Bruno Mars' Mariachi Collaborators Bring Authenticity to 'Risk It All' Video

Los Angeles-based Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara featured in the music video for Mars' new single.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Bruno Mars' highly anticipated fourth solo studio album 'The Romantic' features a mariachi-infused track called 'Risk It All.' The music video for the song stars the Los Angeles-based Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara, who were hired to perform the song live on camera. The band's leader, Joel Jacques, says they quickly memorized the exact musical notes by ear to ensure an authentic performance, surprising even Mars himself.

Why it matters

The inclusion of a traditional Mexican mariachi band in Bruno Mars' music video helps bring cultural authenticity to the romantic Latin-inspired track. It also highlights the rich history and global recognition of mariachi music as an intangible cultural heritage.

The details

Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara, led by Joel Jacques, was hired to appear in the 'Risk It All' music video. Though they were initially asked to just pretend to play the instruments, the band quickly memorized the song by ear and performed it live, impressing Mars. Jacques says the band takes pride in upholding the tradition and dignity of mariachi music, which is why they were eager to authentically recreate the song.

  • The music video for 'Risk It All' was released a day before Bruno Mars' album 'The Romantic' debuted on Friday.
  • Mariachi music was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.

The players

Bruno Mars

A 16-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter who released his highly anticipated fourth solo studio album 'The Romantic' on Friday.

Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara

A Los Angeles-based mariachi band with roots in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the birthplace and capital of mariachi music.

Joel Jacques

The bandleader of Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara, who played the guitarrón (acoustic bass guitar) in the 'Risk It All' music video.

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What they’re saying

“Many artists don't get real musicians. So when you see a music video, you can often see that people don't play the real notes, but if you look, [we do].”

— Joel Jacques, Bandleader, Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara (Los Angeles Times)

“He's Puerto Rican, we're Mexican. All Latin Americans have this beautiful romanticism and emotion that we transmit through our music.”

— Joel Jacques, Bandleader, Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara plans to continue performing and promoting the rich cultural heritage of mariachi music in Los Angeles and beyond.

The takeaway

The collaboration between Bruno Mars and the authentic mariachi group Mariachi Los Criollos de Guadalajara showcases the global appeal and recognition of traditional Mexican music, helping to further elevate this intangible cultural heritage.