A Latin Grammy-winning band was forced to cancel an upcoming festival appearance when a severed head and an alleged death threat were found in the Mexico border town of Tijuana.
Grupo Firme, a Mexican regional band known for their Sinaloan music, was scheduled to perform at the Mazatlán Carnival in the resort town of Mazatlan on March 1 before the harrowing message was found scrawled out on a banner.
“Grupo Firme if you perform at the Mazatlán Carnival we will kill you all,” the alleged drug cartel banner read, according to images posted to social media, the Mexican newspaper El Universal reported.
The unidentified human head was left behind with the sign, placed on top of a green box on the side of a highway in the La Gloria neighborhood of Tijuana on Tuesday.
Human remains were allegedly found inside the cooler, according to the outlet.
Prosecutors in the Baja California State opened an investigation into the roadside “cephalic region,” discovery.
Police didn’t release further information into the investigation.
The gruesome threat, just south of the US-Mexico border, was found over 1,000 miles away from where the festival was being held at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mazatlan in the state of Sinaloa.
Music VIP Entertainment, the band’s label company, announced the cancelation of the March 1 show.
“The well-being of those who have accompanied us on this journey: our family, which is you, our fans, is and always will be the most important thing. We hope to meet again soon to sing, celebrate and continue making history together,” the company said.
Hours after the announcement, Mexican singers Josi Cuen and Jorge Medina said their performance at the carnival king’s crowning would be canceled.
The duo didn’t specify the reason.
“Maybe it’s the Sane ones who are crazy… and this upside-down world is what’s wrong. be happy..it’s free,” Medina wrote on X.
a lo mejor los que estamos locos somos los Cuerdos..y este mundo alrevés es el que esta mal.
— Jorge Medina (@j_medina37) February 26, 2025
sean felices..es Gratis! #FelizMiercolesParaTodos pic.twitter.com/80FqNTktgI
The Tijuana-based band was formed in 2014 and saw success with several singles released in 2020.
Grupo Firme, known for songs including “El Beneficio De La Duda” and “Que Onda Perdida,” have won multiple Spanish-speaking awards including Premios Juventud and Premios Lo Nuestro.
In 2021 they were named Best Banda Album at the Latin Grammy Awards for “Nos divertimos logrando lo impossible.”
They have collaborated with several artists including Demi Lovato’s 2024 “Chula.”
Tuesday’s death threat is the latest from suspected cartels to hinder music groups performing in Mexico.
Police in the northern state of Sanora offered protection to several artists including 23-year-old Natanael Cano after they were targets of death threats.
Rapper Peso Pluma and California-based regional band Fuerza Regida were forced to cancel shows in 2023 because of threats, El Universal reported.
