Lucas Rivera
His album is a hit on all platforms. (Photo: Courtesy/Lucas Rivera)

The multifaceted Puerto Rican artist Lucas Rivera travels from California to present a live musical performance featuring bomba, plena, rumba, hip hop, jazz, and bolero, inspired by his book “My AfroRican State of Soul,” at Teatro Esperanza on January 24, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Lucas will be joined by his musical director, Jhan Lee Aponte (Tosstones), and several dancers. The performance will also feature Esperanza’s musical director, Dr. Jay Fluellen, as well as Philadelphia’s group “Los Bomberos de la Calle” and members of the Association of Latin American Musicians.

During his time in the City of Brotherly Love, this renowned artist developed and implemented an art-focused educational program for high school students at Esperanza Academy Charter School and served as the director of the Association of Latin American Musicians (AMLA).

His work narrates his life through poetry and prose, divided into four parts titled «Identity,» «Struggle,» «Love,» and «Faith.» The book contains poetry written over the span of 20 years.

Lucas Rivera
Lucas Rivera presents his book at Taller Puertorriqueño. (Photo: Courtesy/Lucas Rivera)

Lucas was born 47 years ago in the Puerto Rican town of Salinas. He moved to New York with his mother and four siblings due to his father’s abuse toward his mother. Later, he lived in North Philadelphia, where in 1992 Taller Puertorriqueño helped him define his Afro-Boricua identity, start loving himself, and learn about the injustices on the Island.

“Each poem is based on an event in my life or what I’ve been dealing with since childhood,” the author shares. In his book, Lucas delves into his personal life, including how he met his wife Rubí Pacheco and the birth of their first son, Lucas. There is also “a conversation and understanding of forgiving my father for not being there while I grew up amidst drug dealers and violence.”

According to the artist, the COVID-19 pandemic and a two-semester course at the University of Southern California’s Institute for Community Literature allowed him to write and complete his book. “Through these classes, I learned structure and the discipline to work for a year organizing the material and completing my work,” he explains.

Lucas Rivera
Alongside Puerto Rican musician Jhan Lee Aponte. (Photo: Courtesy/Lucas Rivera)

After finishing his book, he realized that many of his poems had a rhythm. He selected seven of them for his album Soy Afro-Rican, released in September 2023, which he produced with his friend and composer Jhan Lee Aponte. The album includes tracks like “In the Beginning,” “Yo Soy,” “A Puerto Rican Proclamation,” “El Bembé,” “Sin Clave,” “Corazón Negro,” and “Love Poem.”

Lucas Rivera
Lucas Rivera will provide opportunities for local musicians in his performance. (Photo: Courtesy/Lucas Rivera)

The beginning of his love story with his wife Rubí Pacheco is commemorated in the poem “Rubí with an i.” Lucas asserts that Rubí has provided him with unwavering support. “Besides being my biggest fan, she’s also my most significant critic of what I do. I draw inspiration from her and my children, Lucas and Kahlo, because of the love I have for them, and I celebrate our triumphs as a family,” he affirms.

Lucas Rivera
As a family man and multifaceted artist, he is proud to be Afro-Boricua. (Photo: Courtesy/Lucas Rivera)

Lucas is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in spoken word and poetry. He has also ventured into other areas, such as painting and stained glass. His visual and musical works have been showcased in Puerto Rico, Texas, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Additionally, he founded Sakul Creative in 2020, a consulting agency focused on event strategy and community-based program development.

Lucas lives with his wife and children in Los Angeles, where he has worked as an executive director in marketing, event planning, nonprofit management, and program development, among other roles.

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