El Mal Lyrics (English Translation) – Camille, Zoe Saldaña & Karla Sofía Gascón

“El Mal” is a spanish song by Camille, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón, written by Camille, Clément Ducol, and Jacques Audiard, produced by Clément Ducol and Camille, and released on Release’s official YouTube channel on September 3, 2024. The song presents a raw and intense narrative, exposing the deep-seated corruption within political and criminal institutions. With a dark, theatrical atmosphere and striking lyrical imagery, El Mal serves as both a denunciation and a warning, illustrating the pervasive power of injustice and the reckoning that inevitably follows.

Through its verses, El Mal critiques figures of authority who exploit their positions for personal gain, from government officials to law enforcement and cartel-affiliated politicians. The lyrics portray a world where crime and governance are intertwined, where bribery and fear dictate justice, and where silence enables continued oppression. However, amid the bleak reality, voices of defiance emerge, particularly through the mention of Emilia Pérez, who symbolizes resistance against a corrupt system. The song builds momentum through its repeated chorus, emphasizing that those who engage in deceit and exploitation will ultimately face the consequences of their actions.

El Mal Details

Song	El Mal
Artists	Camille, Zoe Saldaña & Karla Sofía Gascón
Written By	Camille, Clément Ducol & Jacques Audiard
Produced By	Clément Ducol & Camille
Label	Release
Language	Spanish
Released Date	Sep 3, 2024

El Mal (English Translation) Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Look at the chemist, chemist
They named him minister of something
The chemist
He recently ordered the killing of his partner and family
Fuck you
And what did they do with those corpses?
Á-Á-Á-Acid
Look at Judge Santos
Look at him, he doesn’t care about anything
Only the children
The drug dealers shoot them
They take them out of all their hometowns
In exchange for that, Santos reduces the trials for lack of evidence

[Chorus]
Talk, these people talk
But now they’re going to pay, pay, pay
Talk, these people talk
But now they’re going to pay, pay

[Interlude]
You’re taking advantage of me
Everyone knows you
Nobody knows me or just a little
I’m Emilia Pérez
A Mexican woman
A woman like the rest

[Verse 2]
Look at the secretary of so-called “public” education
Specialist in ghost companies
Today his contracts, yes yes, are real
But the so-called “schools” are not built
Now, tell us, Chucho
Where did you get your jet, your pool, your hotel?
Look at the “Gober”, governor
Who voted for him, the people or the cartel?
Ah, he bought, oh, yes, one by one the votes of the peasants
Pay, pay the cartel, sweetie
They are already sitting on your fucking throne

[Chorus]
Talk, these people talk
But now they are going to pay, pay, pay
Talk, these people talk
But now they are going to pay, pay

[Interlude]
But thank God
I have an exceptional woman at my side
Rita Mora Castro
She is intelligence walking
Intelligence walking

[Verse 3]
Look at the lame man
You are not lame from birth
In your next fucking late payment
You will end up in the wheelchair
The one who lost his hand knows it well
Be very punctual if you are corrupt
Look at dear Gabriel Mendoza
He goes with his new woman, his new wife
Very young, very blonde, blonde

[Chorus]
Talk, these people talk
But now they are going to pay, pay, pay pay
They talk, these people talk
But now they are going to pay, they are going to pay

[Outro]
Losing a loved one is a tragedy
Losing their remains is a sentence
It is a sentence
It is a sentence

El Mal Meaning

[Verse 1]
The opening verse sets the tone for the song’s unflinching critique of corruption. The “chemist,” now a minister, is depicted as a ruthless figure who eliminates his former allies without remorse. The mention of dissolving bodies in acid underscores the brutality that lies beneath his power. Judge Santos, another corrupt figure, is presented as indifferent to justice, reducing sentences for criminals in exchange for bribes, even as drug cartels continue to murder children and displace entire communities. Camille, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón deliver these lines with a sense of urgency, exposing the systemic failures of those entrusted with power.

[Chorus]
The chorus serves as a forceful refrain, highlighting the gap between rhetoric and reality. While corrupt individuals may “talk” to justify their actions, the repetition of “now they are going to pay” suggests an imminent reckoning. This phrase functions as both a warning and a declaration of justice, emphasizing the song’s central message of accountability.

[Interlude]
In this section, Emilia Pérez introduces herself as an ordinary Mexican woman, yet one whose presence carries significance. She acknowledges that she has been overlooked in contrast to the well-known figures of corruption, but her voice is now rising. This interlude acts as a turning point, shifting from merely exposing corruption to introducing a counterforce that challenges the status quo.

[Verse 2]
The second verse continues its sharp critique, focusing on the Secretary of Education, who profits from fraudulent contracts while failing to construct real schools. This extends beyond individual corruption, pointing to the systemic nature of exploitation, where public resources are siphoned away while communities remain underserved. The governor, or “Gober,” is also implicated, accused of securing his election through cartel influence rather than the people’s will. The sarcastic use of “sweetie” when referring to his submission to organized crime further underscores the theme of political puppetry.

[Chorus]
The return of the chorus reinforces the inevitability of justice. The repetition intensifies, strengthening the song’s tone of defiance and moral reckoning.

[Interlude]
Here, Rita Mora Castro is introduced as a symbol of intelligence and strength. The emphasis on her intellect suggests that resistance is not only about defiance but also about strategy and calculated action. Her presence alongside Emilia Pérez hints at a growing movement against corruption, a shift from mere observation to active opposition.

[Verse 3]
The final verse takes a more personal approach, depicting the ruthless consequences of noncompliance within the corrupt system. A man who was not born disabled is now lame due to unpaid debts, while another has lost his hand—a grim reminder of the physical violence that enforces submission. The reference to Gabriel Mendoza and his new, young wife critiques the hypocrisy of powerful men who discard old relationships in pursuit of status and vanity. This verse serves as a culmination of the song’s themes, illustrating the many layers of corruption, from financial greed to physical brutality and personal betrayal.

[Chorus]
The final repetition of the chorus solidifies the song’s overarching message: those who exploit others will ultimately face the consequences of their actions.

[Outro]
The song closes with a chilling reflection on loss. While losing a loved one is already tragic, the inability to recover their remains is framed as a sentence—a lifelong punishment inflicted upon those left behind. This statement encapsulates the devastation wrought by corruption and violence, leaving a haunting final impression that lingers beyond the song’s end. El Mal is not just a condemnation but a mournful acknowledgment of the human cost of systemic injustice.

El Mal Official Video

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