Authorities said two armed men riding a motorcycle approached Barajas in a parking lot and opened fire. Another man was killed in the attack, while a woman sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The incident adds to a growing list of violent assaults targeting performers of narcocorridos—a controversial musical genre that glorifies the exploits of drug lords and cartel leaders.
Barajas and his band, which attract over four million monthly listeners on Spotify, are known for songs dedicated to some of Mexico’s most notorious criminal figures. Among them is a track praising Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Another song, Los Chapitos, pays tribute to the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the Sinaloa cartel kingpin now serving a life sentence in the United States.
The dangers of the genre have become increasingly visible. In May, five members of another band, Fugitivo, were murdered in Tamaulipas, allegedly by drug traffickers. Barajas himself had reportedly received threats from the CJNG in the past, according to Mexican media.
The popularity of narcocorridos stems from their raw portrayal of cartel life, with criminal groups often commissioning musicians to compose songs that celebrate their power and mythologize their leaders. But this notoriety comes with risk, as singers frequently find themselves caught in the crossfire of cartel rivalries.
Some Mexican states have moved to ban performances of narcocorridos, citing concerns that the music glamorizes crime. In April, one such ban led to a riot at a concert after a singer refused to perform several of his most requested songs.
Barajas’ killing highlights the dangerous intersection of entertainment, organized crime, and freedom of expression in Mexico—where music, culture, and violence often collide with deadly consequences.