In the last several years, at least one dozen Mexican norteño musicians have been murdered in a wave of violence bearing the brazenness and brutality of Mexico's drug cartels. Most of the victims performed what are known as "narcocorridos," popular folk songs that tell the stories of the Mexican drug trade — and, depending on who you ask, celebrate its leaders as folk heroes.
Mexico: Dangerous Music
Published March 20, 2009
A Borderland Pictures production
A film by Jordan deBree and Clayton Worfolk
Produced in association with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
Begins airing Friday, March 20, 2009
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More than 6,000 people died in Mexico's drug-related violence last year. One of the highest death tolls was in the city of Culiacán, the birthplace of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. It's also home to the "narco-corrido," a style of music celebrating smugglers and bandits. But in the midst of an escalating drug war, even the music you play can be a fatal choice.
Project
On his last day in Culiacán, Pulitzer Center grantee Clayton Worfolk witnessed a traumatic crime scene—an embodiment of what has made this city one of the most dangerous in Mexico.
People here are mad. People here are scared.
Project
Grantee
Jordan deBree is a documentary producer, cameraman and editor. He has worked as a journalist both in the United States and in Latin America. His work has appeared on PBS, MSNBC, and in a variety of...
Grantee
Clayton Worfolk recently completed the master's degree program at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, where he focused on television production and magazine writing.
He has traveled to...
