GUADALAJARA, 2025-06-16 00:20:00
Turning a New Page
The band Los Alegres del Barranco, known for their narcocorridos, has released a new song, “El Consejo,” urging young people to avoid crime. This shift comes amidst legal troubles and a government initiative.
- Los Alegres del Barranco released “El Consejo” to discourage youth involvement in crime.
- The song is a response to an invitation from the governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, for a preventive campaign.
- The band faces ongoing investigations related to previous performances.
The Mexican regional music scene is buzzing, but not just with catchy tunes. Los Alegres del Barranco, a group with a history of glorifying organized crime figures, has surprised fans with their latest single, “El Consejo.” The track is a stark warning to young people about the perils of a life of crime.
This release is a direct response to an invitation from Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus, who wants the group to join a preventive campaign aimed at steering youth away from violence. The band’s statement accompanying the song made their stance clear: “The crime is not a game and if you enter it there is no happy ending. Do not mess!”
A Message of Caution
The lyrics of “El Consejo” are direct and reflective, aiming to dissuade young people from the lure of easy money. The song’s verses deliver this message:
“I’m going to give you good advice, if you want to get old, don’t get hooked with the bad, nothing good, leave that. If you think it’s easy money, pay attention to these verses, there are dreams that are fulfilled and then they are nightmare.”
The song details the consequences of choosing a criminal path, including the loss of freedom, family, and even life. “There are only two ways, the pantheon or jail,” the lyrics state, emphasizing that “there are always more options to get ahead.”
The group is consciously moving away from the glorification of criminal life that characterized some of their previous narcocorridos. Governor Pablo Lemus shared the new song, encouraging the community to listen to the message.
Legal Challenges and a Path Forward
Currently, Los Alegres del Barranco faces a complicated legal situation. The Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office has five open investigation folders against the group. Four of these are linked to concerts where they performed songs considered to be an endorsement of crime.
The fifth investigation concerns possible operations with resources of illicit origin. More than five million pesos were frozen after a presentation in Zapopan.
Amidst these challenges, Governor Lemus has proposed a deal: reduce or reconsider sanctions against the group in exchange for active participation in preventive actions aimed at at-risk youth. The proposal includes free concerts, talks in youth rehabilitation centers, and positive messages through their songs. The governor has stated, “The objective is not to imprison them, but to turn them into agents of change.”
To formalize this collaboration, the group, along with the Ministry of Culture, must design an educational program validated and oriented toward vulnerable communities. The success of this plan will be measured by its social impact.
With “El Consejo,” Los Alegres del Barranco begin a new chapter, trading tributes to criminal life for sincere warnings rooted in experience. Time will tell if their message can erase their musical past and achieve artistic reintegration with social responsibility.
