The narcocorrido - falling out of favour?
They describe a growing dislike, even revulsion, for music that critics say celebrates the people terrorizing a community that has suffered at least 207 violent deaths this year. Attendance at narcocorrido concerts has dipped; bands say audiences request the music less and less, preferring dance and romantic tunes that take their minds off the city's troubles.
Thanks to East Texas Red for pointing me to this article. The narcocorrido is that curious form of norteno/conjunto, music that glorifies drug lords. Some of these characters have actually paid bands to write corridos about their exploits. The most famous of the bands playing this kind of music is Los Tigres del Nortes. Some of their tunes contain sound effects like machine-gun fire as the drug lords have it out with the cops and border patrol. (they also wear groovy outfits) We tend to think of this material as regional folk music, but don't be fooled, it is tremendously popular stuff among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.
1 comment:
Wow I'd never heard of it either. Good riddance that it's falling out of favour.
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