Los Tigres Del Norte

A classic representation of the Mexican immigrant experience in the "north," Los Tigres Del Norte is música norteña's most successful and important band. In 1968, the Hernández brothers (lead vocalist, accordionist and director Jorge along with his brothers Hernán, Eduardo and Luis and their cousin Oscar Lara) left their home in Sinaloa to begin their journey to the U.S. While at a gig in the border town of Mexicali, they were invited to perform in San José, California, for the Mexican Independence Day Celebration. Still with no name for their band, a chance encounter with a border official resulted in the group's title (he referred to them as "little tigers").

Los Tigres began recording rancheras and corridos dealing with the topical subjects of illegal immigration and drug trafficking during the 1970s, issues that are now are at the helm of the Mexican-American border situation. Since then the band has gone on to become chroniclers of the Mexican experience in the U.S. and back home.

The group's accomplishments include 30 recordings, 14 films and a Grammy (along with 17 nominations), a street named after the band in Chicago and sold-out performances from California to Guadalajara and Washington, D.C., to Spain. —Rebeca Mauleon