Los Cuates De Sinaloa

Young as they are, los Cuates de Sinaloa have already begun to revitalize regional Mexican music in the U.S. Two young cousins, Gabriel and Nano Berrelleza, crossed into the U.S. when they were just 14 years old, landing in Phoenix, Ariz. The cousins struggled to find work until friends pitched in and bought them a cell phone; pretty soon they were working the quinceanera circuit, playing parties and ultimately finding a manager who helped them self-produce six albums before they signed to Sony Norte. The duo's stark and unadorned mountain music, known as sierreno, provides marked contrast to much of the regional music scene, featuring only two acoustic guitars and a bass. Los Cuates have drawn comparisons to the young los Tigres del Norte for their frank depictions of corruption and drugs -- making some afraid for their safety.