Key Facts
• On August 19, 2025, Ernesto Barajas was shot in Zapopan, Jalisco.
• Barajas was the vocalist of “Enigma Norteño,” with 4 million Spotify listeners.
• He performed “narcocorridos,” songs praising drug cartels’ activities.
• Two men on a motorcycle approached and opened fire, killing Barajas.
• Another man was killed, and a woman sustained leg injuries in the attack.
• Barajas had previously received threats from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
• “Enigma Norteño” songs include tributes to cartel leaders like Nemesio Oseguera.
• Other songs reference Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons, known as “Los Chapitos.”
• In May 2025, five members of “Fugitivo” were killed in Tamaulipas.
• Some Mexican regions have banned “narcocorridos” due to their controversial nature.
• Musicians are often paid by cartels to create songs glorifying their exploits.
• Artists risk being caught in violent territorial disputes between criminal groups.
Summary
Ernesto Barajas, lead singer of “Enigma Norteño,” was fatally shot on August 19, 2025, in Zapopan, Jalisco. Known for performing “narcocorridos,” songs glorifying drug cartels, Barajas had 4 million monthly Spotify listeners. The attack, carried out by two men on a motorcycle, also resulted in one additional death and one injury. Barajas had previously been threatened by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. His group’s songs include tributes to cartel leaders like Nemesio Oseguera and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons. The incident highlights the dangers faced by musicians involved in this controversial genre, which is banned in some regions of Mexico. Recent months have seen similar killings, including the May 2025 murder of five members of “Fugitivo” in Tamaulipas. Cartels often pay artists to create songs celebrating their exploits, further entangling them in violent territorial disputes.
