La Mafia

Award winning Houston-based Latino band La Mafia are largely responsible for the resurgence of the "norteño sound," which has some basis in country and western music. Founded by Oscar and Leonard Gonzalez, both of whom were raised in the north end of Houston, La Mafia released their eponymous debut album in 1986 for Sony. Extensive touring of the U.S. and Mexico brought them world renown. Their second album, Estas Tocando Fuego, came out in 1991 and sold nearly one million copies, and their 1993 album, Ahora y Siempre, went triple platinum. Similar success was met with the group's subsequent records.