Mi Ultimo Contrabando

Beto Quintanilla's 'Mi Ultimo Contrabando' is a song that delves into the world of a smuggler facing the end of his life. The lyrics are a final wish, a testament to the lifestyle that the protagonist has led. Quintanilla, known for his narcocorridos—a genre that tells stories about the drug trade and its players—paints a vivid picture of a man who wants to leave the world as he lived in it: surrounded by the trappings of his trade.

The song's protagonist requests a funeral that reflects his life. He wants to be dressed well, with gold jewelry, holding an AK-47 (referred to as 'cuerno de chivo') in one hand and a kilo of drugs in the other. This imagery is powerful and speaks to the bravado and pride often associated with the narcoculture. The mention of Saint Peter and Saint John suggests a reckoning with the afterlife, where the protagonist is uncertain if heaven will accept him, so he jests that perhaps the devil will.

The funeral described is one of excess and loyalty, with only true friends in attendance—those who are part of the same 'business.' The protagonist wants his grave adorned with drugs and wishes to be buried with his truck, a symbol of his power and success. The song is a celebration of a life lived on the edge and an unapologetic embrace of the smuggler's identity. It's a narrative that challenges conventional morality and reflects a subculture that often glorifies outlaws.