Obituary: Mexican singer Diego Rivas shot dead

Mexican singer Diego Rivas, whose ‘narcocorridos’ songs are said by some to glorify drug trafficking, has been shot dead in the country’s western Sinaloa state. Two others were also killed in what appears to have been a drive-by attack.

With songs such as Brindo con Sangre (I Toast With Blood) and El comander (The Commander), Diego Rivas was a controversial figure in Mexico. Another of his songs is said to be an ode to alleged drug baron Joaquin ‘Shorty’ Guzman. Rivas was far from the only singer of ‘narcocorridos’ songs, and the performers are often targeted by rival gangs.

Diego Rivas began his career in school singing contests. He later joined the band Arriba Mi Sinaloa, but quit in 2006 and has since been performing with his own band Los Guaruras. It’s not clear if he was deliberately targeted in the shooting that claimed his life.