Uriel Henao, born January 29, 1969, in Puerto Araujo, Cimitarra, Santander, is a Colombian singer-songwriter celebrated as "The King of Forbidden Corridos." His musical journey began at 13 when he participated in a local contest, and he recorded his first song in 1989 with the group La Fórmula Cinco. By 1992, Uriel Henao had transitioned to popular Colombian music, forming his band Los Tigres del Sur, which evolved from vallenato to corridos. In 1997, he gained nationwide attention with the release of Corridos Prohibidos Vol. 1, followed by a series of albums that explored themes of Colombia’s armed conflict, narcotrafficking, and politics. Notable works include "La Kenworth Plateada," "La Historia del Guerrillero y el Paraco," and "Son Unas Ratas," cementing his reputation as a bold storyteller. Uriel Henao’s discography, spanning highlights like La Ley de la Vida (1994), El Azote Norteño (1997), and Siempre Seré el Primero (2005), showcases his unique ability to blend traditional rhythms with narratives rooted in Colombian reality. Through his controversial yet resonant corridos, Uriel Henao became a significant figure in Colombian popular music, capturing the complexities of his nation’s history and culture.
