What are Narcocorridos?
Narcocorridos are a sub category of a larger music genre called Corridos. They have originated from Mexico but are also heard across the border in the United States. A corrido tells a part of history, a story. Narcocorridos -being a sub category of corridos- are almost the same thing, except they tell stories about drug lords, traffickers, and about drug trade; hence the name “narc”. But they face criticism and are often looked down upon since people say that they glorify and glamorize a violent lifestyle.
Music?
Narcocorridos feature instruments such as the guitar, accordion, trumpet and the tuba. They are music because they tell a story, which is a form of expression. Many sub-genres from corridos have also risen up into the public, some of the well-known being: corridos alterados, corridos belicos, and corridos tumbados. Not only do they tell some story, but they tell an experience that someone has had. They are authentic and they share the everyday situation of someone’s reality. Some of the most current best known narcocorrido artists: Peso Pluma, Tito Double P, Natanael Cano, Fuerza Regida, Junior H, Luis R Conriquez and plenty more.
Propaganda?
Propaganda, “a method of communication, is often biased, and is used to influence people’s opinions and actions, frequently by using exaggerates or misleading information.” Narcocorridos can be considered propaganda because they often glorify high ranking cartel figures. In corridos, they can be portrayed as powerful, loyal, brave, and are mostly portrayed as a Robin Hood figure. Artists who often make narcocorridos work with, or get paid by the cartel to produce the songs. These songs have become a big way in normalizing drug trade and even convincing people to join the drug trading world.
Very Recent Controversy
Nevertheless, with big music comes big problems. The United States and Mexico have started to reinforce the banning of narcocorridos. Recently, chaos has stricken narcocorrido artist Luis R Conriquez in a concert on Friday April 11 at Texcoco, State of Mexico. After Claudia Sheinbaum’s (President of Mexico) speech on the banning of narcocorridos, he was not able to perform those songs at his concert. As a result, fans got mad and started throwing their drinks everywhere -literally- eventually booing him out of the venue.
