The shadow of a music icon is a long one, but for Johnny López, the son of the legendary jenni Rivera, it’s also a source of unwavering inspiration.Imagine walking out of the gym one January morning, a creative drought plaguing your thoughts, and then an awakening. That pivotal moment in 2023 sparked a poem, which in turn birthed “5 Por 5,” a bold and electrifying EP redefining contemporary regional Mexican music. This is not just a revival; it’s a legacy reimagined. Johnny, known as “Johnny 5,” isn’t merely following in his mother’s footsteps; he’s carving his own path, weaving pop influences into the vibrant tapestry of banda music.
This isn’t just about music; it’s about honoring *La Gran Señora* while forging ahead.
During a especially emotional period, in his life, Johnny López walked out of the gym one January morning in 2023 and wrote a poem that would become a turning point in his artistic journey.
“It was a time when I didn’t like anything I was creating – poems, songs, nothing,” López tells GRAMMY.com.In that moment, he decided to push past his self-doubt and he reached out to Sinaloan composer Luciano Luna. “I sent him the poem to see what he thought.He put a melody to it, and 5 Por 5 was born.”
As he searches for his own musical identity – while never losing sight of the powerful legacy of his mother, the iconic Jenni Rivera, whom he lost at just 11 years old – Johnny López begins a new chapter in the history of the Rivera dynasty. With a fresh, contemporary sound that blends regional Mexican music with pop influences, his work pays tribute to “La Gran Señora” while forging ahead into the future.
Read more: Jenni Rivera Essentials: 10 Songs That Embody The Late Banda Music Icon’s Rebellious Spirit
The singer with Mexican roots was just a teenager when he realized that music was his true calling, around the same time his sister chiquis was launching her own artistic career. Watching her carve out a space in an industry that had long focused on their mother left a deep impression on him. Chiquis’ resilience in the face of criticism and constant comparisons became a powerful source of inspiration.
That passion only deepened when he turned 16, and the self professed Michael Jackson fan had his first experiences on stage. In 2019, he released his debut single: a cover of “Chicano Jalisciense,” one of his mother’s most iconic songs. Around the same time, he began formal music training at the Los Angeles Film School and stepped into a new role, helping manage his mother’s businesses.
A decade later, that journey gave rise to Johnny 5 – the artistic identity Juan Ángel López chose for himself – and the May 23 release of his EP 5 Por 5, launched under his own label, Cinco Sound. With this project, the 24-year-old artist fully immerses himself in the regional Mexican music movement. For Johnny, it’s more than just music; it’s a declaration of identity and a powerful festivity of his heritage.
“My father’s nickname was ‘El 5.’ And I’m the youngest of five children,” the singer says of the EP and its title track. “I strongly beleive in numbers and how they follow you. Suddenly, I see 5 [everywhere]. It’s good energy, somthing mystical.If something good happens to me, it’s a 5 day.”
With a sound he describes as “alternative regional,” Johnny 5 continues carving out his own space in the competitive regional Mexican music scene. His upcoming bilingual EP, which (not surprisingly) contains five songs, blends tradition with innovation, offering a fresh take on the genre. The project features reimagined versions of iconic songs like “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum and “Lamento Boliviano,” the beloved anthem from the Argentine band Enanitos Verdes, written by Raúl Federico Gómez and Natalio faingold. It also includes original tracks such as “72,” a heartfelt tribute to his mother and to all women who, like her, have bravely faced adversity.
“‘Lamento Boliviano’ is a classic. I remember it so clearly becuase I was going through a very turbulent time in my life in October 2022,” says Johnny, who at the time was in the production of jenni Rivera’s posthumous album, Misión Cumplida. “I went camping with some friends, and they played that song. After that, I couldn’t stop singing it for a week. I thought, I have to do something with this track. The fusion came naturally, and I loved the result. I think it’s one of the strongest songs on the EP.”
Just days before the world premiere of 5 Por 5, Johnny 5 sat down with GRAMMY.com to reflect on the biggest challenges and most rewarding moments of his journey toward artistic independence. He also opened up about his vision for the future and what’s next in his evolving career.
What led you to carve out your own path in the world of music?
I think when I was thirteen and my sister Chiquis was starting her career, I was inspired. It was very difficult for her at the beginning, but she didn’t give up – she rose above it all, and I really admired that strength. Being Chiquis is harder than being Jenni Rivera, and that inspired me a lot. That’s when I decided to focus on music. Before that, my dream was to be a director, actor, and film producer, but little by little, I fell in love with music.
You mentioned that your sister had a very difficult start to her career as she was Jenni Rivera’s daughter.Are you afraid of facing criticism?
To some measurable degree, yes. But I think my path has been different because I’ve lived my entire life in the public eye. When my mom was pregnant with me,she was performing on stage with me in her belly. So, in a way, I have a protective shell – unlike my other siblings, who had a life before and after fame.
What has been the most difficult part of getting to 5 Por 5?
I think the hardest part was losing my fear and feeling happy with my own work. I wanted to write songs that reflected 100 percent who I am as a person – both in the lyrics and in the music.
A few years ago, I wrote a song and wasn’t happy with it, so I decided to focus on finding a better creative direction.And that was what was missing: having the right creative direction and feeling satisfied with my own work,with my voice. I’ve really focused on studying music.I thank God because now I understand music theory.
I went to The Los Angeles Film School in 2020, before the pandemic started, and I continued studying online. Then I started working at my mom’s companies. But I kept taking vocal lessons and began performing with my sister Chiquis as a third voice, and I think the best experience is to just do it and live it. I’m very grateful to the guys in my sister’s band who helped me grow and make this possible.I’ve been singing since I was 13, but I’ve been studying music seriously for five years.
How would you define the inspiration for the music in 5 Por 5?
There are two songs that are pure regional Mexican – I have norteño and banda music – and I also have experimental songs. Manny people have told me that the songs I included in English, like “Spirit in the sky,” have a country sound. But that wasn’t my intention. I just create music and wanted to do something different, but with the essence of Mexican banda music. I call my style alternative regional music. I want to keep creating more music.
What was the collaborative process for “5 Por 5”?
It came from a poem I wrote after leaving the gym in January 2023, at 7 in the morning – and I really liked it. It was a time when I didn’t like anything I was writing – poems, songs, nothing. At the time, I was working with Luciano Luna on some projects for my sister and my mom, and I sent him the poem to see what he thought. He put a melody to it, and “5 Por 5″ was born.
With “72,” I wanted something that was about my mom, but that could also apply to any woman. I imagined it as a song that could be played at any woman’s funeral. It was composed by Jesús Parra, who I connected with a few years ago and he’s become one of my best friends.
Is this a new chapter in the Rivera dynasty?
I think my siblings and I are starting a new era. A new chapter as Jenni’s children.
Obviously, all three of us are proud of what the previous generation has done, but we’re writing a new book and beginning a new chapter – as Jenni’s children.Jenni and her children are a dynasty.
How do you see your future in the music industry as an artist?
I want to touch souls with my music. My dream is to work with Régulo Caro; he’s my idol in Mexican music.I listen to his music all the time and he inspired me in a way I didn’t expect. He’s the artist who has influenced me the most in Mexican music, even more than my mom.
How is the song “Chicano Jalisciense” important to you?
“Chicano” is a chapter of my life that I think I’ve grown to love more over time, because it helped me grow and realize that people were going to support me – but the important thing was to be happy with myself. That song was the first step on my own path.
Do you think your mom would feel proud about what you’ve accomplished?
She has three children who are dedicated to this art and who are following in her footsteps, and the three of us support each other – so she would be delighted. I’m sure she would want us to keep going like this, together. And she would want all three of us to do better than she did, I’m sure of that. It’s a tribute to her. My taste in music, the reason, the intention, the way I interpret songs – everything goes back to her.
How have your siblings supported you along the process?
My siblings – especially Jacqie Rivera and Chiquis – have been there for me, supporting me and listening to my ideas. I remember when I played them the demo of 5 Por 5,Jacqie was thrilled,and my sister Chiquis has been like a second mother to me. When I told her I wanted to start singing at 13,she signed me up for voice lessons that same week. My siblings’ support means everything to me.
During a particularly emotional period, in his life, Johnny López walked out of the gym one January morning in 2023 and wrote a poem that would become a turning point in his artistic journey.
“It was a time when I didn’t like anything I was creating — poems, songs, nothing,” López tells GRAMMY.com. In that moment, he decided to push past his self-doubt and he reached out to Sinaloan composer Luciano Luna. “I sent him the poem to see what he thought. He put a melody to it, and 5 Por 5 was born.”
As he searches for his own musical identity — while never losing sight of the powerful legacy of his mother, the iconic Jenni Rivera, whom he lost at just 11 years old — Johnny López begins a new chapter in the history of the Rivera dynasty. With a fresh, contemporary sound that blends regional Mexican music with pop influences, his work pays tribute to “La Gran Señora” while forging ahead into the future.
Read more: Jenni Rivera Essentials: 10 Songs That Embody The Late Banda Music Icon’s Rebellious Spirit
The singer with Mexican roots was just a teenager when he realized that music was his true calling, around the same time his sister Chiquis was launching her own artistic career. Watching her carve out a space in an industry that had long focused on their mother left a deep impression on him. Chiquis’ resilience in the face of criticism and constant comparisons became a powerful source of inspiration.
That passion only deepened when he turned 16, and the self professed Michael Jackson fan had his first experiences on stage. In 2019, he released his debut single: a cover of “Chicano Jalisciense,” one of his mother’s most iconic songs. Around the same time, he began formal music training at the Los Angeles Film School and stepped into a new role, helping manage his mother’s businesses.
A decade later, that journey gave rise to Johnny 5 — the artistic identity Juan Ángel López chose for himself — and the May 23 release of his EP 5 Por 5, launched under his own label, Cinco Sound. With this project, the 24-year-old artist fully immerses himself in the regional Mexican music movement. For Johnny, it’s more than just music; it’s a declaration of identity and a powerful celebration of his heritage.
“My father’s nickname was ‘El 5.’ And I’m the youngest of five children,” the singer says of the EP and its title track. “I strongly believe in numbers and how they follow you. Suddenly, I see 5 [everywhere]. It’s good energy, something mystical. If something good happens to me, it’s a 5 day.”
With a sound he describes as “alternative regional,” Johnny 5 continues carving out his own space in the competitive regional Mexican music scene. His upcoming bilingual EP, which (not surprisingly) contains five songs, blends tradition with innovation, offering a fresh take on the genre. The project features reimagined versions of iconic songs like “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum and “Lamento Boliviano,” the beloved anthem from the Argentine band Enanitos Verdes, written by Raúl Federico Gómez and Natalio Faingold. It also includes original tracks such as “72,” a heartfelt tribute to his mother and to all women who, like her, have bravely faced adversity.
“‘Lamento Boliviano’ is a classic. I remember it so clearly because I was going through a very turbulent time in my life in October 2022,” says Johnny, who at the time was in the production of Jenni Rivera’s posthumous album, Misión Cumplida. “I went camping with some friends, and they played that song. After that, I couldn’t stop singing it for a week. I thought, I have to do something with this track. The fusion came naturally, and I loved the result. I think it’s one of the strongest songs on the EP.”
Just days before the world premiere of 5 Por 5, Johnny 5 sat down with GRAMMY.com to reflect on the biggest challenges and most rewarding moments of his journey toward artistic independence. He also opened up about his vision for the future and what’s next in his evolving career.
What led you to carve out your own path in the world of music?
I think when I was thirteen and my sister Chiquis was starting her career, I was inspired. It was very difficult for her at the beginning, but she didn’t give up — she rose above it all, and I really admired that strength. Being Chiquis is harder than being Jenni Rivera, and that inspired me a lot. That’s when I decided to focus on music. Before that, my dream was to be a director, actor, and film producer, but little by little, I fell in love with music.
You mentioned that your sister had a very difficult start to her career because she was Jenni Rivera’s daughter. Are you afraid of facing criticism?
To a certain extent, yes. But I think my path has been different because I’ve lived my entire life in the public eye. When my mom was pregnant with me, she was performing on stage with me in her belly. So, in a way, I have a protective shell — unlike my other siblings, who had a life before and after fame.
What has been the most difficult part of getting to 5 Por 5?
I think the hardest part was losing my fear and feeling happy with my own work. I wanted to write songs that reflected 100 percent who I am as a person — both in the lyrics and in the music.
A few years ago, I wrote a song and wasn’t happy with it, so I decided to focus on finding a better creative direction. And that was what was missing: having the right creative direction and feeling satisfied with my own work, with my voice. I’ve really focused on studying music. I thank God because now I understand music theory.
I went to The Los Angeles Film School in 2020, before the pandemic started, and I continued studying online. Then I started working at my mom’s companies. But I kept taking vocal lessons and began performing with my sister Chiquis as a third voice, and I think the best experience is to just do it and live it. I’m very grateful to the guys in my sister’s band who helped me grow and make this possible. I’ve been singing since I was 13, but I’ve been studying music seriously for five years.
How would you define the inspiration for the music in 5 Por 5?
There are two songs that are pure regional Mexican — I have norteño and banda music — and I also have experimental songs. Many people have told me that the songs I included in English, like “Spirit in the Sky,” have a country sound. But that wasn’t my intention. I just create music and wanted to do something different, but with the essence of Mexican banda music. I call my style alternative regional music. I want to keep creating more music.
What was the collaborative process for “5 Por 5”?
It came from a poem I wrote after leaving the gym in January 2023, at 7 in the morning — and I really liked it. It was a time when I didn’t like anything I was writing — poems, songs, nothing. At the time, I was working with Luciano Luna on some projects for my sister and my mom, and I sent him the poem to see what he thought. He put a melody to it, and “5 Por 5″ was born.
With “72,” I wanted something that was about my mom, but that could also apply to any woman. I imagined it as a song that could be played at any woman’s funeral. It was composed by Jesús Parra, who I connected with a few years ago and he’s become one of my best friends.
Is this a new chapter in the Rivera dynasty?
I think my siblings and I are starting a new era. A new chapter as Jenni’s children.
Obviously, all three of us are proud of what the previous generation has done, but we’re writing a new book and beginning a new chapter — as Jenni’s children. Jenni and her children are a dynasty.
How do you see your future in the music industry as an artist?
I want to touch souls with my music. My dream is to work with Régulo Caro; he’s my idol in Mexican music. I listen to his music all the time and he inspired me in a way I didn’t expect. He’s the artist who has influenced me the most in Mexican music, even more than my mom.
How is the song “Chicano Jalisciense” important to you?
“Chicano” is a chapter of my life that I think I’ve grown to love more over time, because it helped me grow and realize that people were going to support me — but the important thing was to be happy with myself. That song was the first step on my own path.
Do you think your mom would feel proud about what you’ve accomplished?
She has three children who are dedicated to this art and who are following in her footsteps, and the three of us support each other — so she would be delighted. I’m sure she would want us to keep going like this, together. And she would want all three of us to do better than she did, I’m sure of that. It’s a tribute to her. My taste in music, the reason, the intention, the way I interpret songs — everything goes back to her.
How have your siblings supported you along the process?
My siblings — especially Jacqie Rivera and Chiquis — have been there for me, supporting me and listening to my ideas. I remember when I played them the demo of 5 Por 5, Jacqie was thrilled, and my sister Chiquis has been like a second mother to me. When I told her I wanted to start singing at 13, she signed me up for voice lessons that same week. My siblings’ support means everything to me.