Ecuadorian Gerardo’s Evolutionary Journey from “Rico Suave” to Industry Mogul

Gerardo Mejía, the Ecuadorian star behind the ’90s hit “Rico Suave,” reflects on his rise to fame, transition into a music executive, and new ventures, including a coffee brand that ties back to his iconic legacy.

In the early ’90s, an unexpected star emerged from Ecuador, shaking up the U.S. music charts with a Spanglish hit no one saw coming. Gerardo Mejía, with his infectious blend of Latin pop and rap, burst into the mainstream with “Rico Suave,” a track that quickly climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s success marked a significant moment in the crossover of Latin music into the American mainstream, solidifying Gerardo as a pop icon and sex symbol virtually overnight.

However, Gerardo’s journey didn’t end with the fading echo of his hit single. Over the decades, he has reinvented himself multiple times—transitioning from pop sensation to music executive, pastor, and entrepreneur. In a recent interview with Billboard, Gerardo opened up about his remarkable career, from his unexpected rise to fame to his pivotal role behind the scenes in shaping the careers of other Latin music stars, including his latest venture into the world of coffee with his Rico Suave brand.

Looking back at the success of “Rico Suave,” Gerardo recalls the whirlwind experience of becoming a household name almost overnight. “At that time, I was like a kid in a candy store,” he said in his Billboard interview. “I didn’t know what was happening.” The song blended English and Spanish lyrics and was groundbreaking for its time, coming well before the Latin music explosion that would take the world by storm in later decades.

“When ‘Rico Suave’ reached No. 7 on the Hot 100, the charts were dominated by rock and pop. There wasn’t much Latin representation except for Gloria Estefan,” Gerardo reflected. “I didn’t know we were breaking into something new. I was just happy to have my record out there.” The song’s popularity was boosted by its music video, which became a fixture on MTV, exposing Gerardo to a broader audience and solidifying his place in pop culture.

Breaking Cultural Barriers with Spanglish

The success of “Rico Suave” wasn’t just about catchy beats and provocative lyrics but also a significant cultural milestone. The song’s Spanglish lyrics helped introduce mainstream American audiences to the blend of English and Spanish that is now common in pop music. But this fusion wasn’t initially part of the plan.

“Originally, ‘Rico Suave’ was all in Spanish,” Gerardo explained in his Billboard interview. “When I got my record deal with Interscope Records, they wanted an all-English version. But I thought we’d lose much of what made the song unique. So, we compromised with a Spanglish version, which everyone knows.” This decision preserved the song’s cultural authenticity and paved the way for future artists to blend languages and cultures into their music.

From Breakdancer to Pop Star

Before he became known as the “Rico Suave” guy, Gerardo was already making waves as a breakdancer in California. His talent for dancing earned him recognition at a young age, culminating in a national breakdancing contest win that netted him $50,000. This victory gave him the confidence to pursue an entertainment career, which his father supported wholeheartedly.

“My dad built me a dance studio and always encouraged me to perform,” Gerardo reminisced. “When I won that contest, I knew I wanted to make a career out of it. My father was like, ‘Go for it, but make sure you have something to fall back on.'” That support and the exposure to American and Ecuadorian cultures profoundly influenced Gerardo’s musical style and personal identity, laying the groundwork for his future success.

Gerardo’s transition from pop star to music executive is a testament to his adaptability and business acumen. After the peak of his performing career, he began working behind the scenes, leveraging his experience and connections to help other artists break into the mainstream. One of his most significant achievements was playing a pivotal role in Enrique Iglesias’s breakthrough in the U.S.

“After the ‘Rico Suave’ era, I was broke,” Gerardo admitted in his interview with Billboard. “But I knew music and how to work with artists. I went back to the people who had hired me as an artist and convinced them to let me work as an A&R. Within a year, I signed Enrique Iglesias to Interscope Records and worked on his albums ‘Enrique’ and ‘Escape.'”

His work with Enrique Iglesias was just the beginning. Gerardo played a significant role in the rise of reggaetón, working with artists like Jowell & Randy and Arcángel. “I saw the potential in reggaetón early on. When I was with Univision Records, I knew it would be huge,” Gerardo recalled. His foresight helped bring reggaetón to a broader audience, contributing to its global popularity today.

Embracing Christian Music

In the mid-2000s, Gerardo experienced a significant personal transformation that led him to embrace Christian music. After facing a struggle and disillusionment, he turned to faith and began creating music that reflected his spiritual journey. His 2004 album “180°” marked his entry into Christian rap, a relatively new genre.

“Rappers don’t rely on vocal skills as much as on our experiences,” Gerardo said, explaining the shift in his Billboard interview. “There was a time when I felt like I had lost everything. I gave my life to God and decided to serve Him through music.” Despite his initial reluctance, his pastor encouraged him to return to music, creating “180°,” which became a pivotal work in his career. The album and his later compilation, “La Iglesia de la Calle,” connected deeply with listeners and marked a new chapter in Gerardo’s life and career.

One of Gerardo’s most meaningful collaborations during this period was with Vico C, a pioneer of Spanish-language rap. Together, they created the song “Raperito,” which spoke to the struggles of young rappers trying to find their way. “I reached out to Vico because his music had inspired me so much,” Gerardo said in his Billboard interview. “I wanted to guide the up-and-coming generation going through the same challenges we did.”

Their collaboration was more than just a musical partnership; it was a shared mission to use their influence to make a positive impact. The song was well-received, and the video, filmed in Venezuela, further cemented their status as influential figures in the Christian music scene.

Discovering New Talent

Gerardo’s ability to spot talent has continued to serve him well in his role as a music executive. His latest success story is FloyyMenor, the Chilean artist whose hit “Gata Only” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 consecutive weeks. Gerardo’s discovery of FloyyMenor is a testament to his keen ear for emerging trends and his commitment to nurturing new artists.

“When I saw Floyy, I saw a young, hungry kid with lyrics,” Gerardo said. “He had put out music that millions were listening to, but nobody knew who he was. His music spoke for itself.” Despite initial resistance, Gerardo convinced Floyy to release “Gata Only” at the right time, leading to its massive success. “It just kept growing. The moment Cris MJ wanted to be on the song, I knew it was going to be huge.”

Gerardo’s entrepreneurial spirit has also led him to explore new avenues outside of music. During a trip to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, he discovered a high-quality Ecuadorian coffee that inspired him to launch his own brand, Rico Suave Coffee. “I sat down with a guy who was selling this amazing coffee to big brands like Starbucks, but he didn’t have his own brand. We became partners, and I started promoting it just like I would an artist,” he shared with Billboard.

For Gerardo, the coffee venture is more than just a business; it’s a way to reconnect with his roots and leverage his legacy in a new and meaningful way. “There’s no difference in how I promote an artist and how I promote my coffee. It’s about following the people, understanding the market, and building a brand that resonates.”

What’s Next for Gerardo?

With a career that has spanned music, film, faith, and entrepreneurship, Gerardo continues to evolve and adapt. He remains passionate about discovering and nurturing new talent, and he sees big things on the horizon for the Latin music industry. “I hope to find those stars that are home right now, the ones who might not look the part but have something special in their music,” he said in his Billboard interview.

Gerardo’s journey from “Rico Suave” pop star to seasoned music executive and entrepreneur is a testament to his resilience, creativity, and unwavering belief in following his passions. Whether it’s guiding the next generation of artists or brewing the perfect cup of coffee, Gerardo continues to leave his mark on the world, one beat—and one sip—at a time.

As Gerardo reflects on his multifaceted career, it’s clear that his journey has brought him full circle, reconnecting him with his roots in unexpected ways. His coffee brand, Rico Suave Coffee, is more than just a business venture; it represents a return to the cultural and familial influences that shaped him as an artist and entrepreneur. “It’s about honoring where I come from,” Gerardo shared in his Billboard interview. “Ecuador has always been a part of who I am, and now I get to share a piece of that with the world.”

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In many ways, Gerardo’s evolution mirrors the broader trends in the Latin music industry—one that is constantly adapting, innovating, and finding new ways to connect with global audiences. His ability to pivot from a pop star to a behind-the-scenes powerhouse exemplifies the versatility and resilience that are increasingly defining Latin music’s global impact.