Rio Grande Valley artists shine with Grammy nominations

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  One band and two artists from the Rio Grande Valley were nominated on Friday for the 2026 Grammy Awards.

The Edinburg-based group Grupo Frontera and Edinburg singer-songwriter Bobby Pulido were nominated in the Best Musica Mexicana Album (Including Tejano) category, and McAllen songwriter Edgar Barrera was nominated in the Songwriter of the Year category.

Grupo Frontera was nominated for two albums, "Mala Mía" with Fuerza Regida and their EP "Y Lo Que Viene."

The album "Mala Mia" was popularized across social media platforms, especially TikTok, with a viral dance based on the song "ME JALO" that caught the bandmates' attention. The album caught the fans' attention due to previous collaborations with Fuerza Regida.

"Mala Mia" is a blend of corridos tumbados that changes to Tejano music throughout every song. The most viral songs from this album are "ME JALO" with more than 400 million streams on Spotify, followed by "COQUETA", with more than more than 300 million streams on Spotify.

Grupo Frontera's second nomination for the Best Musica Mexicana Album category is for their EP "Y Lo Que Viene" which features songs such as "No Se Parece A Ti" and "¿Qué Haces Por Aca? ft. Mister Chivo".

Both were filmed at the Alamo pulga on May 30.

The single gave a mix of electro synth 90’s and modern cumbia, creating a perfect blend for everyone to enjoy at quinceañeras and parties. Fans at the set were seen dancing and singing along to the new song.

Edinburg native, Tejano singer-songwriter, and congressional candidate Bobby Pulido was also nominated for the category of Best Musica Mexicana Album (Including Tejano) for his album "Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya Y Una Mía - Por La Puerta Grande (En Vivo)".

Pulido is an established Tejano artist who is known for his hits such as "Desvelado", "Se Murio De Amor," and "Le Pedire."

Pulido's LIVE 2 disc album features artists such as Alicia Villarreal, David Bisbal, Majo Aguilar, and others singing along to his songs on his tour.

^{Singer Bobby Pulido performs oonstage at Festival People en Espanol 2013, on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for People Espanol/AP Images)}

Bobby Pulido also features a song with his dad, Roberto Pulido, titled "Cuida Bien A Tu Mama-En Vivo", a sentimental performance where you can hear the crowd cheer.

The album captures the LIVE concert performances, making it feel as if you attended his tour.

McAllen songwriter Edgar Barrera, no stranger to the Grammys, has won 26 Latin Grammys and one Grammy Award.

This year, Barrera is nominated in the prestigious category of Best Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical.

^{ARCHIVO - Edgar Barrera posa en la sala de prensa con el premio a mejor canción regional por "Como lo hice yo" en la 23a entrega anual del Latin Grammy el 17 de noviembre de 2022, en Las Vegas. Barrera se presentará en los Latin Grammy el 16 de noviembre de 2023. (Foto AP/John Locher, archivo)}

Barrera has worked with superstar artists in the music industry such as Bad Bunny, Grupo Frontera, Karol G, Becky G, Maluma, Peso Pluma, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Christian Nodal, Shakira and many more.

Barrera continues to make popular hits that make an impact on the music industry; his most recent hits include "Por la familia" with Carin Leon and "Que Vuelvas" with Grupo Frontera ft. Carin Leon.

The 68th annual Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 1, 2026.