Fuerza Regida and Memo Ochoa swap starting-out stories at Latin Music Week
Fuerza Regida spent the hour answering questions on Oct. 20, with Mexican footballer Memo Ochoa leading a Superstar Q&A at Billboard Latin Music Week.
The session took place at the Faena Forum Main Stage in Miami Beach as part of the 2026 programme running Oct. 19-22. Billboard’s official schedule billed the slot as Ochoa interviewing the group, and the band’s frontman JOP did most of the talking for Fuerza Regida, according to Billboard.
Ochoa opened with his own start. He said he was born in Jalisco and moved to Mexico City at age 10. He started playing at 15 and began his career at Club América at age 18.
Some early coaches did not believe in him. Ochoa said he had to reinvent himself and stay resilient to keep his place.
JOP then gave his version. He said his father inspired him to sing. The first song he learned was ‘Sonora y sus Ojazos Negros’. He said he got his first hit at age 20.
Two paths. Same lesson about early breaks.
The talk then turned to the business side. JOP discussed Street Mob Records, his label. He said artists work differently, and neither a signing nor a viral song alone ensures success.
For fans in the room, the appeal was simple. One voice came from football, one from música mexicana, but both described long apprenticeships before the public knew their names.
The timing matters. Fuerza Regida arrived as a 12-time finalist at the Billboard Latin Music Awards. Peso Pluma leads this year’s finalists with 17 entries.
More honours were already confirmed. Cristian Castro will be honoured with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award. Fuerza Regida will receive the Billboard Vanguard Award. Rosalía will receive the Hall of Fame Award, and Rubén Blades will be honoured with the Billboard Icon Award.
The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live on Oct. 22 via Telemundo and Peacock from the James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami. Carmen Villalobos and Javier Poza will host.
Fuerza Regida will also headline the Billboard En Vivo showcase after the Oct. 20 Q&A, closing a busy day with music rather than talk.
