Ivan Cornejo

Iván Cornejo is an American singer-songwriter in the regional Mexican genre who is known for his signature moody lyrics and sad sierreño tunes.

Born in Riverside, California, the young Iván endured a breakup in middle school that provided inspiration for songwriting. Determined to express his emotions, Iván embarked on a self-taught guitar odyssey via YouTube tutorials. The first song he learned was Ritchie Valens' version of "La Bamba." By 14, Iván was jamming with older friends, their praise fueling his passion for music.

At 15, Cornejo took his talents to TikTok, posting requinto (a small five-string guitar) instrumentals of his favorite artists' songs. These videos amassed millions of views, catching the eye of Andres Garcia, the president of Houston's Manzana Records. Garcia saw not just a talented musician, but a promising songwriter as well.