Carlos Rivera is capping off 20 years in the music industry with one of his biggest career achievements yet: his first Latin GRAMMY nomination.
For two decades, Rivera's heartfelt love songs have resonated with fans across Latin America, Spain, and the U.S. Earlier this year, Rivera teamed up with another Latin pop heartthrob that also made his mark on TV, David Bisbal. Their duet, "Ahora," is nominated for Best Pop Song at the 2024 Latin GRAMMY Awards.
"What better way to celebrate 20 years of my music career than with a nomination like this," Rivera tells GRAMMY.com. "This nomination represents the recognition of our efforts and hard work to keep betting on a genre that we believe in: the ballad."
Read more: 2024 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Full Nominations List
Rivera has released seven studio albums, beginning with a self-titled release in 2007. He started pulling at heartstrings on 2013's El Hubiera No Existe, which featured romantic and alluring ballads like "Solo Tú" and "Fascinación." Rivera later planted his flag firmly in the ground as a warrior of love with his 2017's Guerra album, which included "Me Muero," his ode to undying romance. With last year's Sincerándome album, Rivera also tapped into the power of the ballad to open up about the difficult moments of his career. Rivera became a global force in 2017 after Disney tapped him to record "Recuérdame" for the movie Coco. The song won an Oscar and has since become an anthem for Día de Muertos, a Mexican tradition about honoring the memories of loved ones that have passed on.
In addition to being a balladeer, Rivera is also known as a dancer. His sensual dance moves are readily on display in performances of the flamenco-infused "Regrésame Mi Corazón," the tropical rhythms of the empowering "Lo Digo," and the playful reggaeton of "Perdiendo La Cabeza" featuring Becky G and Pedro Capó.
In July, Rivera celebrated the 20th anniversary of his "La Academia" victory with a three-hour concert at the Mexico City Arena; he will soon announce the dates for a U.S. leg of his tour. Now Rivera is set to perform with Bisbal at the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards on Nov. 14. Rivera caught with GRAMMY.com about his first Latin GRAMMY nomination, his legacy, and his love of ballads.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
You're nominated for your first Latin GRAMMY Award. What does this nomination for Best Pop Song mean to you?
No matter what happens, the nomination in itself is the recognition of the hard work that David and I do everyday in a world that’s always changing when it comes to music and genres that are dominating and trending.
A ballad always goes straight to the hearts of lovers. This nomination is also a way of showing that things can take time to happen. While you keep working and doing things well, sooner or later, your reward will come along.
How did the song "Ahora" come together?
I told David that I've followed his career since I was 16, and I was so proud and happy to sing with him. I also told him that he's always been a great example for all the artists that have come from reality competitions. He started his career a few years earlier than me. [Editor's note: Bisbal was a runner-up on Spanish reality program "Operación Triunfo" in 2002.]
My colleagues on "La Academia" — a lot of them, not only from my seasons, but others seasons as well — called me to say they remember when we used to watch and listen to David Bisbal. We dreamed about doing what he was doing and achieving.
Now 20 years later, I'm by his side singing a song that we wrote together. On top of that, we're nominated for a Latin GRAMMY together. This collaboration means the most to me for that reason. We’re two artists that come from similar backgrounds and our careers started out in very similar ways. Now years later, we continue to be defenders of ballads, good music, and songs that you can sing your heart out to.
Best Pop Song is awarded to the songwriters. As a singer/songwriter, how do you feel about also being nominated in that capacity?
I feel very honored to be nominated as a songwriter because this category shows that songwriters are of immense importance. I'm one of the biggest proponents of when someone writes a song, they should always be recognized for it. I'm always standing up for songwriters' rights. I'm also one of those people who are against when a song has a bunch of songwriters. I know how it is to write a song by yourself and I know what it's like to share that experience with another songwriter.
I consider myself to be a defender of the recognition that a songwriter deserves when a song is written from scratch. This song was written from scratch during an afternoon that we got together. David, Pablo Preciado, and myself equally contributed to creating this song with this story. As a songwriter, I feel even more fulfilled because I know we achieved something special with a song that was written from scratch.
How would you describe the process of establishing your music career after winning "La Academia" in 2004?
The process was very difficult. I started out very young at 18 years old. I started out on a reality show and I won it; I thought I would have my career lined up for me afterwards. That turned out to not be the case.
The reality is that a music career is made with many years of hard work. You have to show album-by-album and song-by-song that you're an artist that has something to contribute to the industry. I've grown so much from that experience and I'm so grateful for it today. I've grown from both the good and bad moments. There's things I've had to learn from the difficult times that turned out to be very beneficial lessons for me.
Why is it important for you to bring love and romance to the forefront in your music?
Love never dies. Everyday people fall in love. Everyday people go through heartbreak. I believe that love is the best material for me to create songs with. Because of that, I always bet on love.
Maybe that perspective might also have to do with you being a Pisces?
My music is totally Pisces! [Laughs.] My music is very emotional. It’s very sensitive. It’s also for the dreamers. When I say a lot of my songs come from a personal place, I’m not lying. This is me showing all my facets and all my emotions that are made into songs.
During your concert in Mexico City, the kiss cam showed a same-sex couple from the audience. What does it mean for you that your love songs are connecting with people from all walks of life?
Last year, I was asked if my song "Digan Lo Que Digan" could be used in Argentina for a telenovela about a gay couple ["Argentina, Tierra de Amor y Venganza"]. Anyone who loves another person or that has been judged for something can relate to that song. Above all, it’s a song that stands up for love for everyone. I’ve always liked that my music speaks to love that’s universal. There’s no restrictions to who you can dedicate my music to. My songs are at everyone’s service.
You sang "Recuérdame" for Coco and now your new single "Calavera" also has to do with Día de Muertos. What does it mean for you to represent Mexican culture and traditions with your music and concerts?
Día de Muertos is one of my most favorite traditions. Since I was a kid, it's a tradition I've followed because there's always been ofrendas [altars] in my home. When I was invited to record "Recuérdame" for Coco, that was very special because it’s genuine to who I am.
"Calavera" came along naturally because it’s a topic that I’m very familiar with. The new music I'm working on is going to incorporate a lot more of our Mexican culture that’s based on the culture of death. If we’re talking about love, that also has to do with death. For example, when a heart gets broken, there’s pain that feels like love has died in a way. I like to believe that I can keep making music that poetically speaks to the culture of death in Mexico.
During your concerts, you’re also known for captivating the crowd with your dance moves. How important is that component of dance in your live performances and music videos?
I love to dance! The things in my life that I love to do most are sing, write songs, dance, and perform. When I was doing musical theater, that was a very essential part to my career when I was starting out. Dancing is a requirement in musical theater and I incorporated that into my music, my concerts, and my music videos. It’s another way to spread a bit of happiness to the people that listen to my music. It’s a way to express ourselves.
What have you learned about yourself from these 20 years of being in the music industry?
What I've learned is that everything that happens, it happens for a reason. I've learned after many years to be grateful for the good things, but also be grateful for the difficult moments because all of that brought me to where I am today.
What would you say is your secret to having a long music career?
The key to everything is don't stop working, to keep persevering, and to always keep doing things that represent who I am as an artist. I try to not stray away from who I am as an artist. My music has always stayed true to who I am as well.
What do you want to achieve next?
I would like to be in this career my whole life. It’s been 20 years of a lot of dreams that I’ve worked hard to make come true. Now that I’m celebrating 20 years of my music career, I would love to get to the point of celebrating 40 or 50 years next.