Corridos emerged in the north of Mexico in the early 1800s and have since become a key component in the DNA of Mexican music, with a popularity that knows no borders. Like other Latin folk-ballad styles, they combine unforgettable melodies with real-life narratives—vivid storytelling that spans tragic love affairs and epic tales of characters who forged their destiny in and outside of the law. Here, we’ve handpicked a selection of corridos that have left a mark throughout the decades. This playlist is updated frequently; if you hear something you like, add it to your library.