And the chona moves to the rhythm that Fortniteros play.
Starting Friday, Fortnite Festival players around the world will be able to hear La Chona's story as Los Tucanes de Tijuana's mega-hit “La Chona” is the latest track to make its way into the Fortnite universe.
Long a staple on dance floors, the 1995 song gained international fame thanks to its prevalence on social media and the general rise in Latino visibility. People from within And outside members of the culture embraced the track's playful nature and undeniably catchy melody – Metallica even joined in on the fun with Live cover 2024 single at a concert in Mexico City.
Similar to “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band,” “Fortnite Festival,” a spin-off of the popular online battle royale game Fortnite, is a rhythm game that requires players to hit notes at the right time to perform songs correctly as part of a virtual band.
Los Tucanes de Tijuana have long been a staple of the Mexican music scene on both sides of the border. In 2019 the group became first Norteño band to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.and played massive concerts at Dodger Stadium, New York's Central Park and Mexico City's Zocalo Plaza.
The group made headlines in 2010 when he was banned from playing in his hometown of Tijuana. as a result of a 2008 concert in which the band's lead singer, Mario Quintero Lara, sent greetings from the stage to the city's most famous and wanted men: “El Teo and his comrade El Muletas.”
“El Teo” refers to Tijuana drug cartel leader Teodoro García Simental, who was captured by authorities in 2012. “El Muletas” – which means “the crutches” in Spanish – was the nickname of Tijuana cartel leader Raidel Lopez Uriarte, who was captured in Mexico in 2010. The nickname refers to the trail of disabilities left by López Uriarte as a result of his brutal attacks.
The outcry infuriated the city's then-police chief, Julian Leizaola. He said the group's polka-style narcocorrido songs glorify drug lords and their exploits and were therefore inappropriate to play in a border city that has long been plagued by drug-related violence.
“La Chona” is just the latest playable song available as part of Season 11 of the “Fortnite Festival,” which, unlike previous versions, features songs from multiple artists rather than just one artist. Other artists featured in the latest season include Blackpink's Jennie, Doja Cat, Simple Plan, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Tyler the Creator, Slipknot and Olivia Rodrigo. Previous seasons of the game have revolved around the music of Billie Eilish, Karol G, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga.
The Fortnite franchise first entered the world of music in 2019 when DJ Marshmello performed a virtual concert in Fortnite Battle Royale. It is estimated that the concert was watched by more than 10.7 million people.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fortnite metaverse has become a haven for artists looking to connect with audiences. Travis Scott performed in front of over 12.3 million players in April 2020 and Ariana Grande played inside the game in August 2021. Other artists who have rocked the “Fornite” scene include Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Juice Wrld, Metallica and Ice Spice.
