The meteoric rise of Sonoran singer/songwriter Luis R. Conriquez began in 2017, following the sudden loss of a close friend; he metabolized his grief into song on the impassioned funereal corrido “Se Fue El Piolas,” which became a hit upon its 2019 release. In the intervening years, Conriquez honed his skills writing songs for regional peers, perfecting his mix of introspection with cowboy swagger while developing an appetite for the stage. “Me Me Metí En El Ruedo” and “De Aquí Paya” showcase the hitmaker's solemn inner world, and his collaborative spirit has attracted stars such as Gerardo Ortiz for “El Pelo Chino” and Natanael Cano for a buzzy remake of “El Búho.”