Carín León

Óscar Armando Díaz de León Huez, known professionally as Carín León, (born 26 July 1989) is a Mexican singer-songwriter who specializes in regional Mexican music. He has recorded songs in several of its subgenres, as well as incorporated influence from other musical genres.

Career

León began playing the guitar at the age of 15. His first band was Los Reales, before founding Grupo Arranke with four friends in 2010. The group gained traction with their song "A Través del Vaso". He was a member of Grupo Arranke for seven years, until starting a solo career in 2018. His career took off with his solo version of "A Través del Vaso". His other songs "Me La Avente" and "Tú", a cover of the 1999 song by Noelia, both charted on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, and Regional Mexican Airplay charts. In 2021, he also released a cover of "More Than Words" by Extreme and later a version of "Moscas en la Casa" by Shakira, which was part of his album Pistiembre Todo El Año.

During the global shutdown of major venues and concert halls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, León pivoted into podcasts, alternative radio and emerging platforms for greater distribution. This was also in large part thanks to the dramatic overall increase in interest in regional Mexican music globally, as noted by Spotify. León appeared on NPR's 'Tiny Desk' on September 19, 2022.

León won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Song in 2022 for the song "Como lo Hice Yo" alongside Édgar Barrera and Matisse. In 2022, he was the third most streamed Mexican artist on Spotify.

His single "Que Vuelvas" with Grupo Frontera was number one for six weeks on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart in 2023. León won his second Latin Grammy in 2023; this time for the Best Norteño Album with his third studio album, Colmillo de Leche.

On February 23, 2024, León made his debut performance in one of country music's most prestigious venues, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 14, 2024, León debuted at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California during its first weekend. Six days later, he was presented with the key to the City of Coachella by the city council. The next day, León again performed at the Coachella Festival during its second weekend. On April 26, León debuted at Coachella's country music-themed sister festival, Stagecoach. On October 4, 2024, León made his debut at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park. The following day, he debuted on Austin City Limits at the Moody Center. León received his third Latin Grammy in 2024; this time for the Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album with his fourth studio album, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Said album also won the Grammy Award for Best Música Mexicana Album in 2025.

On February 26, 2025, León debuted at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile, where he received the Silver and Golden Gaviota awards. On March 9, 2025, León made his debut at Rodeo Houston, where he performed in front of 70,603 fans. On May 16, 2025, León appeared on NPR's 'Tiny Desk' for a second time. León received his fourth Latin Grammy in 2025; winning Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album for the second year in a row, this time with his album Palabra de To's (Seca). Said album also won the Grammy Award for Best Música Mexicana Album in 2026.

On March 14-15, 2026, León launched La Cura Fest, his own annual music festival in his hometown of Hermosillo, Sonora. In addition to León performing both nights as the headliner, the festival featured several artists of genres that have influenced León, such as regional Mexican, country, folk, soul, rock, and pop.

On March 20, 2026, León in collaboration with American country artist Jelly Roll, released the song "Lighter", the first single from the official album of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track was produced by Canadian record producer Cirkut, in the process bringing together an individual from each of the three host countries of the tournament.

On March 27, 2026, León in collaboration with entrepreneur Sebastián Chacón Flores and grill master José Ángel Figueroa, opened his own restaurant in Hermosillo, "El Coyote del Norte", which specializes in gourmet tacos.

Personal life

León was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, to Óscar Díaz de León and Carmen Julia Huez. He has a girlfriend and two children.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

• Desvelada con Banda y Mariachi (En Vivo) (2018)
• A Puro Pelo (100 % En Vivo) (2018)
• Pa' las de Vidrio (En Vivo) (2018)
• Amanecida con Todo y con Todos (2018)
• Borrachera con Taka Takas (2020)
• Encerrados Pero Enfiestados (Live Vol. 1) (2020)
• Encerrados Pero Enfiestados (Live Vol. 2) (2020)
• Borrachera con Los Honorables (2020)
• Pistiembre Todo El Año (En Vivo) (2021)
• Cura Local (En Vivo) (2022)
• U.V.V. Vol. 8 (En Vivo) (2023)
• Palabra de To's (2024)
• Palabra de To's (Seca) (2025) – Special edition of Palabra de To's with four new studio tracks
• Chapayeka (En Vivo) (2025)
• Chapayeka (Puro Chucky) (2025)

EPs

• Colmillo de Leche Live Sessions (En Vivo) (2023)
• Carín León (Live at NPR's Tiny Desk) (2025)

Singles

Charting singles

Awards and nominations

Notes

External links

• at IMDb
• discography at Discogs
• at AllMusic
• on SoundCloud
• at Billboard.com