Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Narco-rapper 5050 who used to sing about Mexican cartels before switching to Christian themes has been found dead with a gunshot wound to the head.

According to local media, the popular hip hop star, real name Alejandro Barret, was abducted in his hometown of Matamoros in the north-eastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas on 30th September.

His body was found in the middle of a field close to his home with a gunshot wound to his head.

Reports said that he used to compose songs dedicated to the notorious Noreste Cartel in the state before stopping in 2016.

He recently said in a radio interview that he dedicated his songs to “those who pay me” before turning to religion and claiming that “God has given me proof of my existence”, according to local media.

The hip hop star then started recording music dedicated to his newfound belief in religion.

Barret said: “Lots of wealthy people came to me, asking me to write songs about them, businessmen, drug dealers, lots of people.”

However, last year he revealed that he had returned to writing narco-rap songs again.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the local authorities are investigating the rapper’s death, and his family have not made any statements so far.

Last week, suspected members of the Los Metros criminal gang, a faction of the Gulf Cartel which is allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), released several videos of them patrolling the streets of Tamaulipas where Barret was found dead.

The Gulf Cartel and the Noreste Cartel are allegedly involved in an ongoing turf war in the Mexican state which borders with the US.

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