Sarah Palafox, an African American woman who sings regional Mexican music, poses in Moreno Valley, Calif., in this undated photo.
Palafox, an African American woman raised by a Mexican immigrant family, has generated excitement online with her versions of regional Mexican music.
Other videos of her singing banda — another form of regional music from Mexico’s southwest coast — also have been shared thousands of times.
She would only say the music will be different and she’s not listening to critics who tell her she’s shouldn’t be singing regional Mexican music.
“I was told you can’t wear braids, you can’t wear your Afro and go on stage and sing Mexican music,” Palafox said.