Natanael Cano, Gerardo Ortiz, and Jenni Rivera: Singers Who Have Performed for Drug Traffickers

Following a performance inside a Hermosillo prison in which singer Natanael Cano allegedly participated, we present some of the regional Mexican singers who have agreed to perform for people involved with the CJNG and others. Some for protection and others to break restrictions.

Natanael Cano

The singer of corridos tumbados has been involved in various controversies in which he has been linked to drug cartels in Mexico. One of these is when, during his show at the Palenque de la Feria de San Marcos, he performed banned corridos despite prohibitions from the Aguascalientes state government.

On the other hand, Cano not only disobeyed the restrictions but also criticized the imposed measures, making his position clear regarding the censorship of this type of music. He also sang the song “Pacas de billete,” which is known for including references to Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, as a way of expressing his disagreement. After the song ended, he also left the stage.

Gerardo Ortiz:

In March of this year, the singer became a trending topic on social media after pleading guilty to making introductions to members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

The singer’s confession was kept secret until Tuesday, March 18, when federal prosecutor Alex Schwab spoke in court about Ortiz’s involvement in the conspiracy to violate the Kingpin Act, a law that prohibits drug traffickers and their companies from accessing the U.S. financial system.

Jenni Rivera

According to a protected witness from the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the so-called “diva of the band,” Jenni Rivera, was hired by Édgar Valdez Villarreal “La Barbie” through José Carlos Salinas Rodríguez “El Charly,” a member of the group Torrente.

“Carlos was in charge of bringing La Barbie bands like Pesado and Intocable, and singers like Jenni Rivera,” the protected witness testified before the FGR in 2015.

Furthermore, in various interviews given by Rivera’s former manager, Gabriel Vázquez, he mentioned that the singer was forced to pay large sums of money and appear before drug traffickers to ensure her safety during her performances.