Forged by pressure, Chiquis lets her artistry flourish on ‘Diamantes’

Beneath the Wiltern’s bright stage light, a dazzling Tejana artist gradually comes into view. As the hidden hydraulic platform crests on the stage’s second level, Chiquis emerges, glittering in a completely rhinestoned white ensemble. Her accompanying 13-piece band strikes up the lively opening chords of “Porque Soy Abeja Reina,” a song from her 2022 album “Abeja Reina.” The Wiltern’s audience erupts with cheers. The multi-talented individual, Janney Marin Rivera, born as she is, makes her way down the staircase, her thoughts consumed by the realization that all her years of hard work are finally bearing fruit.

For the last ten years, Chiquis has been struggling against challenging odds to create music she can be proud of. Despite being compared harshly to her late legendary mother, Jenni Rivera in Mexican music and expected to continue the family tradition, the three-time Latin Grammy winner remains steadfast in her niche of contemporary banda music. She isn’t afraid to incorporate modern influences into the traditional genre, and she exudes renewed self-assurance on her latest album, “Diamantes.

Chiquis shared, “Just prior to the performance, I was shedding tears. It’s the end of the year, and sadly, my mom passed away in December. These times always make me more emotional. I found myself questioning, ‘Will people notice? Will they see?’ But then I realized, that’s what my music stands for. If I feel like crying, I will. I’ll discuss it openly. This is where I express myself truly.

On that particular evening, stepping onto the Wiltern’s stage for what she deemed a homecoming performance, with an elaborate stage setup and a team of professionals behind it all, she admitted that such a grand show brought back memories of how far she’d come – once starting her musical journey at venues like The Grove and small clubs. Now, she casually sips from a diamond-shaped flask containing Don Julio 70 and confidently delivers her anthems of endurance to a theater full of listeners.

A few days post her performance, I spot Chiquis at a cozy café in downtown Beverly Hills, tucked amidst its upscale stores. Dressed casually in a long trench coat and a coordinating L.A. baseball hat, the vibrant singer reflects on the musical milestone she achieved with her fourth album titled “Abeja Reina.

In her new work, Chiquis blends elements of R&B with banda and tries out a corrido style for the first time. She confesses that this is when she truly learned to be genuine in her artistic expression. During the creation of this album, she overcame feelings of imposter syndrome and stopped striving for others’ approval in terms of her sound.

She stated, “If I stay true to myself, others will sense it. The individuals who’ll be drawn to my music are the ones I want to connect with. There will always be someone who won’t care for me, but I’ve come to terms with that. I am who I am – I swear, I believe in God, and I’m a bit of everything.

Apart from developing an affinity for her voice, Chiquis confides that she’s long struggled with self-doubt due to her mother’s extensive vocal range and the audience’s frequent comparisons. After a prolonged period of avoiding her own music, she enlisted the help of a vocal coach and embarked on a journey to enhance her singing abilities.

Due to the celebrity status she inherited, her music career initially functioned as an additional aspect to her already well-known reality TV appearances. During the early 2010s, she featured on “Jenni Rivera Presents: Chiquis y Raq-C,” continued appearing on her mother’s show “I Love Jenni” and starred in a spin-off of her own titled “Chiquis ‘n Control.” Similar to the Kardashians, Chiquis gained fame primarily for being famous.

To this very day, I balance my life beyond my music career, dabbling in various other ventures. For instance, you might have seen me on reality TV shows like “Chiquis Sin Filtro” or “Foodie on the Go,” hosting podcasts such as “Chiquis and Chill,” and even penning books titled “The Girl Who Sings to Bees,” “Forgiveness,” and “Unstoppable.” Additionally, I have the honor of serving as a judge on Mexico’s “La Academia.

In her pursuit of multiple creative endeavors, it’s her music that serves as the arena where she consistently aims to surpass herself. Each fresh composition finds her vying against none other than herself.

If her 2022 album “Abeja Reina” served as the spark igniting Chiquis’ identity and providing her with her “wildly self-assured” persona, her 2024 release “Diamantes” represents the culmination of this artistic journey.

Chiquis commented, ‘The project ‘Abeja Reina’ was a bit rough; for the next one, I wanted something more polished.’ With the weight of being Jenni Rivera’s daughter and the complications that followed, the concept of ‘Diamantes,’ representing resilience and refinement, made perfect sense to me.

Chiquis expressed that just as there’s no flawless diamond, each of us carries our own imperfections. Life serves as the polisher, bringing out our unique shine. A diamond can never be shattered, symbolizing resilience in many aspects. In essence, I am a diamond, and so are all of us, standing strong despite life’s challenges. This album is filled with words of encouragement, serving as a personal message to myself.

Ulises Lonzano, who’s been a frequent collaborator and chief producer, initially met Chiquis when he was tasked with creating a theme song for one of her reality TV shows. Over time, he notes that while her persona has remained consistent, as they progress from one project to another, he observes her growing increasingly confident in her skills.

In Lonzano’s words, “When Chiquis sings, she draws from her feelings, particularly during performances. As a producer, this is what sets one artist apart from another. It’s not about who has the best voice or songwriting skills. Instead, it’s about how you convey your emotions through that musical piece, and that’s something Chiquis excels at.

The singer’s life has consistently demonstrated resilience, a trait that was evident during our discussion as she candidly shared her personal struggles. She openly discussed significant challenges such as her mother’s unexpected passing, maintaining the Rivera family unity under pressure, and a recent miscarriage while on tour with Diamantes. Her honesty paints her as an open and sincere individual. She confided in me that regardless of life’s upheavals, she will continue to persevere for the people who care about her most – her fans.

During her Los Angeles concert, the venue was teeming with a multitude of shiny boots, glittery beards, denim jackets adorned with Jenni Rivera’s image, and tattooed sleeves dedicated to Chiquis. Longtime fan Dora Bartolo, 29, has been following Chiquis since 2013. As we chat in the Wiltern’s historic lobby, this Compton native reminisces about purchasing tickets to see Chiquis for $25 at her initial shows. Having attended the Diamantes tour on six separate occasions, Bartolo beams with pride about being part of Chiquis’ growth journey.

Bartolo stated, “At first, her music style was still developing. The music world wasn’t hers just yet; it seemed like she was abruptly thrust into it. But I knew we needed to be patient because she never gives up – resilience runs through her veins. Once she steps onto the stage, you truly witness her power and growth.

Despite the singer’s efforts to avoid being compared to her late mother, there are striking similarities in their careers. Just like her mother, they have made significant impacts on the male-dominated genre of banda and have broadened their influence beyond music. Moreover, both artists strive to break free from the shadows cast by the previous generation. Notably, Pedro Rivera, Chiquis’ grandfather, is also a renowned Mexican music artist.

With the New Year underway, Chiquis expresses some uncertainty about her upcoming plans. Pondering over her recent marriage to photographer Emilio Sánchez, she aspires to pen more about a joyful form of love, contrasting her past experiences with turbulent relationships. Additionally, she intends to delve into the potential of Mexican music as a means of creating relaxing and meditative tunes.

Chiquis shared, “I’ll continue progressing, but I feel it’s time for me to momentarily divert and find a fresh connection with my music. I need some space to rejuvenate and be inspired once more. Change is on the horizon.

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2025-01-06 01:32