Mexican musicians write 'corridos' in Charlie Kirk's honor

Several Mexican artists have used social media this past week to share musical compositions in honor of slain activist Charlie Kirk. The songs arrived on digital platforms in the form of "corridos," a typical genre from the country, often used to celebrate influential men. The phenomenon went viral within hours.

At least three "corridos" dedicated to Kirk have surfaced since Thursday on TikTok and Instagram, with lyrics that mostly offer details of the media-worthy murder. They also wish "a peaceful rest" for the 31-year-old shot during an event in Utah.

"With a shot in the neck they stole his life"

One of the first to appear on social media was artist Ramiro Reyes, who posted a video on TikTok performing a song in honor of Kirk. The lyrics narrated in Spanish the context of the incident and its consequences.

"With a shot in the neck they stole his life / Charlie Kirk, activist, he was 31 years old," Reyes sings in a recording where he is playing the guitar and wearing a typical Norteño hat.

With the title "Tragedia in Utah" ("Tragedy in Utah") written above the video, Reyes sings:

"At a rally in Utah, his life ended / On Wednesday, September 10, while giving a talk at Utah Valley University / The man could not have imagined that at that rally in Utah, his life would end / Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, his life could not be saved."

The Mexican, who accumulated more than 1.2 million plays on his post, commented at the end of the video: "Rest in peace, it is sad and, well, violence is unacceptable, people, for no one, it is not justifiable."

"What happened to Charlie should never have happened"

Compa Camaney, vocalist of Conjunto Diamante Norteño, also released his "corrido" for Charlie Kirk on Friday.

"Who could imagine that Charlie Kirk's life would suddenly be taken away from him?" the song's lyrics begin.

"I am one of those who do not wish ill to anyone / What happened to Charlie should never have happened, but no one can change destiny, gentlemen / The man who killed Charlie is now behind bars after fleeing / The police arrested him / They say that his own father handed him over to justice," the song's lyrics say.

The composition concludes with, "Friends of Donald Trump, be very careful / Stop being so trusting / Protect yourselves from assassinations."

Another "corrido" for Kirk

The above were joined by a Los Angeles band, Los Comandantes de California, who posted a video on their own social media Friday of what appeared to be an impromptu tribute to Kirk at a performance in East Los Angeles.

"For my 'compadre' Charlie," the singer announces in a recording.

Then the band begins to sing: "I'm going to sing a 'corrido' for you / He was talking to his people, something bad happened / A shot hit him in the neck, that's what killed him." The video, although very short in length, reached millions of views in a few hours.

The responses to the three videos are marked by the interaction of Spanish-speaking users expressing their condolences to Kirk.

The spontaneous expressions of respect for the activist and podcaster continue days after the terrible incident, and have been filled with statements of lament, prayer and other expressions in his honor throughout Latin America and the world.

In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum took a moment to condemn the murder during a press conference last Thursday, declaring that her government was "against any violence, particularly political violence."