Ernesto Barajas, the 38-year-old lead singer and co-founder of the popular Mexican regional music band Enigma Norteño, was fatally shot on Tuesday, August 19, in a parking lot in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. The attack occurred around 1 p.m. local time when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on Barajas and his companions at a long-term vehicle storage facility in the Arenales Tapatíos neighborhood.
According to the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office, another man also died in the attack, while an 18-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to her leg. The attackers fled the scene on their motorcycle, and no arrests have been made. Authorities have opened an investigation into what appears to be an organized crime operation.
Barajas’ management company, Talento Líder, confirmed his death to Billboard Español and posted a tribute on Instagram Stories. The company stated that it would “always be proud of you and remember you as the great artist and human being that you were.” Barajas is survived by his wife Alexis Sillas and their two children.
Born on September 16, 1986, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Barajas founded Enigma Norteño in 2004 alongside Humberto Pérez when he was just 18 years old. The band gained prominence in the narcocorrido genre, a controversial subgenre of regional Mexican music that often portrays drug cartel figures and their activities. The group has more than four million monthly listeners on Spotify and released their most recent album, “Atención Al Cliente,” in November 2024.
The band’s repertoire included songs dedicated to prominent cartel figures, including “Los Chapitos,” named after the sons of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and tracks referencing Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Other popular songs included “Mayito Gordo,” “Los Lujos del R,” and “El Chapo Guzmán.” Just five days before his death, on August 14, the band released “Hello Kitty,” a collaboration with fellow Sinaloa musician Edgardo Nuñez.
Barajas had previously received threats from organized crime groups. In 2023, he was targeted by a narcomanta from the CJNG that appeared prior to a scheduled performance in Rosarito, Baja California. The threatening message criticized his alleged relationship with Alfonso “El Aquiles” Arzate García and René “La Rana” Arzate García of the Sinaloa Cartel, leading to the cancellation of his show.
Due to safety concerns, Barajas had reportedly moved from his native Culiacán to Guadalajara, where he maintained a more discreet lifestyle. Mexican media reported that he had received constant threats in recent years, with some sources suggesting the attack may have been related to settling scores between rival criminal organizations.
In previous interviews, Barajas acknowledged the controversial nature of his music but defended his work. He indicated that narcocorridos were sometimes commissioned by criminal organizations, revealing that he charged $25,000 per song in 2022, though this figure had reportedly increased to $60,000 more recently. He explained that songs required approval from intermediaries before recording and distribution.
The narcocorrido genre has faced increasing scrutiny from Mexican authorities, with several states banning public performances of music that glorifies crime. The Trump administration has also taken action against artists in the genre, revoking visas of various musicians and sanctioning performers over alleged cartel connections. This week, the government of Querétaro issued regulations prohibiting the performance of music that glorifies violence in public spaces and entertainment centers.
Barajas’ murder follows a pattern of violence against narcocorrido performers. In May 2025, five members of the musical group Fugitivo were murdered by suspected drug traffickers in Tamaulipas state, with their bodies found several days after families reported receiving ransom demands. The ongoing violence has intensified debates about the relationship between the music genre and organized crime in Mexico.
In addition to his musical career, Barajas hosted the podcast “Puntos de Vista con Ernesto Barajas,” featuring guests from the regional Mexican music scene. His final podcast episode was published on August 13, just six days before his death. Enigma Norteño celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 with a commemorative album featuring collaborations with prominent artists in the genre.
