Six years ago, corridos tumbados gained popularity thanks to a young Sonoran who was 18 at the time, Natanael Cano. Songs like 'Bello Ángel,' 'Madona,' 'Giza,' and now 'Presidente' propelled him to the top of global charts. 'El Nata,' along with Gabito Ballesteros, Luis R. Conriquez, and Neton Vega, has turned 'Presidente' into a chronicle of the luxury of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the most powerful and dangerous criminal organization in Mexico today.
The censorship of the song on various platforms did not stop its diffusion, with TikTok being its greatest ally. Corridos tumbados, a subgenre of regional Mexican music that combines traditional with urban, have gained strength. 'Presidente' has become a hit and generated a new trend on social media where followers emulate the life of drug traffickers depicted in the video.
The lyrics of 'Presidente,' written by Daniel Candia amid the narcotraffic crisis in Mexico, incorporate violence, drugs, and ostentation. It references the leader of the CJNG's Elite Group and contains verses that evoke organized crime and its luxuries. The song has reached over 26 million views on YouTube and 46 million on Spotify.
'Presidente' mentions Francisco Javier Gudiño Haro, the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of former Jalisco governor Aristóteles Sandoval. It also alludes to Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias '03' and/or 'El R-3,' stepson of 'El Mencho,' the leader of CJNG. Other verses reference cartel leaders for whom the United States offers million-dollar rewards.
Corrido tumbados often reflect the reality of drug trafficking. 'El Plumas,' a nearly ghostly figure mentioned in 'Presidente,' generated controversy to the point of censorship. Furthermore, the song alludes to the armed attack that resulted in the death of Aristóteles Sandoval, who was attacked while dining at a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
Amid criticisms and controversies, the song 'Presidente' remains in the realm of music as a reflection of the violence and ostentation associated with the world of drug trafficking.
