As the debate over narcocorridos heats up, the original masters of the genre, Los Tigres del Norte, are back with a new EP that’s slyly more provocative than anything currently under scrutiny.
La Lotería, dropping May 22, features five songs that tackle topics like the effects of divorce on kids, and the title track, “La Lotería,” a corrido with biting social commentary where the devil card in the video bears the face of President Trump.
For Los Tigres—brothers Jorge Hernández, Hernán Hernández, Luis Hernández, Eduardo Hernández, and their cousin Oscar Lara—this is about staying true to their roots. “We’ve always tried to raise awareness with our music, and our goal has been to make songs that stand the test of time. That’s why “La Reina del Sur” is still relevant. That’s why “Jefe de Jefes” is still relevant,” says Luis Hernández, referencing two of their most iconic corridos from their over 40-year career. “One thing Arturo Pérez Reverte [author of the novel La Reina del Sur] said: ‘If you want to understand Mexico’s history, you need to take a look at Los Tigres del Norte’s discography.’”
The songs on La Lotería (Fonovisa) come with cinematic music videos directed by filmmaker Sergio Arau, who brings a visual storytelling flair to Los Tigres’ stories. The release coincides with Los Tigres’ concert at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 24, as well as the naming of a street in the city in their honor. Ahead of the EP’s launch, Billboard sat down with Los Tigres in Miami for an exclusive interview where they opened up about pretty much everything.
Here are three key takeaways. Watch the full interview above.
On the ban of narcocorridos in Mexico
“We’ve always told stories through our corridos. We don’t focus on the characters,” says Jorge Hernández. “We talk about the events that happen, the realities. With the younger generations, they have a completely different language and imagination when it comes to corridos. For us, corridos are about expressing yourself naturally—like delivering the news. Their language is more about imagination, but it means something to their generation. That’s why the government intervenes and all this controversy exists. We’re not for or against what any musical group does. But the most important thing is that, banned or not, you have to stay within the bounds of the law.”
On Trump and his immigration policies
“When [songwriter Luciano Luna] wrote ‘La Lotería,’ what’s happening now hadn’t even started,” says Hernán Hernández of the spicy single. “For people who don’t have the means to live in another country, they want to come to the U.S. That’s the reality. And every president—not just this one, though he’s the most infamous—has tried to crack down on immigration. But laws aside, you’ve got to have a heart. Trump uses laws from as far back as the 1800s to justify his policies. But being a leader isn’t just about laws—it’s about compassion. If the world’s powers don’t lead with love, the world’s going to fall apart.”
Their message to immigrants
“The message is simple,” says Luis Hernández. “Most people who come to this country are just trying to find a better life. For years, Latinos have been the backbone of this country’s growth because the work we do here, no one else does. And as generations have progressed, we’ve gotten educated and moved forward. We need to keep improving, especially now that the minority has become the majority. We need to focus on education, teach those coming after us to vote, and remind them of their roots. This generation, as they say, isn’t from here or there. But once you understand your roots, it’s much easier to understand the message.”
Watch the full video here.