José María Napoleón was born August 18, 1948, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to parents of Sephardic and Basque descent. He moved to Mexico City in 1966 to pursue songwriting and launched his career at age 20 with the single "El Grillo" and his self-titled debut album in 1970. Napoleón rose to prominence as one of the originators of the balada movement in the 1970s, earning the nickname "El Poeta de la Canción" (The Poet of Song) for his emotionally introspective compositions. His musical style fuses traditional mariachi, rancheros, and boleros with orchestral arrangements and rock influences. Notable releases include "Pajarillo" and "Hombre" (1977), "Sin Tu Amor" (1979), and "Celos" (1980), his most recognized song. Over five decades, Napoleón has released more than two dozen albums across multiple labels including Musart, Ariola, Fonovisa, and Sony Music Latin. His compositions have been performed by artists including Vicente Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, and Plácido Domingo. Napoleon represented Mexico at the OTI Festival in 1977 with "Hombre," winning the national selection. His live performances are characterized by his powerful tenor voice and magnetic stage presence, drawing audiences across Latin America and the United States.