Proyecto X

Formed in Salinas, California, in 2012 by five friends, Proyecto X took shape as an alternative norteño quintet with Carlos Zamora on bajo sexto and first voice, Johnny Espino on drums, Eduardo Batres on tuba, Eliodoro Vallecillo on accordion and vocals, and Fabian Rodriguez supplying second voice along with animation; the lineup also lists management representative Raul Avalos as a non-performing member. Less than a year later their YouTube videos, consistently packed live shows, saturated social media presence, and sharp commercial instincts landed a deal with Fonovisa. The 2013 debut Con Pawer produced the singles “Mi Angelita Mi Diablita” and “La Beastia,” both of which reached the Top 30 on the Mexican Regional Songs chart. The 2014 album Con Más Pawer likewise sent “5 Letras” into that same tier while the project itself entered the Top 40; its follow-up single “Eres Tu” peaked at number three, additionally finishing inside the Top 25 on Hot Latin Songs and the Top Ten on Latin Airplay. Touring filled the rest of 2014 and most of 2015 before the musicians returned to the studio in early 2016. That fall they released the title track of Y al Final Quede Sin as a pre-release single, followed by “Qué Buen Fiestón.” Although the singles themselves made limited impact, the videos climbed high on streaming charts, and the November album launch propelled it to number eight on Hot Latin Albums and number three on Regional Mexican albums.