TIJUANA.-Narcocorridos, songs about drugs and drug cartels, have been around for the past thirty years, based on stories of real life violence and crime.

They are considered a cultural expression of violence, power, and whatever else fulfills the twisted desires of consumption, and they have even become characteristic to many of the Northern part of Mexico's identity.

But, the government has been forced to prohibit narcocorridos and take steps so that bands that sing these songs cannot present at various stadiums. The idea is that these songs provoke violence and deviation in the country. But, even so, there are people that still listen to this music.

Followers of narcocorrido songs argue that prohibition of this music is nothing short of censorship, a violation of freedom of speech, and even argue that this genre of music has become part of Mexican tradition by stating that corridos, which translates to fast-moving because of the typical rhythm of these types of songs, first became popular during the Mexican Revolution, with songs about legendary figures such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, and that likewise they continue to pay tribute to emblematic persons in power.

Supporters believe that it goes against the constitution to censor any type of music, and that their freedom to listen to this music is a way of expressing what is really happening in the country.

The documentary¨Narco Cultura¨ is a good example of the testimony of children, youth, and adults expressing themselves with this genre.

This is why corridos are not completely censored in Mexico, and only some states prohibit them, while others cancel concerts due to death threats against the band, or prohibit them from playing on television and radio or in public transportation.

This year, in Tijuana Gerado Ortiz, ¨The King of corrido¨ and Alfredo Ríos, ¨El Komander¨ were prohibited from playing at the Municipal Fair, while others such as Los Buchones de Culiacán, Chuy Lizarraga, Banda Trakalosa de Monterrey, and others have been able to play without being cancelled.

Gerardo Ortiz has received death threats in Tijuana, with a message threatening him not to play songs that relate to members of organized crime during his concert this Saturday.

Members of the Movimiento Alterado couldn't present their concert because they could not obtain corresponding permits, a trend that has taken place in other states throughout the country.

Los Tucanes de Tijuana is a clear example and one of the instigators that prohibited narcocorridos for more than a decade, the group is banned from the very state they were born in as there is a prohibition on playing narcocorridos because of the violent content of their songs.

Baja California's Congress approved a measure three years ago prohibiting the promotion on TV and radio of this type of music, and the city has upheld a local rule since 2009 that prohibits taxi and bus drivers from playing these songs in their conveyances.

Editorial@sandiegored.com