Phoenix-based band comes up with Mexican-style ‘corrido’ for the Suns

PHOENIX — A Phoenix native is combining two of his seemingly different passions: the Phoenix Suns and regional Mexican music.

Emanuel Coria is a longtime fan of the city’s NBA squad. That’s why when the Suns asked him and his 16-member Banda La Alterada to come up with a song about the team, he jumped at the opportunity.

Coria, who plays the tuba, and the band’s lead vocalist wrote the lyrics for the song called “Este año es el nuestro” — “This is Our Year” in English.

“It talks a little bit about the players, about the coach and about how we’re going to win this year,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The song, also known as a corrido, mentions the team’s long-awaited run to the playoffs and how the championship is now within reach.

It also refers to Chris Paul as el comandante — commander — and calls Devin Booker, who is of Mexican descent, legendario — legendary.

Coria explained that a member of the Suns’ marketing team reached out to the band in April, asking if they could come up with a song.

Once the team approved it, they gave each band member Booker jerseys to record the music video, which has been viewed more than 30,000 times on YouTube.

“They let us actually record the video in the bowl of Phoenix Suns Arena,” he said.

The band also performed the song during a virtual concert at a game to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Coria said reaction from fans has been positive. He added even some of the band members who weren’t Suns fans before have started following the team’s success.

But for Coria, the entire experience has extra meaning. He said it brings back memories of his dad.

“Every April we would go to the games,” he said. “So this makes me very happy. It makes me think a lot about him, and it’s something special.”

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