MEXICO CITY (AP) — Attorney Mariel Colón arrives in a dark SUV with tinted windows at the gates of a secluded mansion. Accompanied by Emma Coronel, the wife of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, they walk past a security guard into a chic, dimly lit room filled with well-dressed men smoking cigars, all to the fanfare of trumpets.
This scene comes from the music video for “La Señora,” the latest release from Colón, who previously served as Guzmán’s defense attorney during his trial in the United States. Now, at a moment when regional Mexican music is gaining global traction, the 31-year-old is using her connection to the notorious former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel to launch her music career, performing under the name “Mariel La Abogada” (Mariel the Lawyer).
The song “La Señora” honors Coronel, who was released from prison last year and is seeking employment. This collaboration allowed the two to make headlines during Milan Fashion Week, where they modelled together, garnering attention both in Italy and elsewhere.
Colón, the daughter of a music director from Puerto Rico, developed a love for Mexican ballads at an early age, captivated by their emotional depth. Although she dreamed of being a singer, her family encouraged her to pursue a law degree instead.
After graduating from law school in the U.S., Colón joined Guzmán’s legal team in 2018, having found a Craigslist ad for a part-time paralegal to assist with a Spanish-speaking client. She soon realized the client was Guzmán, taking on both him and Coronel full-time. Colón viewed this as a significant professional opportunity, unshaken by the high-profile nature of her clients.
Once one of the most wanted individuals globally, Guzmán led a violent enterprise through the Sinaloa Cartel, notorious for his daring prison escapes before being extradited to the U.S. in 2017. Now, his sons, known as “Los Chapitos,” are embroiled in a brutal rivalry with other factions, resulting in the display of mutilated bodies across the state capital.
“People ask me how I can do this job, saying I’m part of the mafia, questioning how I can sleep at night,” Colón shared. “But I don’t let their opinions faze me. I sleep very well.”
Colón maintains unique contact with Guzmán, visiting him three times a month in a maximum-security prison in Colorado where he is serving a life sentence. While she refrains from discussing specifics about his cases due to attorney-client confidentiality, she does build rapport with her clients through music.
Colón sings classic Mexican tunes to Guzmán, showcasing songs from bands like Los Alegres del Barranco and Tucanes de Tijuana. He remains one of the first to hear her new music. “He doesn’t have a radio, so I sing him whatever I can find that I like,” she explained.
Her musical journey embarked just over a year ago with the release of her debut video, “La Abogada,” where she performs in a pink suit, addressing law enforcement from within a courtroom. Her music spans various styles, from heavy percussive banda to narrative-driven ballads known as corridos.
The video for “La Señora” depicts a lavish life, featuring a diamond-studded table, Guzmán’s wife on a galloping horse, and scenic poolside strolls. Colón describes the song as a reflection of Coronel’s life, conveying themes of redemption and second chances while also providing Coronel with work, a stipulation of her probation.
Coronel, who previously held a beauty queen title, was released in 2022 after serving a three-year sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering linked to her husband’s illicit empire. She opted not to share her thoughts for this article.
Colón’s lyrics celebrate Coronel’s attributes, singing, “A small waist and beautiful eyes. A brain for business and a strong voice for the bad boys. She only shows her affectionate side to El Chaparrito,” a playful nod to Guzmán’s nickname.
The rise of Colón’s music coincides with a boom in global interest in Mexican music, which experienced a remarkable 400% growth on Spotify over the last five years. In 2023, Mexican artist Peso Pluma surpassed Taylor Swift to become the most streamed artist on YouTube.
While traditional corridos have been popular for over a century, younger musicians are redefining the genre, blending classic styles with contemporary trap influences through corridos tumbados.
This musical evolution raises significant questions: Does this genre reflect the harsh realities faced by many Mexicans, or does it glorify the long-standing narco-violence that has plagued the nation?
For decades, narco culture has been enshrined in corridos, with some artists idolizing traffickers as figures resisting the system, a sentiment echoed by Rafael Saldívar, a researcher at the Autonomous University of Baja California. He notes, “These are cultural expressions that resonate with the country’s realities but can also glorify criminals or promote a lifestyle that not everyone endorses.”
A historical figure in this narrative is Chalino Sánchez, a corrido king whose life and violent death in 1992 illustrated the way violence permeates the music. More recently, Peso Pluma had to cancel a concert in Tijuana following threats from rival cartel members, underlining the ongoing risks associated with this genre.
In response to rising concerns regarding narco-ballads, the city of Tijuana prohibited performances of such music to protect the younger population, while other northern states implemented similar bans against narcocorridos.
Although Colón has not romanticized drug usage or violence within her music, she’s an advocate for narcocorridos. “There’s a reason why Netflix produced the ‘Narcos’ series — it draws an audience,” she explains. “This doesn’t mean people celebrate the actions of these individuals; rather, there’s a curiosity and admiration for their experiences. Not all narratives involve violence; these artists are human, with families and emotions.”
With her first album set to release in December, Coronel is utilizing “La Señora” as a launching pad for her own career in modeling and social media influence. Designer April Black Diamond, who invited Colón and Coronel to model during Milan Fashion Week, stated that her decision sparked considerable “shock.”
“People evolve. My platform is about showcasing the multifaceted strength and resilience of women, not passing judgment,” she remarked. Following this, Coronel’s image from the fashion event appeared on a billboard in Times Square, New York.
On Wednesday, the National Chamber of Fashion in Italy issued a statement emphasizing that the show was independent of the official Milan Fashion Week and urged brands to adhere to ethical guidelines.
As interest in Colón and Coronel’s music video continues to grow, it has already amassed approximately 750,000 views on YouTube, drawing more attention to their artistic endeavors.
