LA PEOPLE

"LA PEOPLE" is a narcocorrido that narrates a specific event from the perspective of a member of the Sinaloa Cartel. The song's title itself, "La People," is slang for the cartel's crew or armed wing. The lyrics detail a failed military operation to capture a high-ranking member, widely believed to be Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, also known as 'El Nini' or 'El 19'. The song recounts his narrow escape from authorities in Culiacán, the cartel's stronghold.

The narrative is a direct boast of the cartel's power, influence, and ability to evade law enforcement. It references key events and figures within the cartel world. For instance, the mention of 'Jueves' (Thursday) alludes to the 'Culiacanazo,' a major confrontation in 2019 that resulted in the release of Ovidio Guzmán, which occurred on a Thursday. The final lines, "La banda de aquí sigue siendo un Guzmán, lo vuelvo a recalcar" ("The crew here is still a Guzmán, I'll stress it again"), serve as a bold declaration of loyalty to 'Los Chapitos,' the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by the sons of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. The song functions as a piece of modern folklore for the cartel, glorifying its defiance and celebrating the cunning of its members.

The narrative unfolds in Culiacán, where the 'people'—a reference to the cartel's enforcers—are on high alert. There was a recent attempt by the authorities, referred to as 'los verdes' (the green ones, i.e., the military), to capture a high-ranking young leader who commands the 'capital.' The operation failed; the authorities were overly aggressive, forcing the protagonist to make a swift escape through a back exit. The lyrics suggest the military's visit was not a friendly one, as they either wanted to 'greet' him or 'comb' him, a slang term for killing him.

The song invokes a sense of recurring tension, mentioning that on Thursdays, there's a '2 for 1' special in the city, a coded reference to the violent events known as the 'Culiacanazos,' which famously occurred on Thursdays. The narrator asserts his local dominance, stating that enemies are driven away by force ('a punta de tostones,' or with bursts of gunfire). He portrays an image of sophisticated power, wearing a leg holster, golden boots, and carrying a SCAR rifle, all while looking 'fresh.' This is to show his bosses that he possesses not only quality but also immense talent. He declares unwavering loyalty to his flag, his faction within the cartel.

The story continues with a description of his entourage. His armored, supercharged truck was seen passing by, followed by his crew ('plebes') in a Suburban, all clad in camouflage. He mentions that the authorities seized some of his assets but implies it was a minor loss, as he has plenty more safe houses to retreat to ('sobra pa' dónde jalar'). A key figure, identified by the number '19' (a code for 'El Nini'), managed to escape from them again, bringing joy and relief to his general. The song concludes with a stern warning to his adversaries: they better not come looking for him, because they will surely find him. He emphatically reiterates that the territory belongs to the Guzmán family, leaving no doubt about where his allegiance lies.

"LA PEOPLE" was released on June 22, 2023, as the eleventh track on Peso Pluma's third studio album, Génesis. The song is a collaboration with fellow singer-songwriter Tito Double P (Jesús Roberto Laija García), who is also Peso Pluma's cousin. It was written by Tito Double P, Jesús Camacho, Joel Portillo, and Netón Vega, and produced by Tito Double P and George Prajin.

The song was created within the burgeoning corridos tumbados scene, a genre that blends traditional Mexican corridos with elements of American hip-hop and trap music. The lyrical content, which explicitly references cartel activities and figures, quickly fueled rumors and discussions about Peso Pluma's alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. The track gained significant viral attention on social media platforms like TikTok, especially following the actual arrest of Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas ('El Nini') in November 2023, as the song was perceived as a direct account of his earlier evasion. This connection between the song's narrative and real-world events cemented its controversial status and popularity.

"LA PEOPLE" largely follows a free verse structure, which is typical for corridos that prioritize storytelling and narrative flow over complex rhyme schemes. The rhymes are often assonantal (based on vowel sounds) and irregular, appearing at the end of lines to provide a loose sense of structure without feeling forced. For example, 'Culiacán' rhymes with 'capital' and 'llevar'.

The song's rhythm is dictated by the fast-paced corrido tempo, often around 122-145 BPM, creating a driving and relentless feel. The vocal phrasing is rhythmic and closely follows the guitar's melodic lines, a characteristic of the genre. This interplay between the vocal rhythm and the instrumental backing creates the song's tense and energetic pulse. The rhythm is not just musical but also narrative; the quick tempo and steady beat mirror the high-stakes action of the lyrics, such as a high-speed escape, making the listener feel the adrenaline of the moment.

Musically, "LA PEOPLE" is a prime example of the corridos tumbados genre. It features traditional sierreño instrumentation, such as the prominent requinto guitar and charcheta (a type of sousaphone providing the bass line), but infuses them with the rhythmic cadence and swagger of modern trap and hip-hop. The tempo is upbeat and driving, creating a sense of urgency and tension that matches the lyrical narrative of a chase and escape.

Lyrically, the song employs a first-person narrative, placing the listener directly into the shoes of a cartel member. This technique creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity, drawing the audience into the story. The language is rich with regional slang (regionalismos) and coded language (claves) specific to the world of narcotrafficking, which serves to both authenticate the narrative for those familiar with the culture and add a layer of mystique for outsiders. The vocal delivery is confident and nonchalant, a stylistic choice that contrasts with the violent events being described, thereby amplifying the singer's portrayal of fearlessness and control.

"LA PEOPLE" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, solidifying Peso Pluma's status as a leading figure in the global explosion of corridos tumbados. The song, along with the album Génesis, performed well on international charts, charting on the Billboard Global 200 and reaching high positions on Latin-specific charts. Its popularity on platforms like TikTok and Spotify introduced a global audience to the raw narratives of narcoculture.

The song's direct references to active cartel members like 'El Nini' generated considerable controversy and discussion about the ethics of glorifying organized crime. This controversy was amplified when the real 'El Nini' was arrested months after the song's release, with many media outlets citing the song as part of his mythos. The song, and its sequel "LA PEOPLE II", are often cited as key examples of modern narcocorridos that function almost as real-time chronicles for the activities of cartels, blurring the line between music and journalism. This has led to public debate and, in some cases, accusations that artists like Peso Pluma have ties to the groups they sing about.

The symbolism and metaphors in this song are not analyzed yet.

The most significant recurring motif in "LA PEOPLE" is the assertion of identity and allegiance. The phrase "La banda de aquí sigue siendo un Guzmán, lo vuelvo a recalcar" ("The crew here is still a Guzmán, I'll stress it again") is the climactic declaration that is not repeated but serves as the song's ultimate point, reinforcing the entire narrative's purpose. The name 'Guzmán' is a powerful motif representing the 'Los Chapitos' faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Another recurring element is the reference to high-end, fashionable gear, such as "Tiernera en las botitas de oro una scar" ("Leg holster, golden boots, a SCAR rifle"), which is mentioned twice. This motif serves to build an image of the modern narco: not just a violent figure, but one who is also 'fresco' (fresh), stylish, and wealthy, blending tactical gear with luxury brands. This reflects a key aesthetic of the corridos tumbados movement.