Regulo Caro is trying to set the record straight about ‘corridos’

The singer-songwriter is dedicating his new album “Senzu-Rah,” which comes out later this year, to the fight against censorship that has followed the genre.

“It’s a concept album that relates with all the censorship our genre is suffering,” Caro told VOXXI via email. “Someone had to stand up and fight. They don’t understand our music, it’s a smoke screen. They just want to blame our music for their failure on not being able to control the violence there is in our society.”

Described as a fusion sound embracing hints of norteño, reggae, banda and metal, “Senzu-Rah,” is Caro’s fourth studio effort, which marks quite an evolution.

SEE ALSO: ‘Narco Cultura’ film exposes Mexico’s drug culture and narcocorridos

He arrived on the music scene with 2010’s “Musica, Polvora Y Sangre.” This was followed by 2012’s “Amor En Tiempos De Guerra,” which was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.

Next came 2013’s “Especialista” and its big hit “Voy a Pistearme el Dolor.” Caro said stylistically his new track “Soltero Disponible,” which is the lead single of “Senzu-Rah,” is similar to “Voy a Pistearme el Dolor” with its catchy lyrics and musical style. He’s hoping it’ll turn people’s heads.

In fact, that’s something Caro, who was born in Sinaloa, México but now resides in the city of Long Beach, Calif., has been doing since the age of 13 when he formed his first band. It wasn’t until he graduated from college years later that music as a career became his passion.

That’s when his cousin Gerardo Ortíz, who is arguably the biggest name in regional Mexican music, recorded a couple of his songs. Caro never looked back. Since then, other artists – Julion Alvarez, Los Bohemias de Sinaloa, Nuevos Rebelde, Banda MS, Raúl Hernández, Los Buitres and Alfredito Olivas – have recorded his songs.

When asked what he hopes people think of when they hear his name, the Del Records recording star said, “This is good music. That’s what I hope they say every time they hear my name. I have a unique style that separates me from the rest.”

Part of that separation in style can be attributed to his sound, which has more of an alternative rock background. When asked about another band’s career trajectory that he would like to emulate, his answer was surprising.

“Deftones, they are my idols,” Caro said. “I try following their footsteps. Somehow they managed to stay relevant in their genre without straying away from their roots. They know how to innovate and stay fresh without betraying their musical soul.”

As far as just how big the regional Mexican genre can get, Caro is optimistic.

“It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “We are growing stronger every year. Social media has opened a wider panorama of this genre. It’s time for us to shine.”

SEE ALSO: Mexico battles drug cartels and infamous narcocorrido music