Saxboy Billy18 writes songs and sings them about places around the world. His new Mexico City opus shuns the tourist attractions in favor of rooftop laundry and sky-high transportation.

The restaurant we ended up at was not our first choice, but there we were. We were still in Mexico City. I was hungry but not wanting anything spicy. I ordered the chicken consommé. After hours ...

MEXICO CITY — One winner sang a ballad fusing mariachi and hip-hop. Another belted out a song she wrote about a missed opportunity with a crush. A third wooed voters with a booming ode to Mexico.

MEXICO CITY — Alex Moreno stepped into the spotlight, a half-dozen mariachis in silver and black sombreros behind him, and brought the microphone to his lips. “We don’t want to sing anymore about your ...