Latest news with #Conriquez
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Odes to Mexican Drug Lords Are Pop Hits, but the Law Is Turning Against Them
Luis R. Conriquez took the stage at a popular fair in Texcoco, Mexico, as one of the headlining acts. Once called the 'Corridos King' by Billboard magazine, the Mexican musician is renowned for his specialty of so-called narcocorridos, a version of the traditional Mexican ballads that celebrate drug cartels. But hours before performing earlier this month, Mr. Conriquez announced on social media that he wasn't going to perform several of his signature songs. Instead, he was joining a movement sweeping across Mexico to phase out this prominent genre of music, which its critics argue promotes the violence and criminal activity that have ravaged the country. The crowd booed Mr. Conriquez and trashed the instruments after he and his band left the stage. 'It feels bad not being able to sing what people want to hear,' Mr. Conriquez said on social media, 'but we join the cause of zero corridos.' It was a pivotal moment for Mexico, which is wrestling with both the effects of organized crime across the country, particularly amid pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on cartels, and its identity as defined through popular culture. In particular, the fierce debate over narcocorridos — which opponents say glorify cartels and thus the harm they have inflicted on Mexicans — has become a referendum on free speech in Mexico. Over the past month, more and more municipalities and states have virtually banned the genre, making it a crime to play music that celebrates the drug trade and other crimes. In Mexico state, where Mr. Conriquez was to perform, authorities had warned that performing songs that provoked or glorified criminal activities could result in fines and jail time. 'We believe that society has to start rejecting content that advocates for violence, drugs or misogyny,' Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said after Mr. Conriquez's concert. Corridos have been around since the middle of the 19th century, according to José Manuel Valenzuela Arce, a sociology professor and author of three books on the genre. The songs became important to storytelling, recounting tales of war heroes like 'Pancho' Villa and key moments in history. But as drug cartels began taking a firmer grip on Mexico in the 1970s, the ballads began to reflect this as well, Mr. Valenzuela Arce said. In recent decades, he said, as past administrations waged bloody wars against cartels, the lyrics became more explicit and more directly about famous narco leaders, like Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. More narcocorrido styles also surfaced, such as corridos tumbados, which combine singing, rapping and traditional Mexican music. 'The tumbado movement emerged, riding on social media, and the artists no longer needed a production industry,' Mr. Valenzuela Arce said. Artists like Natanael Cano (who drew a record 310,00 people to a concert in Mexico last year), Peso Pluma (who received 8.5 billion views on YouTube in 2023) and others have since become mainstream international stars. Still, in recent months, the industry has felt a strengthening backlash against narcocorridos. Experts believe this latest crackdown is the strongest yet because Ms. Sheinbaum has publicly positioned herself against the genre. Earlier this month, she announced a government-run national talent contest, offering record deals as top prizes for corridos free of drug-related and violent lyrics. 'What we want is to promote music with other content,' said Ms. Sheinbaum, who has also rejected flat-out narcocorrido bans. Another factor, experts said, is the United States government. Mr. Valenzuela Arce said the Trump administration has not only labeled cartels terrorist groups, and thus made any association with them a more serious crime, but it has essentially pressured Mexican officials to act while also scaring musicians. The Times reached out to the representatives of at least nine major artists and none commented. Last month, the band Los Alegres del Barranco had their U.S. visas pulled when the face of a top cartel leader was displayed onstage while the group performed in Guadalajara, Mexico. In a state recently traumatized by cartel violence, the group apologized and legislators moved to penalize all public expressions that incite crimes, including at nightclubs. 'I'm a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn't mean that expression should be free of consequences,' Christopher Landau, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, said on X on April 1. He added later, 'The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists." Arturo Ávila, a Mexican congressman pushing for stricter federal laws on incitement to encompass music, TV, movies and video games 'glorifying' crime or 'promoting violence against women,' hailed the U.S. government's visa revocations as 'the strongest action' and 'the most effective' against artists. 'It's a time for us all to reflect on what kind of Mexico we want,' he said. Since February, at least seven cities or states have either effectively banned or introduced regulations for narcocorridos. In Chihuahua, one of the first cities in Mexico to regulate violent lyrics in 2015, Mayor Marco Bonilla said in an interview that the laws have worked. The local government collected $270,000 in fines last year. 'As long as we don't eradicate narco-culture in Mexico, we won't be able to eradicate the violence and crime in our country,' Mr. Bonilla said. After his concert earlier this month, Mr. Conriquez said that he will tweak his lyrics to be less explicit and adapt his set list based on local bans. He begins a U.S. tour later this week. The artist declined requests for comment. Other musicians have followed suit: Grupo Firme, a well-known group, announced last week before a concert in Aguascalientes state, where the government banned songs inciting violence the day before, that it would not play its narcocorridos anymore. Jesús Eulogio Sosa, who founded the Mexican regional music band Los Buitres de Culiacán Sinaloa, which has several well-known narcocorridos, said in an interview that he knew of other musicians who have had their U.S. visas denied since Los Alegres del Barranco had theirs pulled. Mr. Sosa said he has watched 'with sadness' as this movement against the genre has unfolded across Mexico 'because it affects us all.' Corridos, he said, have long been an important part of Mexican culture because they have told stories about key figures without always glorifying the crimes. 'Prohibition isn't the answer,' Mr. Sosa said, adding that he favored some regulation, perhaps on the internet to shield younger audiences from certain lyrics. 'The solution is education. You wanting to become a drug dealer for listening to a corrido is like saying that if you go see the 'Avengers,' you're going to want to leave the movies as a superhero.' His band faced censorship in Tijuana as far back as 15 years ago and slowly began singing more romantic songs, he said, rather than narco-themed ones. He admitted that now, though, as a father, he wouldn't have recorded the band's biggest hit, a 2010 narcocorrido dedicated to a now-deceased Sinaloa Cartel leader. On a recent afternoon, Abel de Jesús Rosales Reza, 22, played older narcocorridos over a speaker as he worked at this family's clothing shop in Mexico City. He grew up listening to the style of music through his family. He said the government, not just the cartels, is to blame for Mexico's corruption and problems. The power of music only went so far. 'It's up to each person,' he said. 'You can listen to corridos and not be a bad person.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Timeline of Narcocorrido Bans in Mexico
The ban on narcocorridos in certain Mexican states have most recently caused chaos at a Luis R Conriquez show in Texcoco, a city in the State of Mexico just 15 miles outside Mexico City. More from Billboard Maluma Announces a Free Festival to Celebrate His 'Medallo En El Mapa' Concert Luis R Conriquez Speaks Up: 'They Said If I Sang a Corrido, They'd Cut Off the Sound System' Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on Whether Narcocorridos Should Be Banned or Regulated 'There are no corridos. What do we do? Should I just go home instead?' Conriquez, who pioneered the regional Mexican subgenre corridos bélicos, told the rowdy crowd that protested his firm stance on not performing corridos that night. He was following the rules and regulations established by Texcoco, a municipality that, since April 9, prohibited expressions that glorify violence following the implementation of a law targeting mass events. 'It feels awful not to be able to sing what people want to hear, but we join the cause of zero corridos,' the Sonora-born artist added, stirring up a strong reaction by the audience who booed him, threw punches and caused significant damage to the venue, ending the show abruptly. (Read Conriquez's exclusive interview with Billboard detailing exactly what happened that night.) Corridos are a style that dates back to the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. Over the past few decades, the subgenre has birthed various iterations, including corridos bélicos, corridos alterados, corridos verdes, corridos tumbados and narcocorridos, to name a few. While Conriquez's situation has sparked mass media attention, the ban on narcocorridos, songs that often name-check Mexican drug kingpins or cartel figures, goes way back to the 1970s, when Los Tigres del Norte ushered a new era for corridos. Since, calls for censorship of this popular style of music — which has only gone global over the past few years thanks to a new generation of hitmakers, including Gerardo Ortiz, Peso Pluma, Natanael Cano and Conriquez — have only intensified. Sinaloa was among the first states in Mexico to call for a ban on narcocorridos in the 1980s. Other states followed in efforts to regulate or control the diffusion of narcocorridos. Today, 10 (out of 32) states in Mexico have implemented bans and limitations on the broadcasting of corridos in public spaces, including Baja California, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Aguascalientes, Querétaro and Estado de México. Without a federal law, the local government would apply penalties that range from fines or up to one year in prison to those who play music that advocates violence. 'This censorship has followed regional Mexican music for many years but in reality, it reflects what happens every day in our environment,' Rafael Valle, programming director of Guadalajara radio station La Ke Buena, previously told Billboard. 'If the song says some word that is not allowed on the radio, obviously we modify the song, but we don't censor it because that would mean not playing songs that people are constantly requesting.' States have gone so far as to banning actual artists from performing in certain cities. In 2012, Los Tigres were 'indefinitely banned' from Chihuahua after the norteño band sang narcocorridos during a weekend concert there. 'We ask concert organizers and the artists themselves to think about the difficult situation the country is in,' government officials said then. Murders and drug-related violence linked to organized crime in Mexico continues to engulf the country today. This year alone, a number of new bans have taken into effect in Mexico and have even expanded into the U.S. In an unprecedented move, the U.S. State Department canceled work and tourist visas of Mexican corrido group Los Alegres del Barranco after they displayed images of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho,' during a concert on Saturday (March 29) at an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara. Below, see Billboard's updating timeline on state and federal actions against narcocorridos implemented this year in Mexico, and their impact on Mexican artists. A narcomanta, a type of banner often used by criminal groups to communicate messages, was reportedly found in Sonora, Mexico, with alleged threats against corridos tumbados star Natanael Cano, as well as Mexican singers Tito Torbellino Jr. and Javier Rosas. The prosecutor's office in Sonora says it is sending the investigation into the alleged threats against Cano, Torbellino Jr. and Rosas to the Mexican attorney general's office. Nayarit joins other Mexican states in prohibiting the interpretation or reproduction of narcocorridos and other musical genres that advocate crime. Grupo Firme cancels its show at the Carnaval de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, following the appearance in Tijuana of a narcomanta message with alleged death threats. Los Alegres del Barranco performs 'El del Palenque' during its concert at the Telmex Auditorium in Guadalajara, while images of a criminal leader are projected. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirms in a post on X that the work and tourist visas of the members of Los Alegres del Barranco were revoked after the projection of images 'that glorify the narco.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, through the Ministry of Culture, presents the binational contest 'Mexico Canta,' which seeks to promote songs that steer clear of glorifying violence. The government of the State of Mexico urges authorities of the municipalities of Texcoco, Metepec and Tejupilco, where popular fairs are held, to ensure that they do not advocate violence during public activities and shows. Luis R Conriquez announces prior to his concert in Texcoco's Feria del Caballo that he will exclude corridos bélicos from his setlist that night. The show ends in a riot. Hours before, the government of the state of Jalisco presented an initiative against narcocorridos in public or private shows. Luis R. Conriquez issues a statement about what happened at his concert in Texcoco. He announces changes to his lyrics. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemns what happened at the show in Texcoco, and reiterates that her government does not prohibit any musical genre. President Sheinbaum states that she is not in favor of prohibitions, in the case of narcocorridos, and that her government will continue to promote a culture of peace. This same day, the local congress of the state of Aguascalientes approves the prohibition of narcocorridos in public events. A local law goes into effect in the state of Michoacán prohibiting the performance of narcocorridos at public events. Penalties range from fines to cancellations of events. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ban on music glorifying cartels sparks violence, chaos at concert
A Mexican artist was forced to flee a concert stage on Saturday after enraging fans by saying he had been banned by the government from singing popular songs glorifying drug traffickers. "Narcocorridos" are a controversial sub-genre of music in Mexico, which celebrates the exploits of the country's infamous drug cartels. The songs have caught the attention of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who in recent days launched a music contest "for peace and against addictions," seeking to counter the popularity of narcocorridos among young people in Mexico and the United States. Chaos erupted early Saturday in the city of Texcoco, 15 miles outside Mexico City, when Luis R. Conriquez told the crowd that he could not sing his popular songs praising leaders of the Sinaloa cartel. Media reports and online videos show the singer explaining to the audience that the government had banned him from singing the songs. "It's a law that must be respected... I also feel bad for not singing what you want to hear," Conriquez said in the videos. Booing soon escalated into objects and beer being thrown at the singer and his band, who were forced to flee the stage. Later, nearly 20 people stormed the stage, destroying musical instruments and sound equipment. Conriquez's manager, Freddy Perez, said in a post on Instagram that the artist obeyed the government's order "not to sing corridos." The situation "led to a violent attack on our artist, band and crew... People reacted very badly, destroying instruments and audio equipment," he added. The state government confirmed the incident in a statement, saying there were no injuries. It urged against "condoning violence, referring to figures linked to criminal acts or drug use" at public events. Narcocorridos are banned at public events in states including Nayarit, Baja California, Chihuahua, and Quintana Roo. The genre has flourished on digital platforms, its popularity boosted by the rags-to-riches stories in the songs. U.S. responds after cartel leader's face shown at concert Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department revoked the visas of members of a Mexican band after they projected the face of a drug cartel boss onto a large screen during a performance in the western state of Jalisco. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who was U.S. ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration, said late Tuesday on social media that the work and tourism visas of members of Los Alegres del Barranco were revoked. The controversy broke out over the weekend when the face of Nemesio Rubén "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes layered over flames was projected behind the band, originally hailing from Sinaloa, during the concert. Oseguera is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which has been connected to a ranch authorities say was used to train cartel recruits and possibly dispose of bodies in Jalisco, where searchers found human bone fragments, heaps of clothing and shoes. The U.S. government has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera's capture. In November, his son-in-law was arrested in California after U.S. officials say he faked his own death to "live a life of luxury" north of the border. The Jalisco cartel is among other criminal groups in Mexico that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. While the image was met by applause during the concert, Jalisco prosecutors quickly announced they were summoning the band to testify in an investigation into whether they were promoting violence, a crime which could result in a penalty of up to six months in prison. In December, videos posted on social media from a town in the western state of Michoacan, showed a sign at a Christmas fair thanking the Jalisco cartel's leader for the gifts. "The children of Coalcoman thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their noble gesture. Thank for your gifts," the sign read. Sheinbaum said at the time that local officials were being investigated for any possible links to the sign. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Savannah Bananas pack stadiums with their zany twist on baseball | 60 Minutes American retirees expand their world overseas Trump's chaotic tariffs week
CBS News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Ban on music glorifying cartels sparks chaos at concert in Mexico: "Violent attack on our artist, band and crew"
A Mexican artist was forced to flee a concert stage on Saturday after enraging fans by saying he had been banned by the government from singing popular songs glorifying drug traffickers. "Narcocorridos" are a controversial sub-genre of music in Mexico, which celebrates the exploits of the country's infamous drug cartels . The songs have caught the attention of President Claudia Sheinbaum , who in recent days launched a music contest "for peace and against addictions," seeking to counter the popularity of narcocorridos among young people in Mexico and the United States. Chaos erupted early Saturday in the city of Texcoco, 15 miles outside Mexico City, when Luis R. Conriquez told the crowd that he could not sing his popular songs praising leaders of the Sinaloa cartel. Media reports and online videos show the singer explaining to the audience that the government had banned him from singing the songs. "It's a law that must be respected... I also feel bad for not singing what you want to hear," Conriquez said in the videos. Booing soon escalated into objects and beer being thrown at the singer and his band, who were forced to flee the stage. Later, nearly 20 people stormed the stage, destroying musical instruments and sound equipment. Conriquez's manager, Freddy Perez, said in a post on Instagram that the artist obeyed the government's order "not to sing corridos." The situation "led to a violent attack on our artist, band and crew... People reacted very badly, destroying instruments and audio equipment," he added. The state government confirmed the incident in a statement, saying there were no injuries. It urged against "condoning violence, referring to figures linked to criminal acts or drug use" at public events. Narcocorridos are banned at public events in states including Nayarit, Baja California, Chihuahua, and Quintana Roo. The genre has flourished on digital platforms, its popularity boosted by the rags-to-riches stories in the songs. Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department revoked the visas of members of a Mexican band after they projected the face of a drug cartel boss onto a large screen during a performance in the western state of Jalisco. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who was U.S. ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration, said late Tuesday on social media that the work and tourism visas of members of Los Alegres del Barranco were revoked. The controversy broke out over the weekend when the face of Nemesio Rubén "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes layered over flames was projected behind the band, originally hailing from Sinaloa, during the concert. Oseguera is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which has been connected to a ranch authorities say was used to train cartel recruits and possibly dispose of bodies in Jalisco, where searchers found human bone fragments, heaps of clothing and shoes. The U.S. government has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera's capture. In November, his son-in-law was arrested in California after U.S. officials say he faked his own death to "live a life of luxury" north of the border. The Jalisco cartel is among other criminal groups in Mexico that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. While the image was met by applause during the concert, Jalisco prosecutors quickly announced they were summoning the band to testify in an investigation into whether they were promoting violence, a crime which could result in a penalty of up to six months in prison. In December, videos posted on social media from a town in the western state of Michoacan, showed a sign at a Christmas fair thanking the Jalisco cartel's leader for the gifts. "The children of Coalcoman thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their noble gesture. Thank for your gifts," the sign read. Sheinbaum said at the time that local officials were being investigated for any possible links to the sign. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
