Maná is First Spanish-language Rock Band Nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Legendary Mexican group Maná is one of the most iconic and well-known Latin American rock bands of all time. Known for classics like “Mariposa Traicionera,” “Oye Mi Amor,”and  “Labios Compartidos,” Maná has established itself as one of the most renowned groups of Rock en Español with fans across generations spanning their decades-long career. Now, Maná has been nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making history as the first Spanish-language band to be included. On Wednesday, February 12, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced this year’s 14 nominees including Maná who are in contention to join the Rock Hall’s Class of 2025. While Latin artists like Santana, Joan Baez, Ritchie Valens, and Linda Ronstadt have been inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the past, Maná is not only the first group nominated that sings in all Spanish, but also the first band formed in Latin America. Composed of vocalist José Fernando “Fher” Olvera, bassist Juan Calleros, drummer Alex González and guitarist Sergio Vallín, Maná was formed in 1986 in Guadalajara, Mexico and is one of the most successful Latin American rock bands of all time.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the legendary band reminisced on their journey and 30-year career and expressed their excitement and gratitude: “We are 4 cuates that grew up in Mexico listening to rock & roll… We dreamed of sharing our own music with the world. We wanted to share the sound and spirit of Mexico and Latin America. To be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is something that’s almost impossible to imagine. We’re very grateful for this honor.”

Additionally, the Grammy Award-winning band took the opportunity to show their support for Latin American migrants: “We want to share this recognition with all Latinos everywhere, especially the immigrants who are suffering right now. Don’t lose faith or hope. Our people always find a way. Maná loves you. We’ll always be by your side.”

The legendary group has advocated for our community throughout its career, encouraging Latinxs to vote against Donald Trump in 2015 after his infamous comments about Mexicans being “rapists” and launching a “Latino Power Tour” in 2016 to mobilize Latinx voters. Additionally, the band removed a song it recorded with reggaetonero Nicky Jam after he endorsed Trump last year, saying that there’s “no business or promotion that is worth more than the dignity of our people.”

Maná previously made history in December of 2019 during their Rayando El Sol tour when they played seven shows at the Forum in Los Angeles, beating six-night records held by Kanye West and The Eagles. With this, the group became the first artist to perform seven shows in one year at the Forum since its reopening in 2014.

Maná first debuted on the Billboard charts in 1994 with Dónde Jugarán los Niños after it peaked at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart, and their 1997 album Sueños Liquidos landed the No. 1 spot on the chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Performance in 1999. Since then, Maná has won three more Grammy Awards, 9 Latin Grammy Awards, and 23 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The iconic group is also the Latin rock group with the most leaders on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and holds the title for the Latin rock band with the most entries on Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay – with 33 and 36 total entries, respectively. They are considered the best-selling Latin American Rock band of all time with around 40 million records sold worldwide.

This year’s induction class for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will be selected by an international voting body of 12,000 musicians, music insiders, and historians, and fans can vote in an online poll that can influence the final list of inductees.