AJ Castillo returns to his Tejano roots with new ranchera duet featuring rising talent Gabriella Flores

AJ Castillo is taking fans in a different musical direction with the release of his latest single, “Me Tienes Así,” an original Tejano ranchera featuring emerging vocalist and musician Gabriella Flores.

Available now on all major digital streaming platforms, the collaboration marks a departure from the Austin native’s signature high-energy cumbias, instead embracing a traditional Tejano ranchera style that pays tribute to the music that first inspired his career.

Speaking with Tejano Nation Radio host Romeo, Castillo said the song represents a return to his musical roots while introducing what he believes is one of the genre’s brightest new voices.

“Yeah, the brand new single was released, Me Tienes Así featuring a brand new artist, Gabriella Flores. She’s out of Lubbock, Texas. She just recently graduated from Texas Tech. I met her a year ago. She sang for me. We were at an after party, and her and her family were doing karaoke. Incredible singers, incredible vocalist. And man, I just fell in love with her sound.

“I was working on a Tejano song at the time, and I felt like this girl… I’m proud of her. She just graduated college. She’s doing great. She has a great family. I wanted to see what I could do to work together to come up with a song to boost her up, to bring her into the Tejano industry. So that’s what we did, and this is the song, Me Tienes Así, and I really believe she’s next.”

A new voice rooted in tradition

Flores is an emerging vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist from Lubbock, Texas, whose lifelong passion for music began at home. Inspired by her father, a mariachi and Tejano singer, she grew up surrounded by live music and spent years developing her voice through performances. Today, she proudly performs alongside her family with Mariachi Mi Tierra, continuing a musical tradition that has shaped her artistry.

A recent 2026 graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Marketing, Flores combines her musical foundation with an understanding of today’s music industry as she launches her career as an independent artist. Her journey has been guided by authentic storytelling, strong family values, and a desire to celebrate her Latino heritage through music.

Now beginning an exciting new chapter, Flores hopes to make a meaningful impact by honoring her roots while bringing her own style and perspective to every performance. As she continues to grow as an artist, she is dedicated to creating music that resonates with audiences, celebrates her culture, and contributes to the future of Tejano music.

Her traditional background made her an ideal fit for Castillo’s vision of creating a song that embraces the classic Tejano sound.

A song that almost became a cumbia

The song is also the latest collaboration between Castillo and songwriter Luis Angel Gonzalez of Monterrey, Mexico. The pair previously co-wrote Castillo’s recent hit single with Los Morales, “Abre Abre.”

Castillo revealed that Me Tienes Así almost had a completely different sound.

“I originally recorded this song as a cumbia. And I might release the cumbia as well. I’m not sure if I’m gonna release it or not, but I loved it as a cumbia. But then once I started making it into a ranchera, I actually liked it a little bit more, and then I put Gabriela on it, and I really like it. I hope people like it too.”

For longtime fans, the release offers a fresh perspective on Castillo’s artistry while highlighting his desire to preserve and promote traditional Tejano music.

Known as one of the genre’s most dynamic performers, Castillo has built a career blending Tejano and cumbia with modern urban influences. Introduced to the accordion by his grandfather, he began playing at age 10 and launched his professional career by age 13. Today, he performs alongside his younger brother, Sergio Castillo, who serves as a vocalist in the band.

A graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio, Castillo was named Best New Male Artist at the 2010 Tejano Music Awards following the success of his 2009 debut album, Who I Am. His 2014 release, Sin Límites, debuted at No. 15 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart, helping establish him as one of the leading figures in modern Tejano music.

With Me Tienes Así, Castillo not only revisits the traditional sound that shaped him but also shines a spotlight on a promising new artist he believes is ready to make her mark.

Whether the previously recorded cumbia version eventually sees the light of day remains to be seen, but for now, Castillo hopes fans embrace the heartfelt ranchera and the introduction of Gabriella Flores to the Tejano music scene.

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