Singer Who Glorified Drug Lords Shot Dead in Mexico
A popular Mexican singer, Ernesto Barajas, has been shot dead in the city of Zapopan, Jalisco, in an attack that has once again highlighted the dangers facing performers of the controversial narco-corrido genre.
Barajas, frontman of the group Enigma Norteño, was gunned down in a parking lot when two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire.
Another man was killed in the incident, while a woman sustained injuries.
Barajas was widely known for his music, which celebrated and glorified drug lords, particularly through songs referencing figures such as Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and the sons of jailed drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known as Los Chapitos. With over four million monthly listeners on Spotify, his songs had gained massive popularity, but they also drew controversy due to their explicit links to cartel culture.
Narco-corridos, the genre to which Barajas dedicated much of his career, have long divided Mexican society. While many fans see the songs as cultural storytelling and a form of musical expression, critics argue that they romanticize violence, drug trafficking, and the criminal lifestyle. The genre is so contentious that in several Mexican states, performances of narco-corridos have been banned, and radio stations often avoid playing them.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive for the killing, but many believe it reflects the risks associated with glorifying cartel figures in music. In the past, artists in the same genre have faced threats, censorship, and even violent retaliation, as cartels sometimes sponsor songs in their honor or react violently to perceived slights in lyrics.
Barajas’ death is the latest reminder of the perilous intersection between Mexico’s booming music scene and its ongoing drug violence. His killing has shocked fans across Latin America and among the Mexican diaspora, who had made Enigma Norteño one of the most streamed regional bands online.
As investigations continue, his murder underscores the broader dangers of narco-cultura in Mexico, where entertainment and organized crime often intertwine, leaving artists caught in the crossfire.
