When music sounds like a political statement
The song ‘El Del Palenque’ is not new. Los Alegres del Barranco released it in 2021. But these things have a strange life, right? They sleep for a while and wake up just when someone with a social microphone decides to wind them up.
In this case, the one who gave him ‘play’ was Pedro Segura Valladares. The businessman and former candidate asked for it in a private meeting and began to sing it. Of course, social networks did the rest: capture, viralization, scandal.
Lyrics that are more than verses
The corrido is narrated in the first person by someone who clearly moves in certain circles of power. He doesn’t mince words. From the beginning he says:
“four letters go in front”
A direct reference to the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel). And it ends with the phrase that makes it clear:
“under Mencho’s orders”
There it is. The name of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the most wanted criminal leader, turned into a character in a ballad.
The lyrics use the world of cockfighting as a constant metaphor. ‘I have fighting cocks that fight for my party.’ You don’t have to be a genius to understand the analogy: subordinates, armed groups, hierarchical structure.
Mention other characters linked to the organization and its cells. It paints a picture of territory, loyalty and internal power. It is the manual of the subgenre: the narcocorrido.
And here comes the juicy thing, what always happens with these songs. The eternal question: is it just folklore or is it an apology? The piece has been repeatedly singled out for glorifying illicit activities. Every time someone interprets it, especially someone with a public profile, it reopens the debate.
Why is a former candidate singing this? Simple carelessness? Encrypted message? Absolute lack of tact? The networks are burning with theories while the song continues to play. And ‘Mencho’, from his hiding place, has another unofficial anthem.
