Voz de Mando

From Los Angeles, California, the band members also have roots in the Mexican states of Michoacan and Baja California. The band was founded in 2009.

The band started in 2007 with their first release, "Escoge Tu Camino".[1] The band made a name for itself with the self-released albums Levantando la Voz (2009) and 12 Impactos de Alto Calibre (2009).[2] The early success led to a contract with Universal's Latin music imprint, Disa Records. In 2010, they released their first major-label album with Con la Nueva Federacion.[3] One of several songs on the album written by Gaxiola brother Miguel, the corrido "Comandos del M.P. (500 Balazos)" was a breakout hit single for the group, reaching the top ten in the Billboard Regional Mexican Songs chart.[4]

In 2011, Voz de Mando appeared in the Oscar nominated film A Better Life, starring Demian Bichir. Their hit "Commands M. P. ( 500 Balazos )" appeared on the film's soundtrack. Subsequent singles "Y Ahora Resulta" (2012) and "Muchacho de Campo" (2013) were crossover hits winning numerous awards, critical and fan recognition.[5]

In 2014, the group left Universal Music Group and formed a partnership with Sony Music. Founding band member Jorge Gaxiola formed his independent record label AfinArte Music and, along with Sony, released the band's hit single "Batalla del Golfo". The single formed the basis for Voz de Mando's sixth studio album, Levantado Polvadera.[6] The album's hit single "Levantando Polvadera" won song of the year in the Regional Music category at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the first ever Mexican regional band to win an iHeartRadio award.[7]

In 2015, founding member Miguel Gaxiola launched his own line of handmade guitars, Fortaleza Guitars. Fortalezas quickly became a popular instrument in the Mexican music world used by bands like Kinky and Conjunto Primavera.[8]

In 2016, the band appeared in the television series Ruta 35 starring Danna Garcia and Julio Bracho Castillo. Their single "Compadre No Rajes" was the show's original theme song.[9]

In 2017, Voz de Mando released their seventh studio album featuring two chart-topping singles, including the viral hit "Soldado Latinoamericano", which quickly became a hymn of Latino pride in the US and across the border. "Pa’ que no me anden Contando", a top-ten Billboard hit dominated radio play in the US.