Sergio Vega, known as El Shaka, was shot in his red Cadillac while driving through Sinaloa state on his way to perform in a concert.

The 40-year-old singer recently told a website he had increased security measures after a number of Mexican Grupero - country music - singers were killed.

The Mexican media has reported that unidentified men, travelling in a truck behind El Shakas Cadillac, shot at the car.

When Vega lost control of the vehicle and crashed, the gunmen then "finished Mr Vega off" by shooting him in the chest and head, according to his passenger, who spoke to El Debate newspaper.

Just hours before the shooting, Mr Vega spoke to La Oreja website to deny rumours he had been murdered.