Natanael Ruben Cano Monge, born on May 1, 2001, stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of Mexican rap and singer-songwriting. His prominence emanates from his adept fusion of traditional Mexican corridos with the dynamic currents of American hip-hop music.
A trailblazer in every sense, Cano pioneered the harmonious amalgamation of these two distinct genres, giving birth to the evocative corridos tumbados style. The origin of this groundbreaking concept can be attributed to Dan Sanchez, the mastermind behind Natanael’s debut corrido tumbado, “Soy El Diablo.”
Cano’s origins trace back to Hermosillo, Sonora. His precocious talent came to light at the tender age of nine, as he mesmerized audiences at family gatherings and various social events. By thirteen, he had independently grasped the art of playing the guitar, learning the chords of Mexican band Maná’s iconic track “Rayando el Sol” from YouTube.
His musical pursuit later honed in on regional Mexican corridos, particularly those by his muse, Ariel Camacho. At sixteen, Cano’s musical trajectory took a significant turn; he departed from formal education and released his inaugural composition on YouTube titled “El de los lentes Gucci.” This marked the inception of his unique fusion of hip-hop and trap with the traditional corridos, now fondly labeled as corridos tumbados.
The embryonic phase of Cano’s journey saw him populate YouTube with guitar cover videos before maturing into an underground performer. In March 2019, he inked a deal with Rancho Humilde, an urban regional Mexican label headquartered in Los Angeles. The visionary behind the label, Jimmy Humilde, sought to elevate urban regional corridos artists. Spotting Cano’s potential in an Instagram video early in 2019, Humilde facilitated Cano’s transition to Los Angeles, where the formal signing took place. Grounded by Humilde’s guidance, Cano is perpetually reminded of the grandeur he can attain if he remains steadfast through the voyage.
Cano’s artistic journey extends to collaborations with industry heavyweights such as Warner Music Latin and Apple Music. His pioneering fusion of genres catapulted him into the limelight, securing his distinction as the first Mexican artist to claim the coveted Apple Music Up Next title, a platform designed to unearth emerging stars. This milestone underscores Cano’s extraordinary ascent, having triumphed over 300 million tracks since his 2019 debut, earning him the mantle of the premier regional Mexican artist in his genre.
The inception of corridos tumbados, an innovative synergy of trap music and traditional Mexican corridos, unfolded in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where Cano, in conjunction with Rancho Humilde, showcased his unparalleled talents. Cano’s signature lies in his creation of corridos tumbados, a novel narrative that harmonizes the essence of traditional Mexican melodies with the lyrical cadence of trap, occasionally intertwined with hip-hop influences. He emerges as the veritable torchbearer of corridos tumbados, celebrated for his adeptness in crafting these subgenre marvels.
Cano succinctly defines his specialty as “the resonances of regional Mexican music infused with the pulsating energy of the new generation’s musical ethos.” As a counterpoint to traditional corridos that often recounted daily tragedies and crime-related tales, Cano’s oeuvre showcases a dynamic evolution, a departure evident in his albums Las Torres 3, Soy El Nata, and Trap Tumbado. His recent focus realignment spotlights corridos tumbados, a testament to his unwavering dedication to his musical core.
