JOP Reacts to Fuerza Regida Being No. 1 on 2023 Top Artists – Duo/Group Chart: ‘I’m Speechless’

Since Fuerza Regida graced the cover of Billboard Español in June, their ascent has been consistent.

For starters, the quintet made Billboard history by becoming the first Latin band to be No. 1 on the Top Artists – Duo/Group list of Billboard‘s year-end charts, followed by Grupo Frontera and Fleetwood Mac. (Previous No. 1 artists on the list have included Destiny’s Child, Green Day, The Black Eyed Peas, One Direction, Jonas Brothers and BTS.) 

“We’ve been working a lot with the whole team, con toda la mafia de la calle, with Mob Street Records to get where we’re at right now,” Jesús Ortiz Paz (aka JOP) tells Billboard Español during an Instagram Live. The frontman was driving in Culiacán, México, accompanied by a few of his label artists and songwriters such as Calle 24 and Miguel Armenta, after performing several shows with Fuerza. “We just sold out a show right now, and we’re happier than ever.” 

As for claiming the No. 1 spot on the Top Artists – Duo/Group chart, JOP said, “I’m speechless, really. Coming from where we come from, not many people get out [of the hood], whether they get out alive, are dead, or go to jail. I just have to say that I am grateful to God, and to all my family, my mom, my dad, and all my friends. If it wasn’t for everyone’s help, and also the fans, we wouldn’t be here. Fuerza Regida and I are in charge of continuing to give [fans] great music and, God willing, I will continue to give until the last straw.”

Amid the group’s Otra Peda Tour — which commenced at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and made stops in Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas before concluding last week in Anaheim at the Honda Center — the band released its most successful album to date, Pa Las Babys y la Belikeada in October. With said release, Fuerza Regida secured a career-high debut on the Top Latin Albums chart. The group also snagged a fiery polka-driven banda collaboration with Shakira with “El Jefe.”

During the IG Live, fans also asked the San Bernardino native questions, such as what is the group’s favorite taco spot in SB, who’s the grumpiest, what’s their favorite song they’ve created and more. Check it out below.