By Justino Aguila, Los Angeles

Erick Rincon's life changed dramatically this year when he went from a revered DJ in Mexico to a label artist composing dance music in the relatively new genre, "tribal guarachero."

Walking the red carpet Thursday night at the Billboard Mexican Music Awards, Rincon, 17, was thrilled to be attending the awards show and performing with his crew, 3Ball MTY, including DJ friends Sergio Zavala (Sheeqo Beat) and Albert Presenda (DJ Otto). The trio signed a record deal in June with Latin Power Music, the Monterrey-based independent label, and recently with Fonovisa.

"I just called my dad from the red carpet," said Rincon as he finished a marathon of press interviews. "I feel fortunate being here here tonight with all these artists."

3 Ball MTY at Billboard Mexican Music Awards red carpet. Photo by Arnold Turner

Producer Toy Selectah, who is producing 3Ball MTY's first album, also attended the awards show.

"We finished the album last week," Selectah said. "Their music is very real and it started on the streets. I want people to know that this these guys and the music they produce is really the future of Mexican music."

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Rincon's tribal guarachero got noticed earlier this year when Vice Media's VBS.tv, producers of documentary-style videos, posted a clip on YouTube about tribal artists in Matehuala, a farming town in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The video showcased performers in the skinny jeans and pointy boots that have been associated with the music. The video has more than 1.6 million views since it was posted April 1 on YouTube.

The awards show closed with Rincon and his DJ pals performing "Intentalo"/"Try", which was co-written and mixed by Rincon and recorded by Latin Power Music artists El Bebeto and America Sierra.