# Mexico Sings picks its three winners

> A government-backed contest crowned three young regional Mexican artists, with a record deal and a Zócalo stage as the prize.
- Title: Mexico Sings picks its three winners · Billboard | Shortify
- Summary: A government-backed contest crowned three young regional Mexican artists, with a record deal and a Zócalo stage as the prize. México Canta is Mexico's…
- Keywords: regional mexican, music contest, mexico, corridos, banda, Sings, picks, three, winners, Billboard
- Source: Billboard — https://billboard.com/music/latin/mexico-canta-2026-winners-revealed-1236339465
- Author: Natalia Cano
- Published: 2026-09-14T17:14:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: regional mexican, music contest, mexico, corridos, banda
## Three winners, one million votes
Bryan Soto of Mexico, plus Mexican-Americans Lizandro Espinoza and Tiffany Galaviz, took the second edition of México Canta on Sept. 13 with the highest public vote counts.
## The prize is a real career
Each winner gets a record deal to make a first studio album and a slot at the Independence Day concert in Mexico City's Zócalo on Sept. 15, headlined by Intocable.
## Sheinbaum called it excellent
Mexico's president highlighted the turnout at her Monday press conference, framing the million votes as proof the contest landed with the public.

> One million people participated in the voting. It was truly excellent.
## Built to replace narco lyrics
The government initiative promotes young performers whose songs avoid glorifying violence and drugs. The final aired live on public TV from the National Auditorium.
## Banda, sierreño, mariachi
Soto sang banda with his band Clave 5/7. Espinoza, born in Portland, offered a sierreño ballad shaped by Juan Gabriel and Antonio Aguilar. Galaviz, from Glendale, sang mariachi she studied formally.
## A contest on both sides
Eight finalists competed, four from each country, after separate semifinals in Mexico and the U.S. Los Tigres del Norte and Snow Tha Product backed the effort.
## The corrido crackdown behind it
At least 10 of Mexico's 32 states now restrict songs glorifying drug trafficking. In April 2025 the U.S. revoked Los Alegres del Barranco's visas after they projected a cartel leader's image onstage.

> Glorifying violence is a trend
## Key takeaway

México Canta is Mexico's attempt to redirect regional music away from narco themes by rewarding young artists who sing about something else.