Earlier this month, Uribe became the first Colombian nominated for "Best Regional Mexican Album" at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
"As a Colombian music artist, being nominated for an album with a ranchero influence fills me with pride, though it's not entirely foreign to me. I grew up singing mariachi," he tells New Times over Zoom in his native Spanish from his home in Colombia. "I've always admired and dreamed of performing alongside incredible artists. I've had the privilege of working with talents like Carin León, Luis R. Conriquez, Yos Favela, Alejandro Fernández, and Espinoza Paz, which has helped me feel a sense of familiarity with this genre. To be in such an important category and represent regional music is truly special. It's something that will always stay with me. I still have the medal at home as a constant reminder."
For Uribe, his recent Grammy stint was a surreal experience. "I was very anxious, nervous. I've always tried to hide those reactions that one has to events like this, but the truth is, I was very nervous. One thing is a Latino Grammy, but another is a Grammy Anglo, which is something spectacular. The whole event is made perfectly so that people can have a beautiful experience. It feels like you are in a dream, like, Where am I? Seeing Billy Joel and Bruno Mars pass by, it's crazy."
Colombian Mariachis
Uribe has spent years creating ranchera- and mariachi-inspired music. While growing up in Colombia, he played in a mariachi band for six years."Mexican people often tell me they had no idea about the mariachi culture in Colombia, but honestly, there are more mariachis here in Colombia than in Mexico. Mariachi music is incredibly strong here, and the musicians are outstanding," he says. "If you visit cities like Cali, Medellín, Cartagena, or Barranquilla, you'll find amazing mariachis everywhere. Whether it's the mariachi in Cali or Medellín mariachi groups, they're in every city and perform at an exceptional level. The culture has been part of us for many years."
The rise of música popular highlights how regional music has gone global, with each country adding its own twist. One day, Jessi hopes that the music will fall under one genre, regardless of where it comes from.
"Think about reggaeton. It used to be divided into Puerto Rican reggaeton, Colombian reggaeton, and so on, but eventually, those distinctions blurred, and it became world urban music. Now, it's recognized globally as urban music without borders," Uribe explains. "I believe regional music will follow a similar path. I've had the chance to visit countries where I've met incredibly talented artists who sing beautiful regional music, but they struggle to find a space to represent themselves. As popular artists from the heart of the Colombian region, we defend our culture and people. Yet, amazing singers from Chile, Bolivia, and Venezuela face the same challenge. They can't find a platform, so they have to label themselves as regional Mexican singers even though they're not. That's the only way they can fit in. I think at some point, we'll all become part of a single global genre, whatever it ends up being called."
A Global Audience
On Friday, February 21, Uribe will perform poolside at the Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with tickets selling out in a matter of hours, further proof of música popular's growing popularity outside of Colombia. According to Uribe, fans from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and beyond have written to express their excitement for the show."I never use a setlist. I prefer to gauge the audience's reaction and adapt from there. I usually start with one of my stronger songs and see how people respond," he says. "If the crowd is energetic and excited, I go all in with my own songs. But if they're not quite there yet, and the vibe hasn't picked up, I'll switch to covers, songs I grew up with that help get them into the groove."
His go-to artist for covers is, naturally, Mexican singer Joan Sebastian.
However, regarding potential collaborators, Uribe is looking beyond the regional sound.
"I'd love to work with Karol G and J Balvin and even explore salsa with Grupo Niche. Salsa with regional would be brutal. In Colombia, salsa and cumbia are very strong. I've also been a little risky lately. I recently released a song with los Dareyes de la Sierra. It's a romantic corrido tumbado, something I'd never done before. It puts my music on the radar of people who didn't know it before."
Jessi Uribe. 8:30 p.m. Friday, February 21, at the Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; myhrl.com. Sold out.
