Ídolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sánchez
5.0/5
Critic Rating
5.0/5
Listener Rating
(English, Español) Imagine if Frank Sinatra went on stage every night with a gun in his waistband. Or if Tupac got into a shootout on stage at a rodeo. Well, Chalino Sánchez did just that. In this podcast, we examine the extraordinary life of the “King of Corridos,” and attempt to unravel the mystery of his death. Chalino’s story, his own narcocorrido, is the ultimate ride through the drug cartel world, the underbelly of the Mexican-American music industry and a murder mystery for the ages. Imagínate que Juan Gabriel se subiera al escenario cada noche con una pistol...
Critic Reviews
Score: 5
Lauren Passell • Podcast The Newsletter • Feb 7, 2022
"The podcast is a tribute to the many things Chalino paved the way for, from his music and style to a certain normalization of violence. The unique format leaves us with many questions but also a clear idea of Chalino as a person and the culture that he shaped. "
Score: 5
Fidel Martinez • LA Times • Feb 3, 2022
"What struck me about “Ídolo” is that it’s bilingual, which makes sense given how much Chalino is beloved on both sides of the border. Erick Galindo reported from the U.S. side and hosts the English episodes, while Alejandro Mendoza reported from Mexico and narrates the podcast in Spanish."
Score: 5
Javier Cabral • LA Taco • Feb 3, 2022
"The series wastes no time in hooking you into the mystery surrounding his death by inserting you directly into Chalino’s last concert in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The podcast is broken down with each conspiracy theory regarding the end of Chalino’s life converted into a complete episode, making it nearly a challenge for the listener not to binge it all. Galindo (host), born to two immigrants from Sinaloa, Mexico, applies an existential layer of art imitating life to his Chalino podcast. "
Listener Reviews
Score: 5
Imran A. • Jan 22, 2022
"Only listened to the trailer so far. Excited for the release. "
