Duranguense
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duranguense (also known as el pasito duranguense) is a genre of Mexican music. It is one of the most popular styles of Mexican music among the Mexican-American community in the United States. Grupo Montez, Patrulla 81, Alacranes Musical, Los Horoscopos de Durango, Conjunto Atardecer "Los Numero Uno Del Pasito Duranguense", and K-Paz de la Sierra are some of the most popular bands.
Duranguense literally means Durangan. The musical style originated from Durango, a state in northwestern Mexico. Because the Chicago metropolitan area has a large community of immigrants from Durango, duranguense is most popular there. Many duranguense bands are founded by Durangan immigrants from Santiago Papasquiaro and Durango.
Duranguense is not entirely Mexican, as most bands have been founded by Mexican-American immigrants in the United States. Some people think that it should be alternatively called música chicanguense ("Chicagoan music") because it has evolved and been popularized mainly in the U.S.
Duranguense is closely related to banda and norteño. Although duranguense bands are also sometimes referred to as bandas, it is nevertheless different from banda. Duranguense has several differences that set it apart from the two genres. First of all, duranguense bands are much smaller than bandas but are a few people larger than norteño bands. Also, the tempo is distinguishably rapid and faster than that of norteño. Duranguense is also heavily dependent on percussion. Any duranguense song is likely to have heavy drumrolls and loud percussions.
Duranguense probably originated in Durango decades ago, but it was not until the 2000s that it became as popular, if not more popular, as norteño and banda. El Grupo Montez, one of the best-known duranguense bands, topped the Latin music charts around the nation. Their CD, De Durango a Chicago, was a best-selling CD and had been a top 10 music bestseller in Chicago on Amazon.com. Patrulla 81's hits Como Pude Enamorarme de Ti and No Aprendí a Olvidar were also mega-hits on the regional Mexican radio.
