Los Tigres Del Norte Tackle Controversial Subjects, From Immigration Reform to Gay Rights

*The Tigres’ “Era Differente” is the first gay love song written by a norteño group. VL

By Pablo Chacon Alvarez, OC Weekly

There is very little that Mexican norteño band Los Tigres del Norte haven’t done. With over 30 million records sold, the ensemble has earned six Grammy Awards, six Latin Grammys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Active since 1968, Los Tigres Del Norte have released over 20 albums, with the most recent one, Realidades, coming out in October 2014.

From the very beginning, lead vocalist and accordion player Jorge Hernandez has been the group’s creative director. The Weekly spoke with Hernandez (in Spanish — all direct quotes have been translated) about the band’s new album, their ongoing U.S. tour and the song “Era Diferente,” which recently earned Los Tigres Del Norte a Special Recognition Award at the 26th annual GLAAD Media Awards. The track, a cut off of Realidades, tells the story of a lesbian teenager who falls in love with her best friend.

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