A new campaign uses regional Mexican music to encourage Latino voters, particularly Mexicans, to participate in the upcoming November elections, highlighting the cultural power of music in uniting communities and promoting civic engagement.
The influence of music in shaping cultural identity and unity is undeniable, especially within the Latino community. Recognizing this, a new non-partisan campaign in the United States titled “Grita. Canta. Vota” aims to leverage the power of regional Mexican music to mobilize Latino voters, particularly Mexicans, for the upcoming November elections. This initiative seeks to educate and inspire the Latino population about the importance of voting and their potential impact on the electoral process.
Launched with a budget of $1.5 million and supported by a network of volunteers, the “Grita. Canta. Vota” campaign debuted its first video on Friday. The video features a lively theme song of the same name, performed and composed by the cumbia norteña group “Control,” founded by Mexican singer Sergio Degollado. The campaign aims to reach its audience through social media platforms and community events.
“The music plays an integral role in Latino culture; it is part of our cultural identity and brings people together,” states the campaign’s website, emphasizing the importance of music in fostering community spirit and encouraging political participation. The initiative, backed by Includus Fund, targets critical states such as Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, to reach 10 million voters.
The campaign’s debut video, shot in Washington and California, carries a powerful message for Hispanic voters: “We are Latinos, do not forget it. We are important for growth and a bright future; we will make history because we are warriors, even though we are far from our people, so shout, sing, vote…”
Engaging the Youth and Community
Degollado, who emigrated to the U.S. 40 years ago, is passionate about the campaign. “This is a good cause; our message is to invite the youth to vote. My daughters are U.S. citizens, which motivated me to do something for the campaign,” he told EFE. His daughter Jennifer, the accordionist, echoed his sentiments, highlighting the importance of voting to bring change. “If people decide to vote this year, it could make a difference for this country,” she said.
Prominent Mexican artists support the initiative, encourage their followers to vote, and invite campaign organizers to their concerts to educate fans about voting and assist with voter registration. Esau Torres, co-founder of the campaign and former member of the group “Los Malandrines” along with his brother, mentioned a large concert planned for October featuring well-known artists.
The campaign has garnered the support of various famous Mexican artists and groups, including La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, El Recodo, Los Recoditos, Lupillo Rivera, Larry Hernández, Alicia Villarreal, and newer artists like Chiquis Rivera, Xavi, and José Manuel. These artists, who have incorporated diverse influences into Mexican music, aim to attract younger audiences.
Harnessing Cultural Influence for Civic Engagement
“The music is trendy, and this particular genre reaches many people,” Torres stated. He recalled how he and his brother Euler spent 17 years traveling across the U.S. by bus for their performances because they lacked documentation. This journey allowed them to connect deeply with their community and understand the powerful bond that music can create, a bond that had not been previously utilized for the community’s benefit.
Seeking to understand the impact of voting, the brothers paused their music careers. Euler became an activist and now serves as vice president of LULAC for the northeastern U.S., while Esau completed his education, attended university, and studied Political Science. This background has enabled them to use their musical experience to spearhead this impactful campaign.
According to Torres, educating not only those who don’t vote but also artists who may be disconnected from political systems is essential. He emphasized that voting is not merely a political act but a crucial aspect of civic engagement that affects everyone’s daily lives. The next video, featuring corridos, will be released in October, further expanding the campaign’s reach.
“We want people to know that voting is not about politics; it’s about impacting our lives. We need to change the narrative because we are not bad people; we love this country, contribute significantly, and want to demonstrate that through our vote,” Torres said.
The campaign’s final phase will culminate on Election Day with the slogan “Vota con botas.” Artists will use their social media platforms to encourage voting, dressed as they do for their concerts, symbolizing their cultural pride and commitment to civic duty.
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