Jerry Rivera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Rivera
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gerardo Rivera Rodríguez |
| Also known as | The baby of salsa |
| Born | July 31, 1973 Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Salsa |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
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Jerry Rivera (born Gerardo Rivera Rodríguez on July 31, 1973) is a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer and songwriter. He is often called "El Bebé de la Salsa," which means "The Baby of Salsa." Jerry Rivera is known for his smooth voice and energetic performances. He has released many popular albums and songs throughout his career.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Jerry Rivera was born in Humacao, a town on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. His family later moved to Levittown, where he went to school. Music was a big part of his family life. Both of his parents were musicians. His mother, Dominga, was a singer, and his father, Edwin, played guitar and led a group called Los Barones Trio.
As a child, Jerry often went with his parents to their shows. This helped him learn about music from a young age. He has two brothers, Ito and Jose, who are also professional musicians. His sister, Saned, is also a recording artist.
Meeting a Music Idol
In 1986, when Jerry was 14, he was with his father at a hotel in Isla Verde. A famous salsa singer named Frankie Ruiz was also there. Frankie Ruiz joined them and sang a few songs. He even took a picture with young Jerry. Years later, in 2003, Jerry used this special photo for the cover of his tribute album. The album was called Canto a mi Idolo... Frankie Ruiz, meaning 'I Sing to My Idol... Frankie Ruiz'.
Jerry Rivera's Singing Career
Jerry Rivera's talent was noticed early on. In 1988, a music producer named Tommy Olivencia heard him sing. Tommy suggested that Jerry should sing on his own. When Jerry was 16, his father helped him create a demo recording. They showed it to the CBS music company, and Jerry was signed to a record deal.
First Albums and Big Hits
Jerry's first album was Empezando A Vivir ('Beginning to Live'). This album helped him become known as "El Bebé de la Salsa." It included the hit song De La Cabeza A Los Pies ("From Head to Toe").
His second album, Abriendo Puertas ('Opening Doors'), was even more successful. It featured popular songs like Esa Niña ('That Girl'), Dime ('Tell Me'), and Nada Sin Ti ('Nothing Without You'). These songs became number one hits in Puerto Rico, the United States, and across Latin America.
Cuenta Conmigo and Worldwide Fame
Jerry's third album, Cuenta Conmigo ('Count on Me'), was a huge success. It earned three Platinum Record awards in the United States, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Colombia. This album became the best-selling salsa album in history at the time. It stayed at the top of the Latin American music charts for three months.
Some of the most famous songs from Cuenta Conmigo include the title track, Me Estoy Enamorando ('I'm Falling in Love'), and Casi Un Hechizo ('Nearly A Charm'). The song Amores Como El Nuestro ('Love Like Ours') became a massive hit. Many people consider it one of Jerry Rivera's best songs. Because of this album's success, Jerry won two Premio Lo Nuestro Awards for "Singer of the Year" and "Album of the Year."
The introduction to Amores Como El Nuestro has even been used in other songs. It was sampled by the hip-hop duo Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz in their 1997 song "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)". Later, Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean used it in his 2004 song "Dance Like This." This song then became the worldwide hit "Hips Don't Lie" in 2006, featuring Shakira.
Continued Success and New Sounds
In 1993, Jerry released Cara de Niño ('Baby Face'). Hits from this album included ¿Qué Hay De Malo? ('What's Wrong About This?') and the title track. His popularity continued to grow. In 1994, he released his first collection of hits, Lo Nuevo y lo Mejor (The New and the Best). This album included the new song Me Estoy Enloqueciendo Por Ti ('I'm Going Crazy For You').
He continued to release albums like Magia (1995) and Fresco (1996). In 1999, Jerry tried a new style with De Otra Manera ('Another Way'). This album featured more ballad music, like the song Ese ('Him'). He even sang this song with his father at a concert in San Juan.
In 2002, Jerry released Vuela Muy Alto ('Fly Very High'). This album brought him many new fans across Latin America and the U.S. The title track and Herida Mortal ('Mortal Wound') were big hits. The next year, he went back to his salsa roots with Cantando A Mi Idolo... Frankie Ruiz ('Singing to My Idol... Frankie Ruiz'). This tribute album earned him a Latin Grammy nomination. A popular song from this album was Ruiz's Mi Libertad, which featured the artist Voltio.
Other Projects and Appearances
Jerry Rivera has also appeared in movies and TV shows. He had a small part in the movie I Like It Like That. He also played himself in a Latin American TV show called Mi destino eres tu ('You Are My Destiny'). He has been part of various music productions for Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.
In 2007, he released Caribe Gardel, an album that paid tribute to the Argentine singer Carlos Gardel. One of the main salsa hits from this album was Gardel's Cuesta Abajo ('Downhill'). In 2011, he released El Amor Existe, which included the popular song Solo Pienso En Ti.
Jerry Rivera has performed all over the world. He has sung in countries like Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, the United States, Spain, and Japan. In 2011, he was one of the four judges for Idol Puerto Rico, which is like the American TV show American Idol.
Concert Accident
On August 25, 2018, Jerry Rivera had an accident during a concert in Milagro, Ecuador. He was performing on a stage elevator when it broke. He fell underneath the stage and broke a tendon in his right leg. He was taken to a hospital nearby and later had surgery in the United States.
Discography
Albums
- Empezando a Vivir ('Beginning to Live') (1989)
- Abriendo Puertas ('Opening Doors') (1990)
- Cuenta Conmigo ('Count On Me') (1992)
- Cara de Niño ('Baby Face') (1993)
- Lo Nuevo y lo Mejor ('The New and the Best') (1994)
- Magia ('Magic') (1995)
- Fresco ('Fresh') (1996)
- Ya No Soy el Niño Aquel ('I'm Not That Child Anymore') (1997)
- De Otra Manera ('In Other Ways') (1999)
- Oro Salsero ('Salsa Gold') (2000)
- Historia 1 ('History 1') (2000)
- Para Siempre ('Forever') (2000)
- Rivera ('Rivera') (2001)
- No Me Olvidarás ('You Won't Forget Me') (2001)
- Vuela Muy Alto ('Fly Very High') (2002)
- Canto a Mi Ídolo... Frankie Ruiz ('Singing to My Idol... Frankie Ruiz') (2003)
- Ay Mi Vida ('Oh My Life') (2005)
- Caribe Gardel (2007)
- El Amor Existe ('Love Exists') (2010)
- Jerry Christmas (2012)
- Sólo para Mujeres ('Only for Women') (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Jerry Rivera para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
