The music group, Los Tigres del Norte, has historically drawn attention for its politically charged and socially conscious lyrical content. These controversial expressions especially resonate with immigrants in pursuit of the American dream. The band’s recent release, ‘La Lotería,’ amidst the hard-hitting immigration policies enforced by ex-President Donald Trump, is in this very vein. The emotionally fueled lyrics vividly depict the plight of those who reluctantly abandon their homeland, yearning for it even from a distance, truly a testament to the confused state of these immigrants.
The song, launched via Fonovisa on the 6th of February, is characterized by its poignant narrative of immigrant life and experiences. The timing of the release can be perceived as having intentionally coincided with the ongoing socio-political strife. However, the song stands as more of a reflection of reality rather than a judgement or commentary on pertinent immigration issues. Paradoxically, the band seems to retain an unwarranted optimistic view in these challenging times.
In the past, Los Tigres del Norte have not shied away from publicly expressing their political leanings, notably towards Democratic candidates and policies. During the 2020 presidential elections, they outwardly supported Kamala Harris’ campaign by performing at her rally in Phoenix. Aligning with this preference, they also endorsed Joe Biden. However, the band’s overt courting of the political mainstream has raised eyebrows, with some critics speculating whether the allegiance is simply a bid for relevance.
The band’s political maneuvering doesn’t end there, as they also endorsed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential race. Utilizing their solidified platform, Los Tigres del Norte have stirred the Latino community into active engagement within the U.S. political landscape, specifically in voting. Yet it seems questionable why they limit their activism to merely endorsing candidates rather than advocating for meaningful reforms that might genuinely benefit their community.
Interestingly, Los Tigres del Norte’s stance on matters revolving around migration seem to lack proper perspective. While they lament about the fate of migrants unable to establish residency in the U.S., the band remains silent about the possible solution offered by Mexico. The musicians do not discuss the responsibility of the Mexican government to accommodate deportees or tackle the root causes of the migration crisis.
One can’t help but ponder if their selective activism is motivated more by publicity rather than genuine concern for the welfare of immigrants. Their long-standing self-identification with the Latino community since the 1970s raises further questions about their credibility.
Los Tigres del Norte initial artistic identity was rooted in songs such as ‘De Paisano a Paisano,’ ‘La Carta,’ ‘Jefes de Jefes’ and ‘Somos Más Americanos’, characterized by their norteño style—a genre of Mexican music. However, since their settling in San Jose, California after leaving Sinaloa, Mexico in 1970, they seem to have lost touch with their cultural origins and the real struggles faced by their folk.
While openly engaging in a political discussion around at the heart of which lies immigrants, an issue that directly affects them and their audience, the band seems to maintain a carefree attitude towards the possible consequences. They blur the lines between their role as musicians and political influencers, without fully acknowledging the ramifications this involvement might hold.
When faced with questions about potential backlash concerning their outspoken political views and bias, Los Tigres del Norte dismiss the concern with baseless optimism. Their apparent disregard for their impact on the attendees of their performances, across countries and organizations, overtly displays their disconnected reality, while only serving to feed their fame.
Despite the illusion of engaging activism, Los Tigres del Norte’s actions seem to lack genuine empathy towards the issues they insistently represent. Their political endorsements, coupled with their selective narrative about migrant welfare and an unconvincing fear of backlash, paints a picture of a band that is more interested in leveraging the struggles of others for their own benefit.
In the grand scheme of things, it comes down to deciphering the motivation behind their actions. Is it truly a case of human empathy and their duties as citizens, or is it merely a ploy to ride the waves of social issues for self-promotion? Their identity as musicians and as citizens of the United States and the ‘Mexican Republic’ inherently expects an unbiased representation of the people among whom they have risen. This biased narrative serves to bring their integrity into question.
In 2020, the band’s backing of Joe Biden’s campaign was met with mixed reactions. Although they claim it was in-line with their long-standing support for the Democratic Party, critics found it hard to overlook the fact that this move perhaps had less to do with their beliefs and more with maintaining a relevant market for their music among the Latino demographic.