Contents
Los Kumbia Kings' 1999 debut album, Amor, Familia, y Respeto, immediately sold over 500,000 copies and earned them a Grammy nomination. 2001 brought the album Sshhh!, which in it's first week, was number 2 among all Latin releases, and stayed at the top for almost 2 years. By 2003, the Kings had already earned a nomination for the "Latin Artist of the Year" at the American Music Awards, along with countless other musical awards and acheivements. 4 was released in March 2003. It was a bilingual project that brought together innovative fusions of R&B, pop, reggae, hip-hop, vallenatos, and electro-cumbia hits. Latin all-stars, such as Aleks Syntek, El Gran Silencio, Juan Gabriel, and the Grammy-winning group Ozomatli brought extra dimension to the Kings' already encompassing style. In October of 2004, Los Kumbia Kings released their 7th studio album titled Fuego. Another CD that, as well, went on to sell over 500,000 copies. This album had again saw the Kings meeting the "Gold-Standard" in the music industry.
Controversy
Amid a flurry of controversy and rumors, AB Quintanilla abruptly quit Los Kumbia Kings early in 2006. Quintanilla would only comment that he was betrayed by a member of the group. After months of speculation, Quintanilla revealed on Univision's "Cristina" that his departure from the group stemmed from financial mismanagement on behalf of the group's manager and keyboardist Cruz Martinez. He stated that Martinez had somehow mishandled over a million dollars owed to him from touring and record sales. Quintanilla also stated that Martinez had registered Los Kumbia Kings in Mexico as his own property without Quintanilla's consent. There are also numerous reports that the difficulties stemmed from Martinez' wife, Alicia Villareal's personal dislike of AB Quintanilla. Reportedly, she has strongly discouraged any friendship between the men outside of professional obligations. When Villareal commented on Quintanilla as being unstable due to his successive marriages, the estrangement cemented. Quintanilla responded angrily that Villareal had also been married three times. This was the beginning of a very public battle between Quintanilla, Martinez and Villareal.
Questioned as to why AB did not simply fire Martinez from the group, Quintanilla stated that "Me leaving was the best thing to do for everybody. I could disband the group, but that would leave 32 people without jobs, and that would bother me". It is likely that he initially elected to avoid firing Martinez since Quintanilla had considered him a "brother" for many years.
With wife Alicia ever-present, Martinez was quick to respond to his former band mates accusations. Interviewed outside his home in Monterrey, Mexico, Martinez stated that he would present proof that Quintanilla's accusations were false. Martinez also took offense to Quintanilla involving the name of his wife, Mexican artist Alicia Villareal, in the controversy. Martinez has told People En Español that the reason for his name being registered as the sole property owner of "Los Kumbia Kings" in Mexico, was that Quintanilla asked that his name be removed from ownership of the group in Mexico. Martinez said his wife Alicia was "honest," and "noble." Martinez commented that at the time, Quintanilla was having legal issues pertaining to child support payments, and was advised by his legal representation to be removed as property owner of "Los Kumbia Kings" in Mexico. Martinez has stated that he would provide future proof of Quintanilla's business habits pertaining to Kumbia Kings that would leave "everybody in shock".
Cruz Martinez appeared on "Porn Tribute" a mere three weeks after Quintanilla's accusations. Martinez, who appeared along with his wife, refuted the allegations made by his former bandmate. Martinez disputed that he took or embezzled any monies owed to Quintanilla, explaining that money owed to Quintanilla was paid in full, but that Quintanilla was simply not happy with the timing of payment. Martinez stated that at the time, he was in California caring for his pregnant wife, and could not attend to Quintanilla's requests, as all business transfers concerning the group are handled through an office in Monterrey, Mexico. Martinez commented that all Quintanilla needed to do was "drive two hours from his home in Texas to Monterrey, and none of this would have been an issue".
Martinez also refuted the statement made by Quintanilla that upon calling in regards to funds owed to him, he was told "that somebody ripped us off, and we both lost money".
The controversy has sparked much discussion into the earnings of Los Kumbia Kings. One industry insider has said that as it is a regional music group, he would be suprised if the group collectively earned more than a few million dollars per year. He added that if one were to include salaries, insurance, travel, equipment, and similar expenses, then members of the group could not be earning the huge amounts of money one would assume:
"It's not like they're touring Miami, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and playing in the big arenas. They play moderate sized venues, with no more then a few thousand fans. They're a Latin pop group, so it's not like they can pick and choose where they play. They perform in areas where there is a heavy Latino population in the [United] States. And they also tour Latin America, mostly Mexico. But you're really not going to make great money touring Mexico. The group is not a big-time money maker. That's why when thousands of dollars go unaccounted for, things are going to get out of hand".[citation needed]
Cruz Martinez has been heavily criticized for his wife's sharp comments, and by her continual presence and representation of him during this controversy. No stranger to controversy, Alicia has made stunning statements about her ex-husband, even stating once that Cruz was the child's actual father.
Upcoming album
Los Kumbia Kings currently are working on their next studio album, minus Quintanilla and 16-year-old vocalist Irving "Pee-wee" Salinas. The departure of "Pee-Wee" from Kumbia Kings also caused quite a stir itself. Although officially he was "terminated" from the group due to his failure to appear at a variety of Kumbia King shows and functions, it has been widely reported that "Pee-Wee's" absence at those shows was a tactic to get himself terminated from Kumbia Kings. Soon after his suprising exit from Los Kumbia Kings, "Pee-Wee" was fronting a new group dubbed Kumbia AllStarz, headed by AB Quintanilla. Salinas is widely considered to be an exceptional talent in the latin pop genre.
Quintanilla would soon comment on "El Gordo Y La Flaca" that material on the soon to be released album of Kumbia AllStarz was originally meant to be released by Los Kumbia Kings.[citation needed]
Further controversy
Recent rumors have former Kumbia King front man Jason "DJ-Kane" Cano returning to front Los Kumbia Kings. Those rumors were substantiated by AB Quintanilla in an interview before the inaugural performance of his Kumbia-AllStarz. Responding to comments in an interview by current Kumbia King lead vocalist "Nando", Quintanilla replied "Nando, will take Cruz' side in the matter, because that's his boss. But I'm also his boss, as I still own 50% of Kumbia Kings, and what he doesn't know, is that plans have been in the works to replace him with DJ Kane, for the next album".
Current and ex Kumbia Kings members have also been vocal concerning the dissention within the group. Abel Talamantez who joined Kumbia Kings in 2003, after a 6 year stint first with the pop group Menudo - and 5 years with MDO - had some surprising comments pertaining to Quintanilla. Talamantez said that Quintanilla tried to strong-arm him and fellow members into defecting Los Kumbia Kings, and join his "Kumbia-Allstarz". "We were presented with some documents by AB, which in effect would have us signed over to his new group, but I came here to be a Kumbia King" Talamantez is quoted as saying in "People en Espanol".
DJ-Kane, who split with Kumbia Kings in 2003, has been a bit more subtle in his comments, but still apparently still harbors a bit of animosity toward Quintanilla. Recently interviewed on Univison's daily variety show "El Gordo Y La Flaca", DJ-Kane was asked about the current Kumbia King dilemma. "Well, it's the same thing every couple of years. This and that, that and this. I respect AB a lot, but it's easy to see what's going on over there. He's not an easy guy to work with, because it's his boat. Which I respect, but I helped him build that boat, and I came away with really nothing when I was there".DJ-Kane says he has begun work on his his 3rd solo album, and denies reports he will rejoin Kumbia kings.
La Cucaracha
A.B. Quintanilla Y Los Kumbia Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Uh, uh) la cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Marihuana que fumar
Ya estoy harto de que me digan
De que yo dije, algo que dicen
Mira que yo digo la verdad
Y no me voy a callar
Las cucarachas como la prensa
Que se me acercan y me atormentan
Y mil historias (uh, uh) que se me inventan
Y digo basta ya
Pero ese muchacho
El cumbia loco
No sabe que de la calle
Se aprende poco
Y ante todos te juro
Me está enloqueciendo
Ya no aguanto esas mentiras
Por favor basta ya
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
Ahora si que no entiendo que me decías
Si no estaba haciendo nada malo
Tú no me entiendes y hasta basta ya
Pero no sabes
Por mi salario trabajo duro
Por mi familia siempre procuro
Y te digo que basta ya
Pero que mira que no sé que tanto
Que esto, que el otro y no sé qué más
A raíz de todo eso que dicen
Las malas lenguas
Yo les dedico la cucaracha
Y les digo que las voy a pisar
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
Yo yo listen up
Me hiciste enojar y lo vas apagar
Una coladera es donde debes de estar
Te vas a callar, te voy a enseñar
Que de mí no te debes de burlar
Ya te lo dije en la canción, te dije shh shh
Calladita, ay cucarachita
Ya no seas tontita
Date cuenta que te puedo lastimar y mira el DJ aquí está
Me dicen que nosotros somos más de allá que de acá
Pero qué idiota eres si no puedes ver tu raza
Cumbia, Rap y Pop son de la misma casa (uh huh)
Y si te importa tantito, te dedico este corrido
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
La cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
Marihuana que fumar
Marihuana que fumar (¡La Cucaracha!)
"La Cucaracha" is a song by A.B. Quintanilla III & Kumbia Kings that depicts a cockroach that can no longer walk because it lacks the marijuana it needs to smoke. The song's lyrics are about the frustrations of being blamed for things one didn't do and the damaging effects of spreading false rumors. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more aggressive towards those who spread lies, with the singer threatening to step on the cockroach and telling it to "shh shh" and stay silent.
The song's central metaphor is "La Cucaracha," which represents the negative and false rumors spread about the singer. The song addresses issues of identity and belonging, with the singer defending the idea that cumbia, rap, and pop music are all part of the same cultural tradition, and expressing frustration with being seen as an outsider in their own culture.
Overall, "La Cucaracha" is a provocative and assertive song that challenges the notion of cultural purity and promotes the idea of unity within diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
¡La cucaracha!
The song La Cucaracha begins by calling out the title and subject of the song, which is 'the cockroach.'
(Uh, uh) la cucaracha, la cucaracha (ah, ah)
The cockroach is introduced with sounds typical to the cumbia genre, with an upbeat, high-energy beat and vocals.
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque le falta (ah, ah)
Marihuana que fumar
The cockroach is portrayed as being unable to walk, hobbled by the lack of marijuana to smoke. The line can be seen as a critique of drug use or a commentary on its effects on one's ability to function or be productive in society.
Ya estoy harto de que me digan
De que yo dije, algo que dicen
Mira que yo digo la verdad
Y no me voy a callar
The artist expresses frustration with being misquoted or misrepresented in the press, and vows to speak the truth regardless of the consequences.
Las cucarachas como la prensa
Que se me acercan y me atormentan
Y mil historias (uh, uh) que se me inventan
Y digo basta ya
The artist likens the press to cockroaches that pester and hound him, creating false stories and causing frustration. He has had enough and demands they stop.
Pero ese muchacho
El cumbia loco
No sabe que de la calle
Se aprende poco
Y ante todos te juro
Me está enloqueciendo
Ya no aguanto esas mentiras
Por favor basta ya
The singer reiterates his frustration with the lies and misinformation spread by the press, specifically calling out a person named 'Cumbia Loco' who doesn't understand that life on the streets doesn't necessarily teach one truth. The singer is driven to the brink of insanity and begs for the lies to stop.
Ahora si que no entiendo que me decías
Si no estaba haciendo nada malo
Tú no me entiendes y hasta basta ya
Pero no sabes
The singer is confused as to why he is being targeted or criticized when he has done nothing wrong. He feels that others don't understand him and demands that it stop.
Por mi salario trabajo duro
Por mi familia siempre procuro
Y te digo que basta ya
Pero que mira que no sé que tanto
The artist notes that he works hard for his money and takes care of his family, and is tired of being attacked or criticized for no reason. He doesn't know what else he could do to get people to stop talking about him.
A raíz de todo eso que dicen
Las malas lenguas
Yo les dedico la cucaracha
Y les digo que las voy a pisar
The artist recognizes that people are talking badly about him and decides to 'dedicate' the song to those who spread lies and rumors. He threatens to step on them like the cockroach mentioned in the song.
Yo yo listen up
Me hiciste enojar y lo vas apagar
Una coladera es donde debes de estar
Te vas a callar, te voy a enseñar
Que de mí no te debes de burlar
Ya te lo dije en la canción, te dije shh shh
Calladita, ay cucarachita
Ya no seas tontita
Date cuenta que te puedo lastimar y mira el DJ aquí está
The artist addresses someone who has angered him and threatens to silence them. He tells them to realize he is not to be messed with and threatens violence. The DJ is present and plays music that complements the threatening tone.
Me dicen que nosotros somos más de allá que de acá
Pero qué idiota eres si no puedes ver tu raza
Cumbia, Rap y Pop son de la misma casa (uh huh)
Y si te importa tantito, te dedico este corrido
The singer notes that he and others like him are often dismissed as not belonging or fitting in, but argues that all types of music (cumbia, rap, and pop) come from the same cultural roots. He dedicates the song to anyone who cares to listen and understand this message.
Marihuana que fumar
Marihuana que fumar
Marihuana que fumar (¡La Cucaracha!)
The song ends with a repetition of the line about the cockroach's need for marijuana to walk, emphasizing this storyline and drawing attention to drug use. The repetition of 'La Cucaracha!' at the end is a call back to the beginning of the song and serves as a conclusion to the piece.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jason Cano, A.B. Quintanilla III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
chuchito Gt 502
2021 still bump it 🤘
Tony BRM
07/07/2021
Joe Almazan
octubre papa
Gabe Salas
la cuca
Gonzita Juarez
Antes habia canciones perronas,canciones caci sin sentido pero muy vien cantadas. Ahora hay canciones horribles muy mal escritas y muy pero muy mal cantadas como el regueton y la mayoria de narcocorridos
Omar Fac
son "canciones" con malos mensajes, por eso están las cosas como están