Julissa Arce Rivera (born January 13, 1976) commonly known simply as Julissa, is a Puerto Rican Christian music singer.[1]

Julissa
Birth nameJulissa Arce Rivera
Born (1976-01-13) January 13, 1976 (age 48)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
OriginDorado, Puerto Rico
GenresContemporary Christian music, worship music
OccupationSinger-songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1998–present
Website[1]

From her first album, Regresará por mi,[2] she distinguished by her musical excellence, which has gone hand in hand with her husband, Mike Rivera.[3]

Early life

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Julissa was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Puerto Rican parents. She was the oldest of four siblings. Julissa debuted as a singer when she was twelve, with the choir of her church. At age 16, she started singing professionally with a local group called Generación Escogida. With them, she recorded several albums.

Career

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Under her own label, Firmeza Music, Julissa releases her first solo album titled Regresará Por Mí in 1998. The album was produced, arranged, and recorded by her husband, Mike. The album received a Tu Música Award for Best Christian Album, and a Tito Lara Award for Album of the Year. It was also nominated for two Viva Awards in Guatemala for International Album of the Year and International Singer of the Year. Julissa then toured Latin America with pastor Yiye Avila as part of his crusade.[4]

Julissa's second album was a Christmas album titled Nació En Mi Corazón, which was recorded during her first pregnancy. After this, she and her husband relocated to Miami, Florida.[5] During the following years, she worked on several projects like her first live album (Admisión General) released in 2002, and Duetos, an album featuring duets with known Christian singers like Roberto Orellana, René González, and others. In 2003, she released Corazón Latino.[6]

In 2006, Julissa became the first Puerto Rican to be nominated for a Dove Award for her album Mi Propósito.[7][8] That same year, she released her ninth album titled Inolvidable, which features contemporary renditions of classic hymns. She also started hosting a weekly show called Espíritu Latino on Gospel Music Channel.[9][10]

In 2007, Julissa released the album El Ritmo de la Vida,[11] which was accompanied by a book written by her.[12] The album gave Julissa her second Dove Award nomination.[13] Two years later, she was nominated again for the album Adorándote,[14] and in the Arpa Awards.[15] In the same year, Julissa was present in Phoenix for the great NBA All-Star party.[16]

In 2012, she released her album Metamorphosis in two versions: Spanish and English.[17][18] In 2015, she released her most recent album Me vistió de promesas.[19]

In 2017, she participated in the National Hispanic Heritage Month as a representation of Puerto Rico at the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States.[20]

After almost four years of absence from the recording studios, in 2019 Julissa returns with her album Llueve, recorded live in Spring Valley (California) to celebrate her 20 years of music ministry.[21]

Personal life

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During recordings, she met musician, songwriter, and producer Mike Rivera.[22] They married on November 29, 1997 and moved to Dorado, Puerto Rico. Julissa and Mike have three children: John Michael, Alyrah and Jayden.[23]

Collaborations

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In his career, he has recorded songs with Funky,[24] Marcela Gándara,[25] Daniel Calveti,[26] René González, Redimi2, Alex Zurdo,[27] among others, also appearing in various collaborative projects.[28]

Discography

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Awards

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Wins

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  • 1999 Tu Música Awards, Puerto Rico: Christian Album of the Year (Regresará Por Mí)
  • 1999 Tito Lara Awards, Puerto Rico: Revelation Artist
  • 2001 Viva Awards, Guatemala: International Female Voice
  • 2001 Viva Awards, Guatemala: Song of the Year ("Enamorada")
  • 2004 Conquistadores Awards, Los Angeles, CA: Contemporary Album of the Year (Corazón Latino)
  • 2004 Paoli Awards, Orlando, FL: Female Singer of the Year
  • 2004 Latin Music Fan Awards, Los Angeles, CA: Christian Album of the Year (Corazón Latino)
  • 2006 Paoli Awards, Orlando, FL: Female Singer of the Year
  • 2006 Arpa Awards, Mexico: Female Album of the Year (Mi Propósito)

Nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "Julissa Arce Rivera". praisemusic. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Julissa | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "JULISSA". G12 Radio (in Spanish). Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Nuevas grabaciones de Julissa para Espiritu Latino on Altar7 (May 17, 2008)
  5. ^ Biografía de Julissa Archived December 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine en CristianosPr.com
  6. ^ "Julissa grabará su primer disco en inglés | History Maker" (in Spanish). June 15, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  7. ^ 37th Annual GMA Music Awards Nominees Archived November 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on About.com; Jones, Kim
  8. ^ Julissa: Primera voz femenina puertorriqueña nominada al Dove Award on NoticiaCristiana.com (February 14, 2006)
  9. ^ Elliott, Stuart (October 27, 2008). "Cable Channel Tells Viewers: Sing You Sinners (and Saints)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  10. ^ Editor, James D. Davis Religion (August 12, 2006). "CROSS PURPOSES". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved August 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "Mejor así Julissa". www.cancionescristianas.org (in Spanish). September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  12. ^ Julissa; Wiehl, Lis; Henry, April (May 3, 2010). El ritmo de la vida. Grupo Nelson. ISBN 978-1-4185-8194-7.
  13. ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards on CBN
  14. ^ 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced on Tennessean (February 18, 2010)
  15. ^ Cristiana, Red. "Julissa recibe dos nominaciones a los Premios ARPA". Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  16. ^ Hispanosnba.com (February 12, 2009). "La cantante Julissa actuará en el All-Star de Phoenix". hispanosnba.com (in Spanish). Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  17. ^ ""El Gran Yo Soy", nuevo video clip de Julissa – SEPA – Asociación de Editoriales Evangélicas" (in Spanish). May 14, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  18. ^ "Lyrics of Great I Am by Julissa from Metamorphosis Album". Passion for Lord. May 7, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Julissa presenta el tema "Me Vistió de Promesas"". CVCLAVOZ (in Spanish). August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  20. ^ Yonel, Luther. "La Casa Blanca tuvo una visita celestial cuando la cantante cristiana Julissa adoró a Dios. - Mundo De Cristo | Música, Vídeos, Medios y Noticias Cristianas". www.mundodecristo.net. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  21. ^ "Julissa celebra 20 años de ministerio con el álbum "Llueve aquí"". Ambiente Stereo (in Spanish). March 20, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  22. ^ "Julissa transforma con su arte". Primera Hora (in Spanish). March 14, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  23. ^ Neri, Anabella. "Vida familiar y carrera artística de Julissa". aboutespanol. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  24. ^ "Hermano Mio (Invitado Funky) - Julissa | Música Cristiana - Escuchar música cristiana online". Música Cristiana (in Spanish). Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  25. ^ ""Nadie toma tu lugar", la nueva canción de Julissa a dúo con Marcela Gándara – El Mensaje Comunicaciones" (in Spanish). Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  26. ^ "Julissa y Daniel Calveti cantan a dúo "Espíritu de Dios"". Evangelico Digital (in Spanish). Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  27. ^ "Julissa presenta Remix de "Libertad", junto a Su Presencia y Alex Zurdo". Noticias Cristianas y Actualidad. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  28. ^ Gotta Have Musica Cristiana - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved August 10, 2021
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