Valentin Elizalde

Valentín Elizalde was a popular Mexican singer who specialized in the genres of banda and corrido. He was nicknamed "The Golden Rooster" for his off-key style and his charisma. He started his musical career in 1998, performing in local festivals and events. He signed with Ayana Musical, a record label that gave him artistic freedom and support. He released his first album, Regresan los Mafiosos, in 1999, followed by several other successful albums, such as Traición Federal, Y se Parece a Ti, Volveré a Amar, Soy Así, and Vencedor. Some of his most famous songs include "Vete Ya", "Ebrio de Amor", "Vete Con Él", "Vuelve Cariñito", "Cómo Me Duele", "Mi Virgencita", and "A Mis Enemigos". Some of his songs were also narcocorridos, which praised or criticized drug lords and cartels. He was nominated posthumously for the Grammy Awards in 2007. He was married to Gabriela Sabag, with whom he had three children, but they divorced in 2003. He had a romantic relationship with Marisol Castro, a TV host, until his death. He was murdered on November 25, 2006, after leaving a concert in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. His vehicle was ambushed by a group of armed men, who shot him and his companions with high-powered weapons. He died instantly, along with his driver and his assistant. His cousin, Fausto Elizalde, was wounded but survived. It is widely believed that he was killed for his performance of the song "A Mis Enemigos", which allegedly offended the drug trafficking gang Los Zetas. His death caused a wave of grief and outrage among his fans and fellow artists. He was buried in his hometown of Guasave, Sinaloa, where a mausoleum was built in his honor.