roots where I come from. I am proud to see the work that my grandfather and my father have done to be where they are and that inspires me and fills me with energy to keep going forward and to be able, if people allow me, to give them all of myself.

  As a woman, is it difficult to combine work and personal life?

  Sometimes it is difficult, but since I grew up in this environment, it is something that has been part of me since I was born and it is something I know how to handle. In fact, I have been molding my husband and he has understood this issue.

  What changes do you think should be made for women to enjoy professional equality?

  The representation of women in music is growing day by day and I think that if we support each other, we would create more impact. Of course, there are a lot more things that can change. Women need to be positioned in places of power, there must be more inclusion in the industry, from festival lineups to work teams, production, management, engineering, design, etcetera.

• Chiquis

  

  Janney Marín Rivera is the daughter of the unforgettable Jenni Rivera, the last great female figure of regional Mexican music. Chiquis, as she is known, inherited the responsibility of continuing her family and musical legacy upon her mother’s death. With a great personality, she is writing her own history.

  What does it mean to you to belong to the Jenni Rivera Dynasty?

  Personally, it is a source of pride and a great responsibility to represent a dynasty like my family’s, my mother’s in particular. I do my best to always keep her in my mind in what I do, but I also like to do my own thing.

  As a woman, is it difficult to combine work and personal life?

  It helps to know that I have a family that understands me, that we have lived through so many things with my mom. My siblings understand and don’t feel bad if I can’t be at a family party because I’m working. We are very used to that.

  What changes do you think need to be made for women to enjoy professional equality?

  I think it is a combination of many things. I think there should be more support among women in regional Mexican music; women who are in important positions in record companies should support other women and we as artists should not be afraid to take risks.

  It’s about expressing yourself with your music, not keeping quiet, not worrying about what people will say and moving forward. I believe that today there are more women in the genre, and if we unite we will be stronger and more powerful. The important thing is not only to say it, but to do it. Show support with deeds.

• Majo Aguilar

  

  Majo is the granddaughter of Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, daughter of Antonio Aguilar Jr., niece of Pepe Aguilar and cousin of Ángela. With a peculiar style, she has given a refreshing sound to ranchera music, while still imprinting feeling to the interpretation.

  What does it mean to you to belong to the Aguilar Dynasty?

  My grandparents were two very important pillars for Mexican music, they took Mexico to many places in the world with love, humility and greatness as well. To have a part in my being of the blood of these two great human beings, who instilled in our family that love for our music, is a source of immense pride and happiness.

  As a woman, is it difficult to combine work and personal life?

  It has not been difficult in my case, since my family, my partner and my friends are very supportive of my decision to become a singer, they nurture my desire to sing and celebrate my achievements. I believe that all women in the world deserve to feel supported and supported in their dreams without being judged.

  What changes do you think should be made for women to enjoy professional equality?

  First of all, to recognize women for what they are: a very important part of society, with the same capabilities and aptitudes as men. Recognizing that would be a step forward so that there can be equality, because there is still a kind of cloud between men and women; it is no longer as dense, but it still exists.

• Lupita Infante

  

  Granddaughter of Pedro Infante, the great legend of Mexican music, Lupita is the only representative of the dynasty. Nominated for a Grammy and a Latin Grammy, she has made ranchera music her profession, carrying her legacy throughout the United States.

  What does it mean to you to belong to the Infante Dynasty?

  It is a great privilege. I do what I do with a lot of love, affection and above all respect. This is something that brings me closer to my roots and my family, so I feel I need it in my life to feel complete.

  As a woman, is it difficult to combine work and personal life?

  I think that when you come from such a big family name, it is not possible to separate your family and name from your profession; it is something you have to learn to work with and you have to represent it as it deserves.

  What changes do you think need to be made for women to enjoy equality in the professional sphere?

  We women need them to believe in us, in our ideas, in our projects, in our vision. I think it is sometimes difficult for men to believe that we can. We need them to support and invest in women in this music industry.

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