Musician Ernesto Barajas, known as the vocalist of Enigma Norteño, tragically met his end at the age of 38.
Mexican Musician Ernesto Barajas Assassinated in Zapopan
Ernesto Barajas, a prominent figure in the regional Mexican music scene, was tragically gunned down in Zapopan, Jalisco, on a fateful day in August 2025. Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in September 1986, Barajas was the founder, vocalist, bassist, producer, and director of the renowned band, Enigma Norteño, which he established in 2004.
Enigma Norteño rose to prominence by blending traditional Mexican music with contemporary influences, creating a unique sound that resonated with audiences in Mexico and the United States. Barajas's contribution to Mexican regional music is primarily through his role in popularizing the modern narcocorridos genre—a form of corrido (ballad) that narrates the lives and stories of drug traffickers and organized crime figures, especially those tied to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Some of Enigma Norteño's most popular hits include Mayito Gordo, El Ondeado, and Aunque Sea en Silencio. The band's music played a significant role in the so-called "movimiento alterado," a movement characterized by music that reflects the realities of organized crime.
In addition to his artistic work, Barajas was known for his business acumen, earning substantial fees for personalized narcocorridos commissioned by emissaries of criminal groups who dictated specific lyrics to reflect their leaders' lives authentically. He also hosted a popular YouTube podcast, Puntos de Vista, interviewing key figures in the genre and expanding his influence beyond music performance.
Barajas's impact was marked by controversy due to the violent themes in narcocorridos and their links to organized crime. Despite the threats, he defended corridos as a form of artistic expression and rejected any direct link to organized crime.
Months before his assassination, Barajas revealed that he suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, cardiac conditions that kept him under medical surveillance. Investigations into his assassination are currently underway by the Fiscalía del Estado de Jalisco.
The shooting occurred around 1:00 PM in the Arenales Tapatios neighborhood in Zapopan. In addition to Barajas, one of his companions also lost his life, and a 20-year-old woman was injured in the leg during the attack.
Barajas maintained close contact with his followers on Instagram, where he had over 1.5 million followers. Just days before his death, he promoted a collaboration with Edgardo Núñez on the theme Hello Kitty. In his final days, he also interviewed personalities from regional Mexican music and influencers, including Ian Córdoba and Chico Elizalde, on his YouTube channel.
Enigma Norteño's legacy remains significant in the evolution and popularization of narcocorridos in Mexican regional music. The band solidified itself in regional Mexican music with corridos and ballads, and Barajas's impact will continue to be felt in the genre for years to come.
[1] Enigma Norteño. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_Norte%C3%B1o
[2] Barajas, Ernesto. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Barajas
[3] Narcocorrido. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcocorrido
[4] Movimiento alterado. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movimiento_alterado
[5] Barajas, Ernesto. (2025, August). Interview with Chico Elizalde. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46xPWQlJJ50
