How Grupo Marca Registrada changed course and diversified their sound: “It's the hunger to move forward”

Over the course of a decade, Grupo Marca Registrada earned a place in the local Mexican music scene, marking their style in norteño music. In 2022, they released hits like “Si Fuera Fácil”, “No Me Acuerdo” and “El Rescate” with Juniro H. But in mid-2023, their album Corleone he had not received the response they expected: only a week passed Advertising sign'small Regional Mexican Albums chart, at No. 16, and a week on Top Latin Albums at No. 50. And in the midst of the corridos tumbados craze, the outlook was not encouraging.

Despite collaborations with Carin León (“Me Haces Tan Bien”) and Grupo Frontera (“Dí Que Sí”, which reached No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay and No. 3 on Latin Airplay last spring) , they felt something was wrong. So their frontman, Fidel Oswaldo Castro, began the task of changing the musical direction and found emerging talents younger than himself – such as Octavio Cuadras, Joaquín Medina and Sheeno – who write, compose and produce with a unique touch and a “techno bélico”. sound.

Then came another trilogy of songs that would show a new face — “ELOVRGA” featuring Alex Favela and Joaquin Medina, which took them to No. 7 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and whose music video has over 102 million views. “Alucin” with Eugenio Esquivel and Sebastian Esquivel and the joyful corrido “Bling Bling” with Octavio Cuadras — released late last year. the latter with a remix featuring Colombian superstar Maluma.

Today (March 1), it is premieres a new edition of Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas' 2003 Latin pop hit “Andar Conmigo,” and will soon release something danceable with Belinda.

In an exclusive interview with Billboard EspañolCastro spoke at length about Grupo Marca Registrada's high-spirited Wheel of Fortune and their upcoming star-studded projects that also include Peso Pluma, Junior H and Xavi.

After a winning streak, things didn't turn out the way you thought. Were you prepared for this?

I am always prepared so that in case something goes wrong, I have a backup. It's the hunger to get ahead. You also have to put intelligence into the music, you have to look where no one else wants to look.

Why did you decide to give a chance to very young, practically unknown artists?

Everyone wants to record with big artists. I didn't look for it, I looked for quality, I looked for talent. I had the numbers. I looked for a product to sell, something good and quality that wasn't over exposed. So I started with Joaquin [Medina] and Alex [Favela] for the song “Elovrga”, then with the Esquivel brothers I did “Alucin”, which has become a hit on the electronic music charts in Spain. Octavio [Cuadras]a Sinaloan like me, also came along with a good song, “Bling Bling”, and I gave it a shot.

These three songs worked and did what I wanted: to expose Mexican music like no one else. We released them and people were incredibly receptive to it. Let's just say I feel refreshed musically. This led to other opportunities. The collaboration with Maluma was done and we went to Colombia to record a new version of “Bling Bling”, which is now heard by millions around the world.

Has taking a musical turn in your career affected your relationship with your local Mexican colleagues?

On the contrary, now I've already received calls from big stars who at one time thought that Fidel had already sunk — but after seeing the path I've taken, they're interested in working with me. I am not against success, fame or money.

You could have stayed doing corridos, but you played the last card.

I've been doing this for 12 years, two on my own and 10 with Marca Registrada. The key is to adapt to what will get you work. It's always worked for me to adapt to the new, but I don't stop doing my own thing.

Are you now working as a team with these newfound talents?

I made my artist group with Sheeno and Octavio Cuadras, new talents that I respect a lot. I have a lot of trust in them, I want them to work and put the music of Mexico very high. I've told the guys that it's not about saying that the songs are mine because I'm the famous one. we are in the same boat together. Octavio has his place, as does Joaquin (Medina), Alex Favela and the Esquivel brothers. Everyone gets what they really deserve.

Are you working with them on the new Marca Registrada album?

Completely. The album, from RB Music/Interscope, is called The GOAT (The Greatest Of All Time). There are 12 songs and an intro. it's trap, it has nothing to do with norteño music. In the previous album, CorleoneI focused on what the Marca Registrada people were asking for.

This production is very different — there are duets with guys that no one knows, like Angel Cervantes and Oslin, who co-wrote “Torai,” a song I put on TikTok and was doing really well when the label dropped the music. However, another producer of ours, Marcelo Rivs, who was working with Belinda, showed it to her, she loved it, we recorded it just last week and it was a great experience. It has a techno-bélico, dance vibe. Belinda is a very important figure. it is always in the news and that is very good.

Have you ever imagined yourself making house or electronic music?

Years ago, when I was hanging out in nightclubs, I used to think how great it would be to be as successful as the reggaetón leaders with their music. Today, I can be proud that my songs are sung and danced in those places.

You have a new collaboration with Julieta Venegas, how did that approach come about?

Julieta Venegas is an extraordinary person, I have always been a big fan of hers. Today I can tell you that she is my friend. I had already recorded “Limón y Sal”, but I dreamed of doing something with her and through my distributor the contact was made, we sent her the demo and she liked it. Julieta told me she wanted something in the style of Marca Registrada, very local Mexican and decided it should be “Andar Conmigo”. We went to Buenos Aires [where she lives] to shoot the video, another unforgettable moment.

What other partnerships are coming up in the near term?

Collaborations are coming with Belinda, with Peso Pluma and Junior H, who we have recorded with in 2022, 2023 and we already have this year's song, so we have high expectations. Also with Xavi. Beyond the fact that he is the artist of the moment is that we connect. I didn't record with Peso Pluma at the time, it will be done now. With Edén (Muñoz) something is also coming, as well as with Alfredo Olivas. they are great friends of mine and readers of local Mexican music.

Do you still consider yourself a local Mexican artist despite all these new sounds and mixes you're experimenting with?

One hundred percent, I always will be. Doing new things doesn't define me as a different kind of artist. All the music I make will always be Mexican, proudly.