Songfacts®:

• Born in central Mexico's Guanajuato, Junior H (real name Antonio Herrera Perez) is a rapper who specializes in corrido tumbado (trap corrido) music.
  
  At just 12 years old, he began writing music with a friend even though they didn't know how to play any instruments. Fast forward to age 14 and Junior learned how to record music in a studio, kickstarting his musical career.
  
  While still in high school, Junior H self-released the viral video single "No Eh Cambiado" before being signed by Rancho Humilde, who issued his debut EP, Atrapado en un Sueño (Trapped in a Dream) in 2020, along with two full-length projects.
  
  Junior's sound is characterized by his use of requinto and reedy baritone, as well as traditional corrido instrumentation such as tuba and percussion. He has collaborated with several other musicians, including Eslabon Armado ("Dos Morritas") and Natanael Cano ("Las 3 Torres").
  
  On February 9, 2023, Junior H dropped "El Azul," a track in collaboration with Peso Pluma. The song swiftly became a hit, landing Junior H his first spot on the Hot 100 chart.
• "El Azul" is a corridos tumbados track that tells the story of a notorious drug lord. As a form of Mexican narrative song or ballad, corridos have a long history of recounting heroic struggles. In the case of "corridos tumbados," the genre incorporates electronic beats, reggaeton, and hip-hop elements for a unique and modern sound.
  
  With its vivid storytelling and powerful delivery, "El Azul" captures the dark allure of the drug lord's world.
• The song is believed to be about Juan José Esparragoza Moreno, aka "Azul." A former federal detective, Moreno joined forces with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and "El Chapo" Guzmán to found the infamous Sinaloa Cartel, which is widely regarded as one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.
  
  As one of the most influential drug lords in Mexico, Esparragoza Moreno has links to many high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. Despite being one of the most wanted drug lords in Mexico and the United States, he has evaded capture for decades because of his highly secretive and low-profile nature.
  
  The nickname "El Azul," which means "The Blue One" in English, derives from Esparragoza Moreno's complexion, which is so dark that his skin appears to be blue.