Enigma Norteño’s Founder & Vocalist Ernesto Barajas Killed
Via Instagram @ernestobarajasoficial
The música mexicana world is in mourning. On Aug. 19, it was reported that Enigma Norteño’s founder and vocalist, Ernesto Barajas, was shot and killed. He was said to be 38.
Though there are no official reports on the cause of death, there have been explicit photos and videos circulating online that allegedly show Barajas’ last moments. Local media reports that Barajas was killed in Zapopan, Jalisco, México, at a car repair shop. Infobae Mexico reports that another person with him also lost his life and that a third person is injured. According to El Universal, the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office is already investigating what happened, but there is no more official information available at this time.
Hailing from Culiacán, Sinaloa, the band has been in the Regional Mexican music space since 2004. Known for his hard-hitting narcocorridos like “Chavo Felix,” “El Ondeado M1,” and “El Mayito Gordo,” Barajas led Enigma Norteño to become a widely known música mexicana act today. Since their start, they have collaborated with artists like Regulo Caro, Grupo Codiciado, Alfredo Olivas, Grupo Firme, and Fuerza Regida. And the collaborations kept coming. Not even 24 hours before his death, the vocalist was promoting his band’s newest single, “Hello Kitty” with Edgardo Nuñez.
In 2023, Enigma Norteño allegedly received a threat via nacromanta signed by the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The narcomanta led them to cancel their performance at the Feria de Rosarito 2023 in Baja California, Mexico. The narcomanta allegedly read: “Ernesto Barajas, lead singer of Enigma Norteño, stop feeling protected by the sisters Aquiles and Rana. You’re not going to come here and sing corridos about your flag. Baja has an owner. Sincerely, CJNG.” A couple of days later, the band canceled their performance.
Though there are no official statements on the vocalist’s social media yet, fans and colleagues are already mourning on his recent posts. May he rest in peace.