La Mafia formed in Houston, Texas in 1980, founded by vocalist Oscar De La Rosa and accordionist Armando Lichtenberger Jr. The band helped popularize Tejano music during its emergence, blending accordion-driven traditional sounds with synthesizers and modern production elements. They became the first Tejano artist to achieve platinum sales with their 1991 album "Estas Tocando Fuego," which eventually received triple platinum certification. La Mafia has earned two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, with total album sales exceeding 10 million copies. The group expanded Tejano's reach by touring Mexico and Latin America in the late 1980s, opening pathways for subsequent artists in the genre. Known for live performances featuring accordion, guitar, drums, and percussion, La Mafia continues performing after more than 45 years in the music industry.