The Track Star’s Cinco de Mayo Playlist

Before we get started, let me say I lived in Mexico for 8 years. I worked as a professional DJ during my time there. In Mexico, I learned a few things I want to share before getting to the Cinco de Mayo playlist. First of all, the 5th of May celebrates the Battle of Puebla fought against the French. Mexicans do not refer to this holiday as “Cinco de Mayo” the way we say “fourth of July.” It is NOT a big deal in Mexico. Banks are open in Mexico on May 5th. Big holidays in Mexico, aside from Day of the Dead, include Mexican Independence Day (September 16) and Revolution Day (November 20).

 

UNDERSTANDING MEXICAN MUSIC

Not all Spanish music is Mexican. Reggaeton, salsa, merengue, bachata, bassanova, and samba are not Mexican. Mexico is most famous for giving birth to mariachi music. Other types of Mexican music include: Mexican cumbias (vs, for example, Colombian cumbias), banda, zapateados, norteños, corridos, rancheras, tribal, and duranguense. There are some rock en español (Mana) and hip hop artists/rappers (Cartel de Santa) from Mexico as well. Popular Mexican singers and bands include: Sonora Dinamita, Vicente Fernandez, Banda El Recodo, Thalia, Molotov, K-Paz de la Sierra, Juan Gabriel, Los Tigres del Norte, Marco Antonio Solis, La Arrollladora Banda El Limon, Luis Miguel, Los Bukis, Jenni Rivera, Los Caminantes, Laura Leon, and Los Angeles Azules. Popular Mexican-American singers include: Carlos Santana, Freddy Fender, Selena, Becky G, Demi Lovato, Deorro, Ozomatli, and Ritchie Valens. The kinda of music Selena sang is called tejana, which simply means “Texan” in Spanish. Up to you if you want to include her music…a Mexico-Mexican crowd may not really dance to her music.

 

CINCO DE MAYO PLAYLIST – MEXICAN PARTY MUSIC

• “La Chona,” Los Tucanes de Tijuana
• “Bailar,” Deorro
• “Oye Mi Amor,” Mana
• “El Coco No,” Roberto Jr.
• “El Toro,” Joan Sebastian
• “Escandalo,” Sonora Dinamita
• “Nunca Es Suficiente,” Los Angeles Azules
• “Intentalo,” 3BallMTY
• “Como Me Duele,” Valentin Elizalde
• “Vamonos de Fiesta,” Banda el Recodo
• “Estos Celos,” Vicente Fernandez
• “Tumbando Caña,” Banda Maguey
• “A Mover la Colita,” Sonora Dinamita
• “Cachete, Pechito, y Ombligo,” Los Reyes Locos
• “Juana La Cubana,” Fito Olivares
• “El Za Za Za (Mesa Que Mas Aplauda),” Grupo Klimax
• “El Baile De La Cachucha,” Banda Pelillos
• “Camaron Pelao,” Los Polifaceticos
• “El Tao Tao,” Control
• “El Sonidito,” Banda MS
• “Mil Horas,” Sonora Dinamita
• “Serian Las Dos,” Los Intocables del Norte
• “El Mechon,” Banda MS
• “La Cabrona,” Banda Jerez
• “El Camaleon,” Los Diferentes de la Sierra
• “La Puerta Negra,” Los Tigres del Norte (*use this as your Last Dance–great sing-along)
• “Chilito Piquin Cuñao,” Los Caminantes
• “Suavecito, Suavecito,” Laura Leon
• “Las Mujeres Lo Bailan Bien,” Los Torros Band
• “Arrepegaito,” Raza Obrera
• “Chango,” Ozomatli
• “Mi Cucu,” Sonora Dinamita

CINCO DE MAYO PLAYLIST – OTHER POPULAR LATIN MUSIC

• “Suavemente,” Elvis Crespo
• “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi
• “Danza Kuduro,” Don Omar
• “La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” Celia Cruz
• “La Camisa Negra,” Juanes
• “Cumbia Sampuesana,” Aniceto Molina
• “Vivir Mi Vida,” Marc Anthony
• “La Vaca,” Mala Fe
• “Solo Por un Beso,” Aventura
• “Loca People,” Sak Noel (r-rated)
• “Cumbia Sobre el Rio,” Celso Piña
• “El Mariachi,” Antonio Banderas
• “Scooby Doo Pa Pa,” DJ Kass

CINCO DE MAYO PLAYLIST – POPULAR MUSIC

• anything by Gloria Estefan
• anything by Pitbull
• anything by Jennifer Lopez
• anything by Shakira
• anything reggaeton (Daddy Yankee, J Balvin), salsa (Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz), or merengue
• “Oye Como Va,” Carlos Santana
• “La Bamba,” Ritchie Valens
• “Baila Conmigo,” Dayvi
• “Despacito,” Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi
• “Mambo #5,” Lou Bega

Mariachi music is really not dance music. At Mexican events, mariachi music is played during dinner or cocktails (before dancing starts). To include some mariachi in your Cinco de Mayo playlist, try “Cielito Lindo,” “El Mariachi Loco,” Viva Mexico,” and “Mexico Lindo y Querido.” You might also see if you can find some cool versions of “La Cucaracha” or the Mexican Hat Dance, if appropriate (remember “La Cucaracha” is like “Three Blind Mice”–more nursery rhyme than rager). If you are really trying to have an authentic Cinco de Mayo fiesta, a live mariachi band is a must. In addition to mariachi, other Mexican artists you can play for dinner/cocktail music include: Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solis, Los Bukis, Los Caminantes, and Luis Miguel. If for some reason you need a romantic slow dance on your Cinco de Mayo playlist, go with “De Rodillas Te Pido” by Los Alegres de la Sierra.

 

MEXICAN LINE DANCE

The Mexican line dance is called Payaso de Rodeo. It’s suuuuuper easy to learn if you want to tackle it at the Cinco de Mayo party (YouTube it in advance–2 stomps to the right, 2 stomps to the left, 2 stomps back on your right foot, 2 stomps forward on your left foot, quarter turn & start over). There are 2 songs used to dance the Payaso de Rodeo: “Payaso de Rodeo” (fast version) and “No Rompas Mas” (slow version) both by Caballo Dorado. Scary fact: “No Rompas Mas” is a Spanish version of Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart.”

 

LISTEN TO THE TRACK STAR’S CINCO DE MAYO PLAYLIST

 

 

Did I forget anything for a chingon Cinco de Mayo playlist? Let me know in the comments below!