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life imitating art: rap and regional mexican lyrics predict death and violence

"Cuando llegaron las balas, no era advertencia, ni concidencia, era la muerte en mi cara, tiempo que es vida, blanco a la mira, asesinato me tenian rodeado, en mi mente, mi familia, en minutos repase mi vida." (When the bullets came, it wasn't a warning or coincidence, I was face to face with death. Time equals life and they had me surrounded. My family was on my mind as my life flashed by in minutes.) - Gerardo Oritz "Cara a La Muerte" (2011)
Earlier this year, Gerardo Ortiz escaped death after his caravan was ambushed by gunmen. His cousin/manager, Ramiro Caro, was killed in the shootout along with Ortiz's driver.
"I see death around the corner, the pressure's getting to me, I no longer trust my homies, them phonies tried to do me, smoking too much weed, got me paranoid, stressed, pack a gat and my vest under my clothes when I dress." - 2Pac "Death Around the Corner" (1995)
In 1996, two years after surving a robbery in which he was shot five times, Tupac Shakur was gunned down after a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas. Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, who was sitting next to Shakur as their car left a casino, was unharmed.
"Yo voy a dejar en mis funerales, todos mis gastos pagados, que toquen los Shakas, cuando ya me estén velando, que suene muy fuerte y trastumbe el corrido de mi ultimo contrabando." (At my funeral, I'm going to leave all my debts paid, I want Los Shakas to play. During my vigil, I want them to play the corrido of 'My Final Contraband,' and play it loud.) -Sergio Vega "Mi Ultimo Contrabando" (circa 2008-2010)
In 2010, just hours after speaking with journalists to deny rumors that he had been killed, Sergio Vega was shot to death while driving to a venue where he was scheduled to perform.
"Before I go to sleep I check the beds and the closet, so I can sleep safe, not too many keep a mil in the briefcase, infrareds help me sleep safe but wait, that's not all, MCs have the gall, to pray and pray for my downfall." - Notorious B.I.G. "My Downfall" (1997)
One year after the death of Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. was shot and killed after attending a VIBE magazine party in Los Angeles. He was 24.
"Ya después de muerto, no todo es igual, una tumba fría, es la que te espera, se acabo todito, se llego el final, aquellos amigos, que decían muy serios, aquí esta mi mano, esta es mi amistad, todo estuvo bueno, ni una cosa es cierto, pura hipocresía, pura falsedad." (Once you're dead, nothing is the same. A cold tomb is what awaits, everything is done and has reached its end. Those friends who used to say, 'here's a helping hand' with a straight face, 'this is my friend, it's all good,' none of it is true, it's nothing but hypocrisy and falsehood.) - Chalino Sánchez "Ya Despues Muerto" (1992)
In 1992, months after being shot during a live performance, Rosalino "Chalino" Sánchez was shot and killed after a concert in Sinaloa, Mexico. He was 31.
"I feel the rain on my window pane, wakin' up in cold sweats, havin' dreams of goin out with a bang. Shit – my papa died by the gun, I'll die by the gun, and if I ever have a son he'll probably die by the same." - Dolla "Georgia Nights" (2009)
Born Roderick Anthony Burton, rapper Dolla was shot and killed in 2009 during an altercation with another man in a Los Angeles shopping mall. He was 21.
"Adios a los que se quedan, siempre les quise cantar, suerte que la gozen mucho, ya no hay tiempo de llorar. No lloren por el que muere, que para siempre se va, lloren por el que se queja, si lo pueden ayudar." (Goodbye to those who remain, I always wanted to sing for you, good luck and enjoy everything because there's no time to cry. Don't cry for my death, because that's how it goes, cry for those who suffer, because they can still be helped.) - Adan "Chalinillo" Sánchez "Nadie Es Eterno" (2004)
Adán Sanchéz, son of legendary corrido singer Chalino Sánchez, was only 19 years old when he died in a tragic car accident while touring in Mexico.
"It seems like my life's been cursed, ever since I was a child, and how will I make it? I won't, that's how." - Big L "I Won't" (Released in 2010)
In 1999, Harlem-based rapper Big L (real name: Lamont Coleman) died at the age of 24 after being shot nine times. Although the murder remains unsolved, many believe it was related to Coleman's brother, who was imprisoned on drug charges at the time of the shooting.
"Quiero charlar con la muerte, antes que acabe conmigo, y decirle que por cuanto, me deja troteando vivo, por si allá en el otro mundo, no haya mujeres ni vino." (I want to talk with death, before it leads to my end. I hope it keeps me alive, in case there's no women or wine in that other world.) - Valentin Elizalde "Quiero Charlar Con La Muerte" (2005)
In 2006, Valentín "El Gallo De Oro" Elizalde was shot and killed after a performance in Reynosa, Mexico. Elizalde was rumored to have been killed for performing the song "Mis Enemigos (My Enemies)," which reportedly angered drug cartel hitmen.
"The same shiesty cats that you hang with, and do your thang with, could set you up and wet you up, nigga peep the language." - Gang Starr "Moment of Truth" (1998)
Guru, one half of legendary rap group Gang Starr (along with producer DJ Premier), died last year after succumbing to cancer. He was 48. Since Guru's death, his friend and business partner, Solar, has been accused of intentionally neglecting Guru's health in an effort to take Guru's royalties, property and other assets.
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For years, hip hop artists have made headlines for being involved in experiences that sound like something straight out of their own songs. Over the last few years, regional Mexican singers have started to do the same. Here are 10 songs that came eerily close to predicting the fates of the artists who performed them.

9 comments

Clarisa

This makes aaaa lot of sense

1 year 4 days ago
junior1213

It isn't so much that they're living it then subsequently rapping about it, but instead artists rapping about and then going out and doing it; Tupac did the same thing, and look what happened to him. These artists already know what they're doing, and that it isn't what they should be doing, so they just rap about the most logical consequence of their actions. It's nothing poetic, nor some "psychic" vision; just a self-fulfilling prophecy.

1 year 3 weeks ago
izzy_93

Well its Mostly Cus The Artists Be The Only Ones That Really Know What's Going On In There Lives && Who They HAve Beef With && Stuff, && Off Course There Not Gunna Putt Anyone On Blast Like Yeah I'm So& so's target. They Probably Had Like A Presentimiento of wuss gonn happen, it Happens to everyone.

1 year 3 weeks ago
muneca

lovin the song "morir y existir" :)

1 year 4 weeks ago
lalaingrid78

damn

1 year 4 weeks ago
Jessica_Yañez

I just want to know why every time I click next it never changes.

1 year 4 weeks ago
Nelly

I thought it was just meeee lol

1 year 4 weeks ago
Jessica_Yañez

lol yea I thought it was just me also or my internet or something

1 year 4 weeks ago
Jessica_Yañez

I'm guessing it depends what browser you use. I switched over to google chrome and it works fine.

1 year 4 weeks ago