Somos Leyenda
“In 2012, when world-ending theories were circulating, I got so stuck that I said to myself, ‘If this happens, I don’t want to be anywhere else but home with my children and wife,’” Christian Félix—leader, composer, and vocalist of Grupo Maximo Grado—tells Apple Music. “And if it doesn’t end, then brace yourselves, because I’m going to give my all.” Thirteen years later, the bet that the Baja Californian made with his future—leaving other people’s projects to focus on his own—seems to have paid off. Grupo Maximo Grado has established itself as the very definition of contemporary corrido, with a special composition style that’s key to the development of the genre.
Félix celebrates that mystical anniversary by recording new duets with the cream of the crop from corrido’s last decade. Together they reinterpret Grupo Maximo Grado’s most iconic songs, the ones that soundtracked nights of partying while also laying a foundation for what was to come. From current stars such as Natanael Cano, Carín León, and Tito Double P to legends like Los Dareyes De La Sierra, LEGADO 7, and Grupo Marca Registrada, these talents come together to pay tribute to the Sinaloan group. “Some of these personalities tell me that I came to change corridos,” Félix says. “And I do consider myself part of that evolution. But during the past five years, everything has become 300 percent bigger. The admiration is reciprocal, and it is an honor that they admire me.” Below, he gives Apple Music a little more about some of the collaborations, in his own words.
“Gallos Y Caballos”
“This composition of mine was recorded in 2015. It was chosen by Nata [Cano]. I never imagined he would ask for this one, but that was it. Then, we did a lot more things to it. It occurred to me to put something more up-to-date, some sound effects and so on. I really liked the result. Nata’s sound is amazing. I had never heard him sing a genre like this, and I loved it.”
“Unas Heladas”
“I wrote this song a while ago at a private event. I told the client, ‘Give me 15 minutes, I’ll bring an idea, just let me rest a little.’ I went to the car and wrote the corrido in those 15 minutes. Then he came out and he loved it. When setting it up for my buddy Eden Muñoz, we tried to bring something fresher to it. We added an even longer introduction, with drums and all. I added an effect so it sounds like you’re spinning up a vinyl record. Hats off to Eden, whose voice was incredible. From singing all the romantic music that he does now, I told him, ‘Come here, to the urban, to the corridos,’ just like back when he sang with Calibre 50. The truth is that he sounds very cool in this track. He decided to put tuba on it, and that was also spectacular.”
“La Güera y La Morena”
“We originally recorded this song on the album Marca Acme, and it talks about female empowerment. It’s a duet with Carín León, who had first chosen to sing ‘Unas Heladas,’ but then told me ‘Wait, compa, I’m better with this one.’ I don’t know what he saw in it, but it was a very smart move, because it’s known that Carín’s audience is mostly women and they are going to like the song. We recorded it, made a fresher production, and Carín’s voice sounds great, like he belonged in it since the beginning. He has that very true confidence in his voice and in what he sings. That’s why what he delivers—and everything he does—sounds incredible. Moreover, Carín is a big admirer of the group. He told me that my music fed him. He even says that Christian Félix was one of the first rock stars in Mexico, because of my very peculiar way of making him carefree about absolutely everything.”
“Yo Soy Iván”
“The selection of this song was unlike the others. Darey [de la Sierra] has always been part of my personal tastes. I love his career, his history, and I love that, at 13 years old, I got drunk for the first time listening to songs by Los Alteños De La Sierra, Dareyes de la Sierra, and so on. I get very nostalgic about that. Darey has now decided to jump back into the ring and I am loving what he’s doing. I think he was one of the few who didn’t pick their song. It seems to me that the voices of Christian Félix and Darey are totally different. Like black and white or yin and yang. Then I thought that ‘Yo Soy Iván’ was a good experiment, because it was going to have a totally different air. For us, this is one of our great anthems, and I am very satisfied with the result of the collaboration with Darey.”
“Capitán América”
“This song was chosen by my compadre Alfredo [Olivas]. I vaguely have a clue as to why. He told me that he really likes our music and how I compose, so he knew the song. I believe he chose it because he identifies it with a very delicate family issue that he had with his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. The lyrics speak of a boy who passed away on his birthday while disguised as Captain America, and of all the consequences that his family experiences. I think that’s why my compadre related to it a lot. I even saw him crying once. We went to the studio and when Alfredo started singing the song, I got goosebumps, I swear. My compadre’s interpretation of it is very powerful. I know it’s going to be a hit, too.”
“8,000 KM”
“Belinda came to be what the album was missing—the feminine part. Then Nata invited us to his concert in Mexico City, and Belinda was also there. When we arrived, David [Bonilla], who’s Warner’s A&R rep, had already told her about the album. We went to greet her and she said, ‘Hey, why didn’t you invite me to guest on the album, huh? Not nice.’ I was shocked and replied, ‘Well, that’s why I’m here, Beli, to invite you. We already had you in our sights.’ I liked the idea of hearing a bélico Beli fused with the sound of Grupo Maximo Grado, and we did it. I loved it. It became the icing on the cake of the entire project.”
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