Mexican Rapper Lefty SM Passes Away at 31 After Fatal Shooting in Zapopan
The Mexican rap community is grieving the loss of a rising star, Lefty SM, who was tragically gunned down near his Zapopan, Jalisco home on Saturday night. He was just 31 years old.
Known as Juan Carlos Sauceda in real life, Lefty SM was a prominent figure in the rap scene, collaborating with some of the genre’s biggest names, including Santa Fe Klan, Dharius, C-Kan, MC Davo, and El Komander. He was renowned for his tracks celebrating Mexican identity and culture, such as “Soy Mexicano,” “Por Mi México,” and “Ingrata.”
Reports suggest that unknown assailants targeted the artist, firing two shots at him as he was leaving his residence in the La Cima neighborhood of Zapopan, near Guadalajara. He was rushed to a local hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
His record label, Alzada Records, confirmed his passing with a heartfelt statement on its Instagram account on Sunday morning. The label expressed, “Dear Alzada friends and family, with profound sadness, we’re informing you about the death of our brother, Lefty SM, Juan Carlos Sauceda. Our love and prayers are with his wife María Isabel and their two daughters.”
The news of Lefty SM’s untimely death sent shockwaves through his fanbase and the rap community. Fellow rapper MC Davo, who had shared the stage with Lefty SM at Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City just the night before, posted a tearful video expressing his disbelief.
Santa Fe Klan, a frequent collaborator, also posted a photo of the two together, struggling to accept the news. Other artists like Dharius, C-Kan, Neto Peña, and El Komander paid tribute to Lefty SM and offered support to his family.
As of now, the motive behind the shooting remains a mystery, with no arrests made. The government of Jalisco is expected to release an official report on the incident in due course.
Lefty SM embarked on his music journey in 1992 in his hometown of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. He launched his YouTube channel in 2017 and quickly gained popularity in the Mexican urban music scene. His recent work included a remix of “Por Mi México,” featuring some of Mexico’s most influential rappers, released on August 25.
Lefty SM will be remembered as one of Mexico’s most talented and passionate rappers, leaving behind a musical legacy that celebrated his heritage and served as an inspiration to many.