Rubén Albarrán

Known for his magnetic stage presence and numerous alter egos, Rubén Isaac Albarrán Ortega (February 1, 1967) reached international fame as the frontman of Mexican alternative rock band Café Tacvba. Born in the State of Mexico, he grew up in a musical household in the suburbs of the capital. After playing in several high school bands, he formed Café Tacvba with Joselo Rangel in 1987, after the two met while studying design at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. With the group, Rubén Albarrán released a collection of wildly eclectic, seminal albums that pushed the boundaries of Latin rock, including Re (1994), Revés/Yo Soy (1999), and Cuatro Caminos (2003), the latter of which won Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album at the 2004 Grammy Awards. In 2006, celebrating the arrival of his second child, Rubén Albarrán and his wife released the album Bienvenido al Sueño under the name Sizu Yantra and Psikini. The following years found the singer actively collaborating with artists such as Calle 13, Lila Downs, Julieta Venegas, and Mexican cumbia band Los Socios del Ritmo, with whom he recorded a newer version of their classic track “Felicidad” in 2021, reaching Number 28 on the Mexico Popular Airplay chart.