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Jennifer Peña

 
Artist: Jennifer Peña
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists
Jennifer Peña

Similar Artists:

Selena, Pilar Montenegro, Ana Bárbara

Influenced By:

Juan Gabriel, Thalía, A.B. Quintanilla y los Kumbia Kings, Paulina Rubio

Formal Connection With:

Obie Bermúdez, Rudy Pérez, Kike Santander, A.B. Quintanilla III
See Jennifer Peña Lyrics
  • Born: September 17, 1983
  • Active: 2000s
  • Genres: Latin
  • Instrument: Vocals
  • Representative Albums: "Dicen Que el Tiempo," "Seducción," "Houston Rodeo Live"

Biography

For the first phase of her career, Jennifer Peña was constantly compared to Selena, with whom she had professional ties, but with time she came into her own stylistically and became one of the more accomplished young singers in popular Latin music. Peña's ties to Selena go back to 1995, when she performed on-stage at the latter's Houston Astrodome tribute concert. This was the performance that launched Peña's career, as she subsequently was taken under the wing of Selena's family, the Quintanillas, who would manage and produce her EMI Latin recordings as part of the tejano group Jennifer y los Jetz. As part of this group, Peña, barely a teenager at the time, enjoyed a favorable amount of success on the regional Mexican circuit with hits like "Ven a Mi," "Tengo Miedo," and "Abrázame y Bésame." When she turned 18, she signed a new recording contract and embarked on a solo career with Univision as a Latin pop singer, beginning with Libre (2002). Peña shot to fame at this point, as her debut solo single, "El Dolor de Tu Presencia," spent eight straight weeks atop the Hot Latin Tracks chart. Her second album, Seducción (2004), followed suit with another chart-topping ballad, "Vivo y Muero en Tu Piel." Both of these albums were number ones, each selling over 300,000 units. Peña's career took a slight turn in the years that followed. She entered the world of film, for instance, and dated fellow Latin pop star Obie Bermúdez, with whom she co-wrote her third album, Dicen Que el Tiempo (2007), which she also co-produced. Born on September 17, 1983, in San Antonio and raised in Corpus Christi, Jennifer Marcella Peña Cantú began her professional career at age 11, when she performed on-stage at a Selena tribute concert held at the Houston Astrodome. Her recording career commenced only a year later with Dulzura (1996), after she'd signed a management deal with Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. (i.e., Q Productions), and a recording contract with EMI Latin, Selena's former label. Produced by Selena's brother, Abraham Quintanilla III, aka A.B. Quintanilla of Los Kumbia Kings fame, the album was fairly successful, spawning a pair of hits, "Pura Dulzura" and "Ven a Mi." The Quintanillas shaped Peña into a younger version of Selena, whom they'd likewise managed and produced: Jennifer y los Jetz, as she was billed, purposefully resembled Selena y los Dinos, as did the group's music, which was a sugar-coated mix of tejano, cumbia, and ballads. A few more Jennifer y los Jetz albums followed, each produced by Quintanilla III: Jennifer y los Jetz (1997), Mariposa (1998), and Abrázame y Bésame (2000). The former two featured a few minor hits ("Tu Castigo," "Cosquillitas," "Tengo Miedo"), whereas the latter became a major success. Essentially an album by Quintanilla III's group, Los Kumbia Kings, with Peña as the frontwoman, Abrázame y Bésame boasted a string of hits ("Abrázame y Bésame," "Si Tú Te Vas," "Contigo Otra Vez," "No Te Voy a Perdonar") and was nominated for a Grammy (Best Regional Mexican Performance). At this point, with her future never brighter, Peña split from the Quintanillas and pursued a solo career. She signed a new recording contract, this one with Hispanic media giant Univision, and when she made her label debut, Libre (2002), the title spoke volumes. Free of her former handlers as well as the stylistic confines of tejano, Peña was teamed with Latin pop hitmakers Rudy Pérez and Kike Santander and broadened her style considerably. In particular, she indulged in sweeping romantic balladry such as lead single "El Dolor de Tu Presencia," which topped the Hot Latin Tracks chart for eight consecutive weeks, in the process driving Libre all the way to number two on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart. The album's two further hit singles, "Entre el Delirio y la Locura" and "A Fuego Lento," were both ballads also. The manic album-closer, "Vamos al Mundial," which was chosen by the Univision television network as one of the official songs of the 2002 World Cup, showcased a much more upbeat side of Peña. And, of course, there was plenty of tejano, albeit of a relatively watered-down variety, to be found elsewhere on the album, in addition to several cumbia versions tacked on as bonus tracks. Overall, Libre was a considerable leap forward for the 18-year-old former Princesa de la Música Tejana, and it earned her a long list of accolades, including another Grammy nomination (Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album), a Premios Lo Nuestro Award (Female Regional Mexican Artist of the Year), two South Texas Music Awards (Female Vocalist of the Year, Female Entertainer of the Year), and four Billboard Latin Music Award nominations. Peña followed up her solo breakthrough with a similar album, Seducción (2004). Again helmed by producers Rudy Pérez and Kike Santander, with Emilio Estefan also providing oversight, the album is strikingly similar in approach to Libre. If anything, there's a greater emphasis on the sweeping ballads that proved so successful on the previous go-round. Lead single "Vivo y Muero en Tu Piel," written by Pérez, was one such ballad, and it spent five weeks atop the Hot Latin Tracks chart, affirming Peña's talent for delivering slick, big-sounding romance. "Hasta el Fin del Mundo," the second single, also written by Pérez, this time in conjunction with Manny López, followed the same template: a glossy ballad with an uplifting, multi-tracked chorus and a touch of electric guitar soloing on the bridge. "Si Yo Me Vuelvo a Enamorar," the other single to break the Hot Latin Tracks Top 20, was the exception, employing aspects of regional Mexican music. "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tú," a Spanish-language cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," then recently popularized by Lauryn Hill, was also released as a single. Seducción didn't earn Peña the accolades that her Univision debut had, yet it solidified her audience, selling just as well (300,000-plus units) and topping the Latin album chart in the process. While the album was still riding high on the charts, Univision released Houston Rodeo Live, a Top Ten-charting concert album that had been recorded in front of 45,000 fans at the Astrodome during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Peña's third solo album, Dicen Que el Tiempo (2007), reflected the growth she experienced during her time off in the wake of the back-to-back successes of Libre and Seducción. For one, Peña dated Obie Bermúdez, a similarly young and successful Latin pop artist; notably, the two appeared together on El Show de Cristina, where they sang a duet. Secondly, Peña began acting in films, beginning with the MTV production All You've Got (2006); another supporting role followed, in the independent film Amexicano (2007). When Peña did return to the studio to begin work on Dicen Que el Tiempo, she entered with Bermúdez at her side, along with his producer, Sebastián Krys, who has a long track record of hitmaking. Moreover, she'd co-written ten of the 12 songs that would end up on the album, and nine of those ten had been written with Bermúdez, who is a gifted songwriter. The one cover song, Juan Gabriel's "Pero Qué Necesidad," is a duet featuring Peña and Bermúdez. The album's lead single, "Como Entender," unsurprisingly was a sweeping ballad; however, it's one of the few on the album, which showcases a refreshing breadth of styles. There's no escaping the imprint of Bermúdez on Dicen Que el Tiempo, for the album plainly resembles recent releases of his such as Lo Que Trajo el Barco (2006) and Todo el Año (2004). Upon its release, Dicen Que el Tiempo didn't match the commercial success of its predecessors, though it was well received by fans and critics alike. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Jennifer Peña
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Jennifer Peña

Background information
Birth name Jennifer Marcella Peña
Born September 17, 1983 (1983-09-17) (age 25)
Origin San Antonio, Texas U.S.
Genre(s) Latin, pop,Tejano
Occupation(s) Singer 1995- Current
Actress 2006- Current Producer/Songwriter 2004-Current
Years active 1995-present
Label(s) EMI Latin (1995-2000)
Univision Music Group (2002-2008)
Universal (2008-Present)
Associated acts Jennifer y los Jetz
Website http://jenniferpena.com

Jennifer Marcella Peña (born September 17, 1983 in San Antonio, Texas), is a three-time Grammy-nominated, Latin Pop/Tejano singer and actress who has sold over 3.5 million records internationally. Jennifer is the third and youngest daughter of Jaime and Mary Peña with other siblings Janet and Jackie . Jennifer is of Mexican descent native to the state of Texas raised in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Contents

Los Jetz ERA

Jennifer first achieved notoriety after performing at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas during a Selena tribute concert in 1995 while under management with Q Productions and Abraham Quintanilla II, who was Selena's father and former manager. This was Jennifer's first public performance on a grand scale performing Bidi Bidi Bom Bom a #1 song for the late Latin superstar Selena. Jennifer's first studio album Jennifer y Los Jetz Dulzura released in May 1996 was produced by Abraham Quintanilla III and introduced her to the music scene officially at the tender age of 12 the title track and "Ven a mí" (a Spanish-language cover of The Drifters' "Dance with Me") garnered her a loyal fanbase. The album sold quite well in the Latin market, certified gold and winning several Tejano Music Awards. At the time Tejano Music was in its prime and Jennifer was another staple act in the scene. Her introduction was both praised and criticized mainly in part due the artistic similarities between Selena and she. The comparisons came and went, but Jennifer managed to continue winning over fans. The year 1997 saw the release of her second album, Jennifer Y Los Jetz , with the singles "Tu Castigo" and "Yo Te Vi," being promoted and drawing the same level of success Dulzura had achieved winning another gold certification.

In 1998, she released Mariposa with "Tengo Miedo" as the lead single, another hit in the Latin market, and in Mexico where she toured extensively, the album became Jennifer's third album to be certified gold. By 2000 Jennifer was the most prominent female Tejano singer for which had been long dubbed La Princesa De La Musica Tejano ( The Princess Of Tejano Music) her most commercially and critically acclaimed album while under Q's management was 2000's Abrázame y Bésame, for which Jennifer was now billed as a solo act but still with band Los Jetz the album was produced by Abraham Quintanilla III. Showcasing a more mature sound for Peña, the title track, a duet with former Kumbia Kings frontman DJ Kane, was the most successful single. Other hits - "Si Tú Te Vas," "Contigo Otra Vez," and "No Te Voy a Perdonar" - hit strong again in the USA and in Mexico, garnering her a 2001 Grammy nomination and multiple Tejano Music Awards. Jennifer continued to promote and tour extensively after the release of every album under Q's management and with Label EMI-Latin

Univision Music Group and Latin Pop Venture

After a few years of management under Q Productions, Peña opted to further her career by signing with the then new label Univision Music Group, whose president had launched Selena's career while at EMI Latin, which he headed until 2000. Under UMG, Peña was billed as a Latin pop artist. In 2002, she released Libre, produced by Rudy Perez and Kike Santander. Rudy Perez wrote the album's biggest hits: "Vamos al Mundial," which was chosen as the anthem for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and "El Dolor de Tu Presencia," which catapulted Peña's popularity, spending eight consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks. "Entre el Delirio y la Locura" soon followed. Libre sold over 300,000 units. In 2003 Libre was nominated for a Grammy and earned her a Premio Lo Nuestro. The year 2004 saw the release of her second album with UMG, Seducción, which was produced by Rudy Perez,Gustavo and Kike Santander, and Emilio Estefan — Rudy Perez was the genius behind another #1 hit "Vivo y muero en tu piel" — the album kept up the momentum of her previous release, again selling over 300,000 units which offered a wider appeal to Jennifer's music by offering some alternate takes on tejano/pop and even a country flavored Para Olvidarerte De Mi. In 2004 Peña performed to a crowd of over 61,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a venue that has hosted the Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks and Beyoncé, and also recording a live album that was released later that same year. Following her commercial success, Peña has performed for President George W. Bush and is actively involved with youth programs against substance abuse.

Peña has also ventured into film, appearing in MTV's All You've Got with Ciara in 2006 and Amexicano in 2007 which was released at the Tribeca Film Festival is awaiting a release date.

On February 27, 2007, Dicen que el tiempo was released which debuted at #16 on Billboard Top Latin Album, with "Como Entender" being promoted as the first single, followed by "Tuya" in late April. Since the release both the album and single has garnered lukewarm reception cracking the Top 25 positions on Billboard and selling out the initial shipment of 80,000 units. Jennifer is on hiatus after promoting the album all across the US and Puerto Rico with TV slots on MTV Tr3s as the artist of the month and extensive radio promotion. The second single "Tuya", reached its peak position at #5 on Billboard charts as of September 2007." Dicen Que El Tiempo" did not fare well in sales in comparison to previous efforts but won Jennifer critical acclaim and was well received by fans the album although a departure from both her Pop Ballads and Tejano Sound was produced by Jennifer and Sebastian Kyrs and also included additional songwriting and production by Obie Bermudez. On December '06, 2007 "Dicen Que El Tiempo" was nominated for a Grammy.

In April 2007, Peña announced on her official message board that she was engaged to Puerto Rican singer Obie Bermudez, and that they were expecting their first child. They shared their good news again during an appearance on the April 26, 2007, edition of "Mi TRL" on MTV Tr3s. The couple was married in a private ceremony in her homestate of Texas on June 3, 2007.[1] The couple welcomed their first child, son Jobien, on November 6, 2007. The baby was a week late. [2] Currently Jennifer musical career is on hold while she is a full time mother to her son who resides in her native state of Texas along with husband and singer-songwriter Obie Bermudez.

Albums and Singles Chart

EMI-Latin Records & Q Productions as Jennifer Y Los Jetz

  • Dulzura (Sweetness) # 11 Latin Pop Albums (1996) 200, 000 units sold
  • Jennifer (Jennifer) # 9 Latin Pop Albums (1997) 200,000 units sold
  • Selena Soundtrack #7 Top 200 Charts (1997) 2,000,000 units sold (performer only on Track Vivirás Selena)
  • Mariposa (Butterfly) # 36 Latin Pop Albums(1998) 200,000
  • Abrázame Y Bésame (2000) # 26 Latin Pop Albums (Hug me and kiss me) 200,000 units sold

Univisión Records as Jennifer Pena

Singles

Awards and Recognitions

  • GRAMMY AWARDS

2001 Best Mexican American Performance " Abrasame Y Besame" Nominated

2003 Best Mexican American Performance " Libre" Nominated

2007 Producer Of The Year "Dicen Que El Tiempo" Nominated

2008 Best Latin Pop Album " Dicen Que El Tiempo" Nominated


  • BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC AWARDS

2003Hot Latin Track of The Year ( El Dolor De Tu Presencia ) Nominated

2003 Pop Airplay Track of The Year ( El Dolor De Tu Presencia) Nominated

2003 Regional Airplay Track of The Year ( El Dolor De Tu Presencia Norteno Version) Nominated

2003 Album of The Year ( Libre) WIN


  • PREMIO LO NUESTRO

2004 Female Entertainer of The Year


  • TEJANO MUSIC AWARDS

1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 Female Entertainer of The Year

1998 Most Promising Band

1999, 2001, 2003 Female Vocalist of The Year


  • South Texas Music Awards


2002, 2003 Female Vocalist of The Year

2002, 2003 Female Entertainer of The Year

FILM

References

  1. ^ http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/en/articles/0,28704,1629884,00.html
  2. ^ Update: Jennifer Peña gives birth to son Jobien: Celebrity Baby Blog

External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jennifer Peña
v • d • e
Jennifer Peña
Studio albums
Other albums
Singles
"El Dolor de Tu Presencia"  · "Entre el Delirio y la Locura"  · "A Fuego Lento"  · "Vivo y Muero en Tu Piel"  · "Hasta el Fin del Mundo"  · "No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tú (Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You)"  · "Si Yo Me Vuelvo a Enamorar"  · "Cómo Entender"  · "Tuya"

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
Billboard Latin Music Awards 2003: Mexican (2003 Album by Various Artists)
Latin Grammy Nominees 2003: Regional Mexican (2003 Album by Various Artists)
Jennifer y los Jetz (Latin Band, '90s, 2000s)

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