Because nothing unites more than a song… or so they believe
Ah, music, that art capable of calming souls and, apparently, solving social problems. The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has just announced the first binational contest titled “Mexico sings for peace and against addictions”. Yes, because if there’s one thing this world needs, it’s more romantic ballads and less narcocorridos. Registration will be open from April 28 to May 30, 2025, so now you know: if your dream is to be the next Juan Gabriel (but without mentioning drugs or violence), this is your chance.
The two objectives: one realistic, the other… well, we’ll see
According to the president, the event has two noble purposes: promote Mexican music without apology for violence or drugs (goodbye, corridos tumbados) and attract part of the American creative industry to Mexico. Because, of course, the only thing Hollywood needs is to move to Durango. Sheinbaum calls it “a cross-border initiative,” which sounds nice, although one wonders if Netflix producers will be as excited as she is.
“It is an activity that seems small, but it is very big,” he declared, in an attempt to convince us that this festival will change the course of the economy. Will it generate jobs? Maybe. Will it reduce crime? Well, at least there will be more country music in the air.
The rules: originality, but not too much
Participants (young people from 18 to 34 years old) will be able to send their unreleased songs (maximum 3 minutes) or versions of other people’s songs. Of course, no lyrics that glorify crime or illegal substances, because here we come to sing for peace, not to tell stories about bosses. Of course, fusions of mariachi with rap are accepted, because what better way to unite cultures than by mixing a violin with an urban beat?
The winners will receive record contracts, because nothing says “fighting addictions” like signing with a transnational record label. Of course, the jury’s prize includes recording a six-song EP, which means that, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to hear your voice on Spotify alongside Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift. Or at least on a government playlist.
Will it work? Who knows. But in the meantime, if you’re a talented young person who wants to sing (and doesn’t want to mention drug trafficking), run and sign up at mexicocanta.gob.mx. And if not, you can always follow the event on public television, because what better plan than a Saturday night watching someone perform a bolero fused with hip-hop?
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