In Mexico City, Mariel Colón, a lawyer, is making waves in the music industry with her latest music video, “La Señora.” In the video, she is seen arriving at a mansion with Emma Coronel, the wife of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Colón, under the stage name “Mariel La Abogada,” is leveraging her association with Guzmán to kickstart her music career, as regional Mexican music gains global popularity.

Colón, who worked as a defense lawyer for Guzmán during his U.S. trial, sees her connection to the former cartel leader as a door opener in the music industry. She grew up listening to Mexican ballads and always dreamt of becoming a singer, despite her family’s push for her to pursue a law degree. Colón joined Guzmán’s defense team in 2018, viewing it as a significant professional opportunity.

Guzmán, once among the most wanted men globally, led the Sinaloa Cartel in a violent battle for control of the drug trade before his extradition to the U.S. in 2017. Colón maintains regular contact with Guzmán, visiting him in a maximum-security prison in Colorado three times a month. She serenades him with Mexican classics and uses music to build rapport with him and other clients, including Mexican drug traffickers and Jeffrey Epstein.

While Colón’s music career began over a year ago, Coronel, released from prison last year, is launching her career as a model and social media influencer following her appearance in “La Señora.” The music video aims to offer Coronel work, a condition of her probation. The video features scenes based on Coronel’s life, sending a message of redemption and second chances.

Colón’s rise in the music industry aligns with a boom in Mexican music’s global popularity. Mexican artists like Peso Pluma have seen immense success, with Mexican music streaming increasing significantly on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. However, there is a debate over whether songs like narcocorridos romanticize narco-violence or reflect the harsh realities faced by many Mexicans.

Colón, who hasn’t glorified violence or drugs in her music, defends narcocorridos, stating that they reflect the audience’s intrigue about criminal lifestyles without necessarily celebrating them. As her music video with Coronel continues to gain views on YouTube, both women are expanding their careers in music and fashion, captivating audiences on a global scale.