After months of public fighting through social media, Emiliano Aguilar, the eldest son of regional Mexican superstar Pepe Aguilar, has surprised fans by setting aside his family feud to release a powerful tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Antonio Aguilar. The 31-year-old artist, best known for his work in rap and hip-hop, made his debut in regional Mexican music with a new version of the iconic corrido Lamberto Quintero.
The song, written by Paulino Vargas and popularized by Antonio Aguilar in the 1970s, tells the story of a brave man from Sinaloa and became one of the most recognizable corridos in Mexican culture. Emiliano's modern take was recorded alongside the group Empolvados de la Banda, merging contemporary production with the traditional sound that defined his grandfather's legacy.
"I wanted to do this for my fans who asked me to pay homage to my roots," Emiliano said on social media after releasing the video on YouTube. "It's not about changing who I am musically, it's about remembering where I come from."
A Pause in a Family Rift
The release of Lamberto Quintero comes amid long-standing tension within the Aguilar dynasty. Emiliano has been open about his strained relationship with his father, Pepe Aguilar, and his younger siblings, Leonardo and Ángela Aguilar, both of whom have followed in their father's footsteps as successful performers. He has also openly beefed with brother-in-law Christian Nodal.
In interviews and on social media, Emiliano has accused his father of giving him less support and affection than his siblings, claiming that his success has come entirely from his own efforts rather than family connections. Last week, he publicly alleged that members of his family tried to prevent him from attending the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, a statement that reignited controversy within the famous clan.
Despite those personal conflicts, Emiliano's new project appears to mark a moment of reflection and reconciliation with his family's musical heritage. By revisiting "Lamberto Quintero," a song recorded by every generation of Aguilars, from Antonio to Pepe, Leonardo, and now Emiliano, he symbolically reconnects with the tradition that made his surname one of the most revered in Mexican music.
The Weight of a Musical Dynasty
The Aguilar family's influence in Mexican entertainment spans more than seven decades. Patriarch Antonio Aguilar, known as El Charro de México, was a singer, actor, and filmmaker whose music defined the golden age of ranchera and corrido. Alongside his wife, Flor Silvestre, he raised a family that became a pillar of regional Mexican culture.
Their son Pepe Aguilar carried that legacy into the modern era, blending mariachi and pop sounds and winning four Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammys. Pepe's children, Ángela and Leonardo, are now chart-topping artists representing the newest generation of the dynasty.
For Emiliano, choosing to honor his grandfather seems a clear personal statement. While he remains rooted in hip-hop, his heartfelt rendition of "Lamberto Quintero" suggests a desire to bridge the gap between past and present, family and independence.
"Regardless of what's happened," he told fans in a recent Instagram Live, "this song is for my abuelo. His legacy is part of me, whether people like it or not."
The release has received a wave of support from listeners who grew up with Antonio Aguilar's music and from younger fans who see Emiliano's gesture as a sign of maturity and respect. Whether this moment will lead to peace within the Aguilar family remains to be seen, but for now, Emiliano's voice joins three generations singing the same song of Mexican pride and resilience.
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