Tubas and accordions, guns and cocaine. Welcome to the weird, violent world of narcocorridos, songs about and for Mexico’s drug lords. The performers aren’t the first musicians to identify with outlaws. But unlike the works of Johnny Cash or Biggie Smalls, the songs belted out by the cantantes de narcocorridos are often commissioned by cartel chiefs themselves. “They sound like country singers and function like the wedding singer from The Godfather,” says music writer Elijah Wald, who tracks the movement. Here are some of los más famosos. Check out their hokey paeans to criminal mayhem on YouTube, but be careful—the quality is as uneven as cheap blow.

El Movimiento Alterado

A supergroup whose slick video “Sanguinarios del M1” is a shout-out to a Sinaloa cartel chief with an accordion-backed chant of “We like to kill.” Three million YouTube views and counting.

Sample Lyrics

“Con un cuerno de chivo / y bazuka en la nuca / volando cabezas / al que se atraviesa” (With an AK / and a bazooka taking aim / blowing off the heads / of whoever gets in the way)

Los Tucanes de Tijuana

So mainstream they wrote for the Ministry of Tourism and got Grammy noms; so mob-friendly they’re banned in their namesake city.

Sample Lyrics

“Con un R-15 en mano / y un morral con granadas / en cada pierna una escuadra / y su chaleco de maya / todo vestido de negro / listo para la batalla” (With an R-15 in hand / and a satchel of grenades / a pistol on each leg / and a bulletproof vest / dressed in black / ready for battle)

Mario “El Cachorro” Delgado

His videos satirize cartel violence, replacing AKs with Super Soakers.

Sample Lyrics

“Su cartel ya lo conocen / le llaman La Vecindad / los contrarios por envidia / lo han querido asesinar / pero el ‘8’ no está solo / su gente sabe trozar” (His cartel is well-known / it’s called La Vecindad / His jealous enemies / want to take him out / but “8” isn’t alone / his people are killers, too)

Chuy Quintanilla

This ex-police commander celebrates the thugs he once chased.

Sample Lyrics

“Por ahí se oyen las metrallas / ya no es tanta la violencia / Todo está bien controlado / Señores hagan conciencia / Hora que ya tomó el mando El Señor Tony Tormenta” (You can hear the machine guns / but now the violence isn’t so bad / Everything is under control / Be careful / now that Tony Tormenta is in charge)

Sergio “El Shaka” Vega

In June, Vega was gunned down in his red Cadillac — one of at least eight singers killed since 2007.

Sample Lyrics

“Guerrilleros, traficantes / también revolucionarios / Dos pistoleros famosos / cuentan que ahí se juntaron. / Y muchas viejas valientes / muy elegantes llegaron.” (Warriors, smugglers / revolutionaries, too / Two famous gunslingers / tell of their fight / and many elegant women came to watch)