### The Shifting Sound of Mexican Music: Moving Away from Narcocorridos

### Mexican musician Luis R. Conriquez steps back from performing narcocorridos amid growing pressure to reduce glorification of violence in music.

Luis R. Conriquez, once celebrated as the “Corridos King” and a symbol of the narcocorrido genre, recently made headlines at a fair in Texcoco, Mexico. Known for his music that highlights the tales of drug lords and narco culture, he announced he would omit several of his hallmark tracks from his performance, aligning himself with a burgeoning movement in Mexico aimed at curbing the glorification of drug cartels through music.

This decision came as a shock to many fans who had come out with high expectations, resulting in boos from the crowd and even vandalism of the instruments after Conriquez and his band exited the stage early. “It feels bad not being able to sing what people want to hear,” he expressed on social media, revealing his stance alongside the “zero corridos” campaign.

The shift comes in the context of a nation grappling with the pervasive impact of organized crime, exacerbated by external pressures, including the Trump administration's calls for a stronger response to cartel activities. In response, Conriquez indicated his plan to update his lyrics to tone down explicit references and adapt performances based on regional restrictions against songs that glorify criminal activities, as he prepares for an upcoming U.S. tour.

As cities and states in Mexico push to eliminate songs that celebrate narcotrafficking, this trend poses questions about the future of narcocorridos and their role in cultural identity, as artists and fans alike navigate the challenges of a changing musical landscape.