Jenni Rivera’s family is keeping her legacy alive…
Juan and Rosie Rivera, siblings of the late Mexican American Banda and ranchera singer who passed away in December 2012, have joined Sony Music Latin in a new venture to develop the next generation of regional Mexican stars.
The announcement was made in Los Angeles earlier this week, where the Rivera family and Sony executives officially signed and agreed to commence a partnership between the Rivera’s Linea, LLC, and Sony.
“Juan and Rosie have been in the [music] game since they were born,” said Nir Seroussi, Sony Music Latin president, in an exclusive interview with Billboard. “Juan is very focused and chill. Rosie is very sharp and eloquent. We’re confident that Linea will soon become a major player in the market.”
It’s been nearly five years since Rivera died in a plane crash, while working in Mexico and since that time, numerous projects themed around the Long Beach, California, -born recording artist have been released, from albums to reality shows and merchandise.
Rosie, whose close-knit relationship with Jenni was undeniable, has spent the last five years helping to complete some of her sister’s dreams from releasing music to caring for her foundation and making sure she was there for her sibling’s children.
This new chapter, Rosie said, continues to honor her sister, but it’s different in that she will now have a more active role in the industry along with her brother, which is something that Jenni encouraged them to do years ago. While Jenni was signed to Fonovisa, under Universal Music Latin Entertainment, this new venture with Sony has nothing to do with Jenni music other than the fact that she always wanted to help launch the careers of others.
“I think Jenni would be very happy,” says Rosie. “I can see her smiling with tears of joy and her wide eyes. She invested so much love and discipline in her dreams. She told us she envisioned this for Juan and myself and she’s cheering us from heaven.”
In 2013, Rosie announced a similar venture, but it was in the form of a new label called JRE/Divina Music, which had already been in the works in 2010, two years before the singer died. That label was established to complete Jenni’s goals and that was met by supporting other artists. The new chapter begins with joining forces with Sony.
Rosie, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, is the youngest of the Rivera family of singers. Since her sister’s death she has gone more public about her own struggles in the hopes of helping others. In 2015 she founded the movement Sister Somalia to support women who have been victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, drugs and domestic violence in Latin America. Additionally, Rivera is active in her family’s Christian outreach ministry, helping single mothers find affordable housing through the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation.
Besides overseeing the Jenni Rivera estate with his sister Rosie, Juan is a recording artist with nearly a dozen albums to his name and has appeared in several reality shows with his family of singers that includes Lupillo Rivera and Chiquis Rivera.
Seroussi said that more details will be unveiled soon and those aspiring artists hoping to break into the business through the regional Mexican genre will have a chance to participate. The Sony executive wouldn’t confirm or deny what types of projects will be unveiled, but he reassures that they will be part of a thrill ride.
“This is a very special venture,” Seroussi said. “Having Juan and Rosie makes it that more exciting. Many things are going to happen.”
