While mastering the clarinet, Tapia was reluctant to showcase his talents. But after coaxing from friends and family, he began performing at various dancehalls and receptions. At 17, he made his professional debut in Tijuana, Mexico alongside el Lobito de Sinaloa.

In 2001, Tapia began assembling musicians for his debut album. Mixing touches of hip-hop and electronica, it appeared on Sony in August 2002. Although he toured throughout Mexico, the United States, and Latin America, he didn't record much until 2008 brought Los Amigos del M on Machete Music. Several releases followed on Fonovisa, including 2009's El Nino de la Tuna, 2010's La Batalla, and two releases in 2011, El Corrido del Niño and a live album. Tapia's success grew gradually but steadily, thanks in part to the lasting power of narcocorridos like "El Nino de la Tuna," which detailed the life of Chapo Guzman.

Tapia finally struck gold in 2012 with El Muchacho. "Mirando al Cielo" topped the Regional Mexican chart on Billboard, and the album became his first to hit number one on Billboard's Latin Albums chart; it also reached the pop albums chart. ~ Jason MacNeil