Chuy Montana, a rising star in the corridos scene, tragically met his end, prompting Billboard to reach out to the Tijuana police for details. The Tijuana native, known by his real name Jesús Cárdenas, was associated with Street Mob Records, a label led by Jesús Ortiz Paz (JOP) of Fuerza Regida fame.
The news of Montana's passing sent shockwaves through the music industry. Street Mob Records issued a statement on Instagram expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their colleague and brother. Montana's body was discovered along a highway linking Rosarito to Tijuana, bearing multiple gunshot wounds and found handcuffed, suggesting he was kidnapped before his demise.
Montana's career trajectory was on a rapid ascent, with significant contributions to the corridos tumbados and belikeada movement. His online presence was substantial, with over 816,000 monthly listens on Spotify. Montana often showcased his musical talents by performing with his guitar for audiences at the Tijuana-San Ysidro border crossing, where he caught the attention of JOP.
The circumstances surrounding Montana's death remain murky, with investigators suggesting a possible attempt to escape captors, leading to a fatal confrontation. Montana's music, particularly his hit single "Porte de Scarface," had garnered millions of plays on Spotify, showcasing his rising prominence in the industry.
Montana's untimely demise has reignited concerns about the safety of artists in genres associated with contentious themes. Tijuana authorities have taken measures to address the glorification of violence in music, including banning narcocorridos in public performances. The tragic loss of Chuy Montana adds to a disturbing trend of violence against artists in the corridos and narcocorridos genres, echoing past tragedies involving prominent figures like Chalino Sánchez and Valentín Elizalde.
