MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she plans to reduce the popularity of “narco corridos,” a type of music often associated with drug violence.
Sheinbaum promised to start a program to promote more non-violent styles that are not related to drug dealers with the goal of stopping them from glorifying them.
The campaign includes “competition between corrido groups that have a certain type of message, that praises certain behaviors, certain cultural views,” said Sheinbaum, noting that “banning them is not an option.” Instead, he said, “it’s about promotion. It’s another sign.”
Reliable and interesting news every day, in your inbox
See for yourself – The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and interesting stories.
His secret weapon is the 47-year-old northern governor who sometimes sings some traditional “banda” songs.
“One of the ideas we came up with was in Durango,” Sheinbaum said. “We talked about it with the boss, I don’t know if you knew, but he is a ‘banda’ singer.
Gov. Esteban Villegas took a few turns on stage singing band music, which although also played by trumpets and basses, can praise cowboys and the working poor.
Peso Pluma, one of the biggest names in Mexican regional music, on the other hand, boasts signature songs of “belicon” or brutal “tumbado” sprinkled with references to drug trafficking.
At various times, other Mexican cities have tried to ban the activities of narco corridos, with mixed success.
Marco Antonio Gordoa Obeso, president of the musicians’ union in the northern city of Mazatlan, said he wants to see other types of music flourish, but some audiences prefer narco corridos.
“People ask themselves,” Gordoa Obeso said. “Who am I to deny someone what he wants?”
_____
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at rta