There’s a new placein our hearts for Jenni Rivera…
To celebrate the late Mexican American bandasinger’s 51st birthday, Rivera’s family has released a new posthumous single “Quisieran Tener Mi Lugar.”
It was released on Wednesday, July 1 along with a music video that pays homage to La Diva de la Banda.
Penned by Luis Antonio López“El Mimoso” and Rivera, Rivera reflects on her hard work to get to the top with lyrics like, “It hurts them to see that I’m the diva, but I say what I feel … to earn respect, I’ve worked hard, I won’t stop.”
The video is a compilation of Rivera’s accolades like her Billboard awards and Premios Lo Nuestro, and footage from sold-out shows at the Staples Center and Arena Monterrey.
An unstoppable force, even eight years after her death, “Quisieran Tener Mi Lugar” follows Rivera’s two previous posthumous singles “Aparentemente Bien” and “Engañémoslo” released by the Rivera family.
The late Mexican American bandasinger has notched her third posthumous top 10 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplaychart as “Engañémoslo” rises 13-8.
The track was recorded by Rivera prior to her death in 2012 and co-written by Rivera alongside Espinoza Paz.
It’s also the theme song of a campaign launched by the Rivera family in support of women empowerment throughout Mexico and U.S.
“I assumed she didn’t get to record it,” Paz commented via a press release. “What a pleasant surprise to find out she did.”
“Engañemoslo” lifts to 4 million in audience impressions (up 14%) earned in the week ending May 3, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
The song marks the second previously unreleased recording by the Rivera family following Rivera’s death. It follows the No. 7 peak (Sept. 7, 2019) “Aparentemente Bien” which was written by Erika Enderand Argentina’s Alejandro Lerner.
In between, “Que Me Entierren Cantando” (No. 38 peak) was released by her brother Lupillo Riverawhich includes pre-recorded vocals from the late banda singer-songwriter.
With the new single, Rivera has earned top 10s spanning three decades dating back to 2005 with the No. 7 high “Qué Me Vas a Dar.”
Since then La Diva de La Bandahas placed six top 10s in the 2000s six in the 2010s and her current hit at No. 8.
Jenni Rivera’s family is commemorating her 50th birthday in a special way…
The Riveras havedebuted a new emotional ballad recorded at the prime of the late singer’s career before she died in a plane crash in 2012.
“Aparentemente Bien” is about a broken heart and shows an emotional side of the regional Mexican star who is heard having a heart-rending moment during the recording of the song.
“I was surprised she was crying,” says Jenni’s sister Rosie Rivera. “To allow herself to be so vulnerable. I think it’s an empowering song and she was living in the moment.”
The song was discovered by sibling Juan Riveraon a hard drive, among several others, about three years ago after his sister died. “It was like a puzzle,” says Rosie, referring to the discovery of the songs. “To hear Jenni’s voice with a new song is a spectacular feeling.”
The Rivera family decided to wait for the right moment before releasing the track, which will be followed by others in a span of about a year before a new album debuts, Rosie said. The new music is part of several projects that were recently announced, including a biopic, among other projects.
“We weren’t sure about releasing this music three years ago,” Rosie said. “We weren’t sure if the world was ready, if the kids were ready. We feel everyone is getting a better place and is ready for her 50th birthday (July 2), the golden year. We want to give her the best.”
The new song was written by “Despacito” co-writer Erica Enderand Alejandro Lerner. Ender met Rivera in 2009 at a Miami after party following the Billboard Latin Music Awardsand both talked about music and working together. Ender sent Rivera music for consideration.
“I didn’t hear anything from Jenni,” Ender tells Billboard. “When I recently heard the song I thought it was Jenni’s daughter singing. When her family told me it was actually Jenni it was so emotional. The lyrics of the song also relate to how people feel about her loss.”
Rosie calls this new chapter part of a “takeover year” as a gift to fans who will see and hear different sides of the singer with many surprises along the way. Marlon Villardirected the “Aparentemente Bien” video, which features a substantial cast, including the Rivera family, actors portraying real moments from the Long Beach, Calif.-born singer’s life and stories that fans have lived as well and continue sharing with the Riveras.
Villar conceived and directed Ricardo Arjona‘s first-ever animated music video “El Cielo a Mi Favor” in 2018. The new Rivera music video has aWalt Disneytouch featuring Villar’s vibrant style.
The filmmakers of the new video also traveled to Iturbide, Mexico, where Rivera died. This week’s launch includes a new Jenni Rivera makeup line and a day after Fourth of July, Rivera’s image and new music will be part of a Times Squarebillboard for the day through aSpotifycampaign. The digital music platform will also celebrate Rivera’s birthday with a video series going live on July 2.
“This is a way to feel my daughter again,” said Rivera’s mother Doña Rosa. “She’ll continue singing and we are happy about that, but it’s also bittersweet because I won’t get to see her. But I feel her in my heart.”
