Fuerza Regida Talks Being ‘Iconic,’ Giving Back to the Community & Making History With ‘111XPANTIA’

Fuerza Regida isn’t done doing iconic things.

After making history with 111XPANTIA — which become the highest charting Spanish-language album by a duo or group ever on the Billboard 200 when it debuted at No. 2 in May — the band from San Bernardino, Calif., is set to perform back-to-back shows at the Madison Square Garden and Hollywood Bowl. Taking place June 20 and June 21, respectively, frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz says with a smirk, “Hollywood Bowl is iconic, Madison Square Garden is iconic, so we’re iconic.”

In a candid interview with Billboard, Fuerza Regida also talks about the importance of making history with its latest LP — which also scored the largest week for a regional Mexican album on the Billboard 200 — in a political climate that seems to be anti-Mexican. “We came here to show our roots and make sure that everyone knows that Mexicans can go No. 1 in the U.S.,” Paz adds categorically.

During the chat, with delicious hibachi on the menu for lunch, Paz and band members José García, Moisés López, Khrystian Ramos and Samuel Jáimez spoke about finding the perfect synergy that would lead to their success, how manifestation has always been a big part of their ethos and why giving back to the community is important for the band. In fact, right after lunch, the band sent the hibachi food truck out to the San Bernardino area to feed more than 100 locals.

Fuerza is part of the new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers who have globalized the genre over the past few years. 111XPANTIA marked Fuerza Regida’s sixth No. 1 overall on Top Regional Mexican Albums. The group’s No. 1 run began in July 2019, when Del Barrio Hasta Aquí debuted at the summit, becoming its longest-leading set to date, with an 18-week domination. 

Check out Billboard‘s interview with Fuerza Regida above.