Óscar Armando Díaz de León Huez (born 26 July 1989), known professionally as Carín León, is a Mexican singer-songwriter who specializes in regional Mexican music. He has recorded songs in several of its subgenres, as well as incorporated influence from other musical genres.
Career León began playing the guitar at age 15. His first band was Los Reales before founding Grupo Arranke with four friends in 2010. The group gained traction with their song "A Través del Vaso". He was a member of Grupo Arranke for seven years until starting a solo career in 2018. His career took off with his solo version of "A Través del Vaso". His other songs "Me La Avente" and "Tú", a cover of the 1999 song by Noelia, both charted on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, and Regional Mexican Airplay charts. In 2021, he also released a cover of "More Than Words" by Extreme and later a version of "Moscas en la Casa" by Shakira, which was part of his album Pistiembre Todo El Año.
During the global shutdown of major venues and concert halls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, León pivoted into podcasts, alternative radio, and emerging platforms for greater distribution. This was also in large part thanks to the dramatic overall increase in interest in regional Mexican music globally, as noted by Spotify. León appeared on NPR's 'Tiny Desk' on September 19, 2022.
León won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Song in 2022 for the song "Como lo Hice Yo" alongside Édgar Barrera and Matisse. In 2022, he was the third most streamed Mexican artist on Spotify.
His single "Que Vuelvas" with Grupo Frontera was number one for six weeks on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart in 2023. León won his second Latin Grammy in 2023; this time for the Best Norteño Album with his third studio album, Colmillo de Leche.
On February 23, 2024, León made his debut performance in one of country music's most prestigious venues, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 14, 2024, León debuted at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California during its first weekend. Six days later, he was presented with the key to the City of Coachella by the city council. The next day, León again performed at the Coachella Festival during its second weekend. On April 26, León debuted at Coachella's country music-themed sister festival, Stagecoach. On October 4, 2024, León made his debut at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park. The following day, he debuted on Austin City Limits at the Moody Center. León received his third Latin Grammy in 2024; this time for the Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album with his fourth studio album, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Said album also won the Grammy Award for Best Música Mexicana Album in 2025.
On February 26, 2025, León debuted at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile, where he received the Silver and Golden Gaviota awards. On March 9, 2025, León made his debut at Rodeo Houston, where he performed in front of 70,603 fans. On May 16, 2025, León appeared on NPR's 'Tiny Desk' for a second time. León received his fourth Latin Grammy in 2025; winning Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album for the second year in a row, this time with his album Palabra de To's (Seca). Said album also won the Grammy Award for Best Música Mexicana Album in 2026.
On February 6, 2026, León released a single and a music video, "Love to Be Loved", in collaboration with Mexican rock band The Warning. This song is his first one entirely in English.
On March 14-15, 2026, León launched La Cura Fest, his own annual music festival in his hometown of Hermosillo, Sonora. In addition to León performing both nights as the headliner, the festival featured several artists of genres that have influenced León, such as regional Mexican, country, folk, soul, rock, and pop.
On March 20, 2026, León in collaboration with American country artist Jelly Roll, released the song "Lighter", the first single from the official album of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track was produced by Canadian record producer Cirkut, in the process bringing together an individual from each of the three host countries of the tournament.
On March 25, 2026, León in collaboration with entrepreneur Sebastián Chacón Flores and grill master José Ángel Figueroa, opened his own restaurant in Hermosillo, "El Coyote del Norte", which specializes in gourmet tacos.
León became the first regional Mexican artist to headline a concert at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 20, 2026 and to headline the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan on August 14-15. On September 4, he - as the first Latin artist - performed at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and shared the stage with The Warning during the song "Love to Be Loved".
Personal life León was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, to Óscar Díaz de León and Carmen Julia Huez. He has a girlfriend and two children.
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications US USLatin USReg.Mex. El Malo Released: August 1, 2019 Format: Digital download, streaming Label: Tamarindo Rekordsz — — — Inédito Released: May 7, 2021 Format: Digital download, streaming Label: Tamarindo Rekordsz — — — Colmillo de Leche Released: May 18, 2023 Format: Digital download, streaming, LP Label: Socios Music 184 8 5RIAA: 6× Platinum (Latin) Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 Released: May 30, 2024 Format: Digital download, streaming, LP, CD Label: Socios Music 169 8 5RIAA: 4× Platinum (Latin) Muda Released: May 7, 2026 Format: Digital download, streaming, LP, CD Label: Socios Music
Live albums Desvelada con Banda y Mariachi (En Vivo) (2018) A Puro Pelo (100 % En Vivo) (2018) Pa' las de Vidrio (En Vivo) (2018) Amanecida con Todo y con Todos (2018) Borrachera con Taka Takas (2020) Encerrados Pero Enfiestados (Live Vol. 1) (2020) Encerrados Pero Enfiestados (Live Vol. 2) (2020) Borrachera con Los Honorables (2020) Pistiembre Todo El Año (En Vivo) (2021) Cura Local (En Vivo) (2022) U.V.V. Vol. 8 (En Vivo) (2023) Palabra de To's (2024) Palabra de To's (Seca) (2025) – Special edition of Palabra de To's with four new studio tracks Chapayeka (En Vivo) (2025) Chapayeka (Puro Chucky) (2025)
EPs Colmillo de Leche Live Sessions (En Vivo) (2023) Carín León (Live at NPR's Tiny Desk) (2025)
Singles Charting singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions, and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album MEX US WW "El Toxico" 2021 22 — — — "No Es Por Aca" 2022 21 — — — Colmillo de Leche "Que Vuelvas" 2 — 50 34 El Comienzo "La Primera Cita" 2023 2 — 97 28 Colmillo de Leche "Según Quién" 5 — 68 17 Don Juan "Love to Be Loved" 2026 — 8 — — "Lighter (The Official FIFA World Cup 26 Song)" – — – – FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Awards and nominations + List of awards and nominations received by Carín León Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result ASCAP Latin Awards2021"Me La Aventé"Winning Songs2022"El Tóxico" (with Grupo Firme)2024"Según Quién" (with Maluma)Billboard Latin Music Awards2022HimselfRegional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo"El Tóxico" (with Grupo Firme)Regional Mexican Song of the Year2023HimselfRegional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo"Que Vuelvas" (with Grupo Frontera)Regional Mexican Song of the Year2024HimselfRegional Mexican Artist of the Year, SoloGrammy Awards2025Boca Chueca, Vol. 1Best Música Mexicana Album2026Palabra de To's (Seca)Best Música Mexicana AlbumiHeartRadio Music Awards2024HimselfRegional Mexican Artist of the Year"Indispensable"Regional Mexican Song of the Year"Que Vuelvas" (with Grupo Frontera)2025"Alch Si" (with Grupo Frontera)2026HimselfRegional Mexican Artist of the YearLatin American Music Awards2021HimselfFavorite Regional Mexican Artist2022"El Tóxico" (with Grupo Firme)Collaboration of the YearFavorite Regional Mexican Song2023HimselfFavorite Regional Mexican Artist"Que Vuelvas" (with Grupo Frontera)Collaboration of the YearBest Collaboration - Regional Mexican"Con un Botecito a Pecho" (with Adriel Favela)"La Boda del Huitlacoche (Live)"Favorite Regional Mexican Song2024HimselfArtist of the YearFavorite Regional Mexican Artist"Según Quién" (with Maluma)Song of the YearCollaboration of the YearColmillo de LecheAlbum of the YearFavorite Regional Mexican Album"Indispensable"Favorite Regional Mexican SongLatin Grammy Awards2022"Como lo Hice Yo" (with Matisse)Best Regional Mexican Song2023Colmillo de LecheBest Norteño Album2024 Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 Album of the Year Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album "Una Vida Pasada" Record of the Year "Te Lo Agradezco" Song of the Year "Según Quién" 2025 Palabra de To's (Seca) Album of the Year Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album "Si Tú Me Vieras" Best Regional Mexican Song LOS40 Music Awards2023HimselfBest Latin Act"Ni Me Debes Ni Te Debo" (with Camilo)Best Latin CollaborationPremios Juventud2020HimselfThe New Regional Mexican Generation2021"Tú"Viral Track of the Year2022InéditoRegional Mexican Album of the Year"Como lo Hice Yo" (with Matisse)Best Regional Mexican Fusion2023HimselfMale Artist of the YouthMale Artist on the RiseMy Favorite Streaming Artist"Que Vuelvas" (with Grupo Frontera)Best Song for My ExBest Regional Mexican Collaboration"No Es Por Acá"Best Regional Mexican Song"Llorar y Llorar" (with Mau y Ricky)Best Regional Mexican Fusion2024HimselfMale Artist of the Youth"Ni Me Debes Ni Te Debo" (with Camilo)The Perfect Mix"Según Quién" (with Maluma)Best Regional Mexican Fusion"Indispensable"Best Regional Mexican Song"Alch Si" (with Grupo Frontera)Best Regional Mexican CollaborationColmillo de LecheBest Regional Mexican Album2025HimselfPremios Juventud Artist of the Year"El Amor de Mi Herida"Best Música Mexicana SongBoca Chueca, Vol. 1Best Música Mexicana Album2026HimselfPremios Juventud Male Artist "Me Está Doliendo" (with Alejandro Fernández)My Favorite TrackPalabra de To's (Seca)Album of the Year"We Made It Look Easy / Hicimos Que Pereciera Fácil" (with Bon Jovi)OMG Collaboration "A Medio Vivir" (with Ricky Martin)The Perfect CollabDe Sonora, Para El MundoBest Tour "Vivir Sin Aire" (with Maná)Best Pop/Rock Song"Déjame Dormir" (with Codiciado)Best Mexican Music FusionPalabra de To's (Seca)Best Mexican Music Album
Notes
References
External links
Carín León at Billboard.com