Music can be so touching and wide-reaching to an artist, but in other aspects it can lead to putting your life on the line. Simply just singing the wrong song at the wrong time and place, you could end up being a victim -counting on many other artist that have been killed by the Mafia in Mexico due to the disrespect that they feel from the artist and song, most definitely in their operating territory.
One of the best Mexican regional singer Valentin Elizalde “El Gallo de Oro” known as the Golden Rooster had many hits and with his famous Narco Corridos became more known. Due to the fact he was the first of many to sing narco corridos, giving drug lord inspiration and honor and talk down or send a message to their rival enemies.
On November 25, 2006, Valentine at 27 of age was gunned down including his driver and assistant in Reynosa, Tamaulipas after his performance due to the corrido he performed named “A Mis Enemigos”, which contains lyrics that antagonize drug trafficking gang Los Zetas. Raul Hernández Barron, alleged murderer of Elizalde and member of Los Zetas, was arrested on 22 March 2008, in Coatzintla, Veracruz.
By Carlos Hernandez
PRA 411 