Enigma Norteño Singer Ernesto Barajas Slain After Writting and Performing Narcocorridos Requested by Cartel Leaders

The murder of Ernesto Barajas, creator and vocal leader of the Mexican band Enigma Norteño, in the Mexican town of Zapopan has, once again, highlighted the dangerous relationship between drug cartels and música regional.

Barajas made Enigma Norteño into a musical force since its founding in 2004, was known for his narcocorridos. Among them are "Also Me llamo Ismael," "El Señor Iván," and "Los Lujos del R." His song ' El Chapo Guzmán ' focuses on the figure of the well-known leader of the Sinaloa cartel.

Barajas had explained how many of these songs had been made at the request of the drug traffickers themselves.

In an interview with the Univision program "Sientese Quién Pueda" in the United States, Barajas recalled the group's beginnings and recounted how they began writing corridos dedicated to certain prominent figures in organized crime in Mexico.

"It all started when, for example, we were at someone's wedding and they told us, 'This guy wants his own song too,'" recalled Barajas, who is also the producer of Enigma Norteño and the creator of many of their songs. Although he didn't specify who was at those parties, a look at the band's songs makes it clear to whom they are dedicated.

"Once I finish the corrido, I send it, and if they say it's okay, it's recorded and distributed. There shouldn't be any problems because it already has authorization and they're asking for it," he said in a 2022 interview with The Independent in Spanish. At the time, he stated that he charged $25,000 per song, but the figure has more than doubled.

During his conversation with Univision, Barajas revealed that the amount has now risen to $60,000. That's well above inflation!.

The investigation into Ernesto Barajas' murder

While authorities in the Mexican state of Jalisco investigate the murder of Ernesto Barajas in a parking lot in Zapopan, fans of Enigma Norteño have dedicated themselves to remembering the songs that made the band one of the most successful in regional Mexican music.

According to Mexican press reports, Barajas had previously received death threats, which had prompted him to move from his native Culiacán, Sinaloa, to the more populous city of Guadalajara, where he led a more discreet life.

Although it's unknown what Barajas was doing there, it is known that it was a long-term parking lot, where vehicles can be left for weeks or months. In addition to the artist, a young man under 25 was also killed in the attack, and an 18-year-old girl was injured.

The Jalisco Attorney General's Office investigation points to an organized crime operation. Barajas, who built

Threats against Ernesto Barajas's life

Due to the content of their lyrics, Enigma Norteño had faced censorship on various platforms and restrictions on live performances. Authorities have occasionally banned the performance of narcocorridos at public events, arguing that they promote violence and crime. The band had expressed that they feel bad when fans ask them to sing their narcocorridos, but they are unable to do so due to these restrictions.

They also faced fears of death threats if they show up at a specific location, which have appeared in different parts of Mexico, although Barajas remained practical: "We'll just suspend them."

Sadly, this time the threats came true.

Originally published on Latin Times