When it comes to ranchera, norteño, mariachi, and other styles of regional music from Mexico, few names carry as much weight or generational talent as the Aguilars. Known collectively as Los Aguilar (and sometimes “La Dinastía Aguilar”), this musical family has helped define, reinvent, and carry forward the sound of Mexican music across decades.
Having performed during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, at the Grammy Awards, and all over the world, the Aguilar family has remained deeply rooted in tradition while continuously evolving to modern times.
On August 15 and 16, Pepe, Leonardo, and Ángela Aguilar will perform together on the Hollywood Bowl stage for the first time ever, pairing their rodeo-meets-circus-style performance with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez. To get ready for this huge milestone, take a listen through the songs of Los Aguilar.
Before Pepe Aguilar became a household name across the Americas for his own music, he was practically raised on the stage by two entertainment superstars. His mother was Flor Silvestre, one of the leading actresses of Mexican film’s Golden Age, nicknamed “La Sentimental” (The Sentimental Woman). And his father was Antonio Aguilar, known as “El Charro de México” (Mexico’s Cowboy) and perhaps the greatest ranchera actor-singers of all time.
Pepe performed his first concert at just 3 years old at Madison Square Garden with his father. As a teen, he began exploring rock, salsa, cumbia, and classical music. And as an adult, he has reshaped his family’s legacy by bringing new ideas and his iconic voice to everything from mariachi to modern pop.
“I wanted to follow a path that was unexplored until then. I wanted to be impertinent and adventurous in my musical choices. And the truth is, I’m just getting started,” Pepe told Variety. “Until recently, I felt I was somewhat tied to my own history. Now I’m beginning to find the sound that really defines me.”
Songs to Explore:
Often regarded as one of the more underrated Aguilar members, Leonardo has steadily carved out his own place in regional and traditional Mexican music. Since making his debut with his younger sister Ángela on their 2012 album Nueva Tradición, the 25-year-old has gone on to release a number of solo projects, including Gallo Fino, Y lo Volví a Hacer, and Soy Como Quiero Ser.
Leonardo tends to sing about hard-won love and family pride, leaning into the more raw, earthy side of norteño and regional Mexican music. His latest song, “Le Voy a Pedir a Dios,” sees the young singer at his most intimate and mature.
This year is proving to be a pivotal moment in Leonardo’s career. At Premio Lo Nuestro 2025, he became one of the ceremony’s most nominated artists of the year, earning eight nominations and winning the award for Mariachi/Ranchera Song of the Year for “Por el Contrario.”
Even as a teenager, Ángela Aguilar turned heads—not just because of her stunning voice, but for the way she carries the emotional weight of songs that seem far older than her. Born in 2003, Ángela has quickly become Gen-Z’s reference point for regional Mexican music, accumulating over 7 billion streams across her catalog. With her expressive and inspiring voice, she has helped draw new interest in ranchera among younger audiences.
“I acknowledge that I lived with a tremendous privilege—absurdly great—believing this was easy. But now, I increasingly realize the effort it takes to be a part of this genre,” Ángela said in a Grammy interview. Upon the release of her 2025 album, Nadie Se Va Como Llegó, she says the phrase fits her perfectly. “[It translates to] ‘nobody leaves as they arrived’— things can go well or poorly, and you might be learning, but the point is that you keep moving forward, you keep evolving.”
Songs to Explore
Together, Los Aguilar are living proof that regional Mexican music is alive, evolving, and cross-generational. Whether you’re tuning into their songs for the first time or reconnecting with the wide-ranging genre, this listening guide offers a brief but comprehensive overview of music that bridges the past, present, and future.
Discover more music by Los Aguilar through their joint album Celebrando a México!