This week, an artist known for his Mexican folk music began sharing original compositions on social media to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, through a traditional Corrid, which typically celebrates significant figures.
Corrid songs often use instruments like trumpets and accordions to both tell stories and pay tribute to individuals. These songs narrate tales of real people and legendary heroes, and crafting a Corrid for someone is seen as a profound mark of respect.
At least three artists started sharing original Corrids to honor Kirk on Tiktok and Instagram from Thursday onward, with lyrics focused largely on detailing his assassination and wishing him peace.
Kirk was widely recognized as a conservative commentator and political activist, particularly for founding Turning Point USA, an organization aimed at empowering young conservatives—especially on college campuses. Recently, he had been touring the country promoting his “American Comeback Tour,” which facilitates political discussions among students. Known for encouraging open dialogues, he often engaged with opposing viewpoints. He is survived by his wife, Erica, and their two children, passing away at just 31 years old.
Tragically, during a speech at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Kirk was shot in the neck by a gunman identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Reports indicated that messages reflecting leftist views were found among the ammunition related to Robinson.
In the wake of this violence, artist Ramilo Reyes shared a video on Tiktok featuring an original tribute to Kirk, with lyrics in Spanish describing the circumstances surrounding his assassination.
“They took his life, activist Charlie Kirk was just 31,” Reyes sings. “A meeting in Utah ended his life. On September 10th, he was speaking at Tani University, unaware that this would be his last.”
“Rest in peace, it’s tragic, and, you know, violence just isn’t right,” Reyes expressed after the performance.
@inedito05_oficial #Charlie Kirk
On Friday, artist Compa Camany along with his band Conjunto Diamante Nortenho released their own Corrid for Charlie.
“Who could foresee that Charlie Kirk’s life would be taken away so abruptly?” the lyrics ponder. “We can’t overlook this. It happened in Utah, and no one could stop it. News of this tragedy is spreading, leaving everyone shaken and afraid.”
“I’m one of those who desires no harm to anyone/What has happened? Elle Charlie the song continues, “It was never meant to be, but fate cannot be changed, sir.”
“Friends of Donald Trump, be cautious, don’t let your guard down, and safeguard yourselves from potential harm,” the song concludes.
@compacamaney El Corrido de Charlie Kirk #charliekirkspeech @.compositorpepe.sanchez #corridos
Additionally, the Los Angeles band Los Commandants de California aired what seemed to be an impromptu tribute to Kirk during a performance in East Los Angeles on Friday.
“For my partner Elle Charlie, I’ll sing you a Corrid,” the vocalist stated. “He was addressing his audience, sharing something unfortunate, and then the bullet struck him in the neck, leading to his demise.”
@loscomandantesdecali Corrido del Charlie Kirk ️#corridos #charliekirk #parati #fyp #Norteno
Responses to all three videos were filled with comments from users expressing admiration for Kirk. The term Compa is endearingly used here, meaning something akin to “close friend.” This spontaneous display of respect followed days of mourning and prayers in honor of Kirk from Latin American and Spanish-Portuguese speakers. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico took a moment during a press conference on Thursday to denounce the assassination, emphasizing her administration’s stance against violence, particularly politically motivated violence.
Elsewhere in Latin America, libertarian Argentine president Javier Milei, who had met Kirk in Florida last year, shared a photo of them together, commending him as “an incredible individual.” He described Kirk’s assassination as a brutal act amid a growing wave of leftist political violence in the region, arguing that the left consistently embodies a violent and hateful force.
Santiago Oría, a videographer affiliated with Milei’s Liberty Advances party, referred to Kirk as “one of us” and posted a video featuring both him and Milei.
Meanwhile, gatherings took place outside the American embassy in Madrid, where attendees left flowers and candles for Kirk and organized Catholic prayers for his family. Kirk was known for his devout Christianity, often encouraging younger hearts to pursue Christian family values centered on faith.
Kirk’s assassination is part of an unsettling trend of violence against young conservative figures across Latin America. This year alone, the prominent conservative candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed in front of a crowd in Ecuador, while Colombian candidate Miguel Uribe Turbey faced a similar fate, succumbing to his injuries after being shot during a campaign event.
