Gabriella Flores: Meet Lubbock’s Emerging New Voice in Tejano Music

The Tejano industry is getting to know a new voice from West Texas.

Gabriella Flores, a 2026 Texas Tech University graduate from Lubbock, is beginning the next chapter of her musical journey with a combination of experience, family tradition and a determination to establish herself as an artist in her own right.

Flores recently joined Chismosa and Cucuy on Magic 106.5 FM’s Magic Mornings in Lubbock to introduce herself to listeners, talk about her musical upbringing, and discuss her latest release, “Me Tienes Asi,” a collaboration with AJ Castillo that marks one of the biggest steps yet in her emerging career.

For Flores, however, the journey toward becoming a recording artist began long before the new single.

A Musician From the Beginning

Born and raised in Lubbock, Flores grew up surrounded by music. Her father, Armando “Sonny” Flores, is a longtime musician and vocalist, and his influence became one of the primary reasons she developed a passion for Tejano music.

“I always looked up to his music, and I loved his music and his demos,” Flores told Magic Mornings. “And that’s honestly why I wanted to do it.”

Her musical education began at just six years old when she started taking singing lessons through Caldwell Kids Entertainment. What began as childhood lessons eventually became a major part of her life. After turning 18, Flores returned to Caldwell Kids Entertainment as an instructor, passing along some of what she had learned to another generation of young performers.

She credits those years with helping her become more confident as a vocalist.

“I think having more confidence with my singing,” Flores said when asked what she took away from the experience.

The lessons were not always easy. Flores recalled being hard on herself when she struggled, but eventually recognized that the challenges were helping her become a better singer.

“After that, I was like, it was worth it,” she said.

That mindset continues to shape her approach to music.

“You can always better yourself,” Flores said. “I continue to want to get better.”

From Mariachi Mi Tierra to the Tejano Stage

Flores has already spent several years building valuable performance experience. Since 2022, she has been performing with Mariachi Mi Tierra, becoming familiar to audiences throughout Lubbock and West Texas. That experience has also helped introduce Flores to people who may not have otherwise known her.

“I’ll be somewhere random, and somebody will know me from the mariachi, or they know that I sing,” she said. “So, it’s kind of crazy.”

Her work with Mariachi Mi Tierra has given her a strong foundation in live performance while also connecting her to the musical traditions she grew up around. But now, Flores is beginning to step beyond the mariachi ensemble and establish her own identity as a recording artist.

AJ Castillo Hears Something Special

That transition took a major step forward with “Me Tienes Asi,” her new collaboration with AJ Castillo. The pairing began after Flores and Castillo met at an after-party the previous year. They connected, Castillo followed her on Instagram, and eventually heard videos of Flores singing.

One performance in particular caught his attention: her cover of Bruno Mars‘ “Risk It All.”

“He really liked the sound of my voice,” Flores explained.

Castillo eventually contacted her about appearing on an upcoming single. Flores was still attending Texas Tech at the time, which meant balancing school and music. But shortly after graduating, she traveled to San Marcos to record the collaboration at Castillo’s Redwood Sound Studios. The studio experience introduced her to another side of performing.

“I really love the putting it together process,” she said. “Usually in the studio, it’s completely different from live singing.”

Rather than approaching the recording as simply another performance, Flores embraced the opportunity to learn from Castillo and the production team.

“I like to be pushed a little bit,” she said. “I want to hear their vision.”

That willingness to be challenged became an important part of the recording process.

“Everybody needs to be pushed,” Flores added.

For an emerging artist, the collaboration with Castillo provides more than a new song—it gives Flores an opportunity to introduce her voice to listeners outside her established mariachi audience.

Building Her Own Musical Identity

“Me Tienes Asi” is not Flores’ first recording experience.

She also appears on “Fue Un Placer Conocerte” with El Gallo Dez, a collaboration that came together after Flores performed a cover of the Shelly Lares song “Te Felicito” at the Cactus Theater. Her mother posted the performance, and the recording caught the attention of Lares, who invited Flores to participate in the debut project for El Gallo Dez. The collaboration also featured Mariachi Mi Tierra, allowing Flores to bring together her work as a mariachi performer and emerging recording artist.

Flores has also released the pop song “Burn Me With Your Love,” giving audiences another glimpse into the range of styles she is exploring as she develops her sound.

Rather than immediately locking herself into one musical lane, Flores is using these early releases to discover what feels authentic to her. “We’re kind of seeing what I want to do with my career,” she said.

Inspired by Selena, Rooted in Family

Flores’ musical influences reach across generations. She remembers singing “Las Mañanitas” as one of her earliest songs, while Selena‘s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” was the first song she performed at a recital. Selena remained an important inspiration throughout her childhood, and Flores still performs “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” today.

But when it comes to her decision to pursue Tejano music, she points back to her father. Her upbringing gave her a direct connection to the genre, while her experiences with mariachi and other musical styles have allowed her to develop a broader perspective. That family connection is also evident when she performs alongside her father. Flores and Sonny have performed “Sangre Mi Cuerpo,” an emotional father-daughter song that has become a special moment in their live performances.

Asked about watching his daughter begin her own musical journey, Sonny Flores offered a simple but powerful response. “I’m just so proud of her,” he said. “I’m just very happy.”

A New Artist With a Degree in Marketing

Flores’ decision to pursue music comes at an interesting moment in her life. She recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Marketing, giving her an education that could become an important tool as she develops her career. The transition from college to the professional world can be uncertain, but Flores said she felt fortunate that opportunities began arriving around the same time she graduated.

“I was very blessed with the timing,” she said.

Her marketing education also gives her an advantage as an independent artist navigating an industry where musicians increasingly have to understand branding, promotion, and social media. Flores said she knew she could use her degree to promote herself, work with other artists or remain involved in the music business in another capacity.

“I love music. And so, that’s what I wanted to do,” she said.

Now, she is putting that education to work on her own career.

West Texas Has a New Voice to Watch

Flores’ emergence also highlights the depth of talent coming out of Lubbock and West Texas. During the Magic 106.5 interview, Chismosa and Cucuy pointed out that the region is home to talented musicians across Tejano, mariachi, and Texas country.

Flores represents a new generation of artists who are growing their careers from outside the traditional Texas music centers while using digital platforms, social media, and collaborations to reach new audiences. Her hometown support has already been significant, and her appearance on Magic Mornings provided an opportunity to introduce Flores beyond those who have seen her perform with Mariachi Mi Tierra.

More Music Is Coming

Flores isn’t stopping with “Me Tienes Asi.” During the interview, she revealed that another original song is scheduled for release in September. She wasn’t ready to reveal the title, keeping the details under wraps while promising that more information would come later.

For now, “Me Tienes Asi” serves as an introduction to an artist who is still discovering exactly where her music will take her. But the foundation is already there: years of vocal training, live experience, mariachi roots, a strong family musical tradition, a marketing degree, and a willingness to learn from every opportunity. Flores understands that she is only beginning.

“I want to thank everybody for really supporting this song,” she said. “This has meant the world to me, and the support is overwhelming, and I’m so blessed.”

With the support of her family, her hometown. and an expanding circle of established artists, Gabriella Flores is ready for the Tejano industry to learn her name.

Her story is just beginning—and “Me Tienes Asi” is the latest chapter.

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