Narcocorridos are a popular subgenre of Mexican ballads that paint raw and enthralling narratives about the drug trafficking underworld. In recent months, they have stirred fascination and dispute. Originating during Prohibition in the 1920s, these songs initially chronicled the exploits of those smuggling illicit alcohol from Mexico to the United States. Today, they still boast of bad men, misfits and dreamers, inspired by centuries-old traditions of American folk music dating back to the 19th century. As the genre matures, it continues to come under a legal microscope, leading to dangerous precedents and unjust censorship that go far beyond music and art.
The genealogical roots of narcocorridos are tied to that of early corridos. These folk songs of the streets and countryside glorified the outlaws, flashy generals and yes even cockfighters. The mid-1980s was a turning point for the genre. Chalino Sanchez’s music was deeply in tune with the drug trade during this period. Nicknamed the ‘King of Corridos,’ Sanchez took payment from various traffickers to write ballads celebrating their lives. He saw his career end tragically after being gunned down post-concert in Sinaloa in 1992. This unsolved murder, as gruesome as it likely was, only adds to the mystique surrounding narcocorridos.
Just a few months ago, Los Alegres del Barranco raised a similar uproar by playing a narcocorrido dedicated to El Mencho. This past wicked leader is in charge of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The now-famous performance in fact drew the ire of US and Mexican officials, resulting in serious repercussions for the band.
Government Response to Narcocorridos
Following their incendiary performance, Los Alegres del Barranco were heavily penalized. At one point, the US State Department cancelled their ability to tour in the United States. This created an incredibly important precedent. This was the first time a Mexican musical group was penalized for the lyrical content of their music.
On the international scene, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum came out strongly on the topic. She cautioned that Los Alegres del Barranco may have broken laws themselves by glorifying criminal figures through their music. The Jalisco prosecutor’s office has promised to make further inquiries. Officialdom is alarmed by the growing power of narcocorridos.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed similar sentiments, stating, “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.” This response highlights a nationwide push by law enforcement to censor art forms that could allegedly promote crime and violence.
Even so, after Los Alegres del Barranco’s performance a wave of enthusiasm swept over the group. As a result of the backlash, they received more than two million additional streams on streaming platforms. Specifically, it indicates that debate actually created more interest rather than eliminating it.
Cultural Phenomenon or Incitement to Violence?
As the ongoing debate over narcocorridos illustrates, these songs can have greatly positive or negative effects on society. Other critics contend that the crime-tinged songs do little on their own to incite violent or criminal behavior. Ray Mancias, a musician in the genre, likened narcocorridos to the western movies and TV shows produced by Hollywood during the golden age of that genre—
“People say, ‘Oh, parents, don’t let your kid play Call of Duty, or your kid’s gonna grow up to be a shooter!’” – Ray Mancias
Mancias argued that the effect of music is minor compared to that of parental control when it comes to raising a child to behave properly.
“I think that’s the way they’re seeing (narcocorridos) as well. They think if all these kids keep listening to it, that they’re going to get influenced by it and they’re going to start doing it. But at the end of the day, the way you grow up is your parents. No music is going to change that.” – Ray Mancias
As experts such as Elijah Wald point out, this is a key detail. Instead, they claim that these anti-narcocorrido efforts prioritize political goals over public safety interests. He added that the culture is incomprehensible to most of those enforcing such actions.
“They’ve been saved up to now by the fact that nobody spoke Spanish,” – Elijah Wald
Wald argued against the idea that restricting music could solve the root causes of crime and violence.
“The revoking of visas obviously has very little to do with the songs. It has to do with a politics of revoking visas.” – Elijah Wald
The Future of Narcocorridos
Even through the pushback and scrutiny from government officials, narcocorridos are an important aspect of today’s Mexican culture. They tap into the narratives and emotions of society that connect to millions of listeners. Artists in this genre are getting more and more stifled. They’re scared of retribution and they’re scared of losing their jobs and being blacklisted from touring.
Proponents of such bans insist that these efforts only increase the appeal of narcocorridos and make criminals out of their fans. As Violet Uresti stated,
“I like the vibe. I like the way it brings people together. If they ban it, we’re still gonna listen to it.”
This common feeling reflects a larger national de-fund-fascism cultural attitude, that art should not be held to politicians’ moral standards. As Emmanuel Gonzalez discussed on the panel, these restrictions deepen any sense of isolation that such communities may already feel.
“With everything going on with (Trump), as a Mexican, cancelling corridos makes us feel more ‘less.’” – Emmanuel Gonzalez
As narcocorridos grow and change, they deeply capture the culture of drugs in Mexico, while providing insight into larger societal structures at play. Critics contend that the genre has gone too far astray. Rather than lionize the underdog, it now romanticizes powerful mobsters or cartel leaders who engage in crime.
“The corrido used to be about a simple man going up against power, knowing he was doomed, knowing he was going to die and fighting anyway,” – Quinones
Quinones further lamented how narcocorridos have changed over time.
“It became corrupted, in my opinion, when it became in praise of power, in praise of these bloodthirsty men with enormous power who killed wantonly.” – Quinones
