Maná

With their smooth fusion of reggae, '80s rock and Latin rhythms, Maná transcended Mexico's local scene to become one of the most renowned and celebrated Latin bands in the world. They happened to be in the right place at the right time, but their creativity had plenty to do with it as well. Formed in Guadalajara—originally known as Sombrero Verde—and led by Fher Olvera, the quartet broke through in 1987, right when record labels sought to capitalise on the emerging rock en español movement. On the strength of 1992's ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?, Maná became one of the pillars of Mexican pop-rock. By the end of the '90s, the band had demonstrated that they were much more than a passing trend. In 1999, the Carlos Santana collaboration “Corazón Espinado” and the iconic MTV Unplugged: Maná (Live) session revealed a new musical direction that pushed the boundaries of what Latin rock could sound like at the time. This eclectic bent became the band's most distinctive quality, informing its sound over the following decades. That became especially clear in 2015 with Cama Incendiada, which drew on cumbia, merengue, bachata and other tropical styles. The band's success kept growing, thanks to their ability to reinvent themselves—often through collaborations. 2025's Noche De Cantina, for example, compiled tracks recorded with Carín León, Christian Nodal, Sebastián Yatra, and more contemporary names.