Ernesto Barajas: Life, Death, and the NarcoCorrido Legend
the Complex Legacy of a ‘Narcocorrido’ Composer
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The founder of the Northern Enigma Group,a band specializing in the controversial “narcocorridos” genre,has died at the age of 51.Ramón Ayala Barajas, known as “El Mencho,” penned songs explicitly referencing leaders of powerful drug cartels, navigating a perilous intersection of music and organized crime.
Cartel Connections in Song
Barajas’s compositions often named prominent figures within the criminal underworld. His lyrics directly mentioned Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the long-time leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, who is now incarcerated in the United States. Notably, he also wrote “Are They Going to Want More? (El Mencho),” a song dedicated to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the current leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), released in 2016.
Denials and a Tragic Loss
Despite the explicit content of his songs, Barajas consistently maintained he had no direct ties to criminal organizations. “Beyond the lyrics of his songs, Barajas assured that he was not related to any group of organized crime,” the BBC reported. Though, the world he depicted in his music proved tragically real. In 2012, José Baldenegro, the Northern Enigma Group’s drummer, was kidnapped and murdered, deeply impacting the band. “It was something that impacted us. We wanted to retire from music,” Barajas told Telemundo in 2023.
Walking a Fine Line
Barajas claimed the band was “very careful” with their lyrics, aiming to “exalt the character” of their subjects rather than directly attack rivals. He believed this approach earned them “credibility” and “respect” from all sides. However, the genre itself remains highly controversial.
Crackdown on ‘Narcocorridos’
Several Mexican states, notably in the north, have banned performances of “narcocorridos” due to concerns they incite violence and glorify criminal activity. President Claudia Sheinbaum has also launched a campaign encouraging musicians to move away from drug-related themes in their lyrics.
