José Madero

José Madero, widely known as Pepe Madero, is a Mexican singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer, best recognized as the frontman and leader of the influential Mexican rock band Panda (PXNDX), which he has fronted since the mid-1990s. Panda became one of the defining acts of the Mexican rock en español scene in the 2000s, known for blending emo, pop-punk, and alternative rock with theatrical, narrative-driven lyrics.

Beyond his work with Panda, Madero has pursued a solo career and other side projects, exploring a broader range of sounds that move between rock, pop, and more electronic or experimental textures while retaining his distinctive lyrical voice — often literary, melancholic, and steeped in vivid imagery. His solo material, including songs like «La Petite Mort» and «Lamentable», shows a songwriter comfortable departing from the band format to pursue more personal or stylistically varied output.

As a writer, Madero has also published literary work, reflecting the same narrative sensibility present in his songwriting. His influence on a generation of Spanish-language rock musicians is significant, particularly among fans who grew up with Panda's blend of confessional lyrics and dramatic musical arrangements, cementing him as one of the more literary and idiosyncratic voices in Mexican rock.