Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Melvin López Rivera, known in the artistic world as Mijo de la Palma, has died. Journalist Hermes Ayala was among the friends who confirmed the news on social networks.
“My little brother… you don't suffer anymore… and I miss you already… Mijo de la Palma… a renegade hero of national music has left us… and I feel as if they have a song torn from my heart …,” he published on his X account, with pictures of the interpreter.
My little brother… you don't suffer anymore… and I miss you already… Mijo de la Palma… a renegade hero of national music has left us… and I feel like they have me a song ripped my heart away… 🥺🖤 pic.twitter.com/R6sjqSsmks
— Hermes Ayala (@traficopesado) January 12, 2024
According to information shared on the singer-songwriter's social networks and GoFundMe account to raise funds for his treatment, the artist has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “Mijo de la Palma touched many people throughout his life… his music, his style, his heart, his dedication… many wait for the next secret concert to find him on a corner with his guitar; Many of his songs seem to have been written for us and this gift will live on forever,” part of the letter reads. “It is with broken hearts that we inform you that he has been unwell for some time, this week he couldn't take it anymore and was admitted to hospital and although doctors are still working on the next steps, the provisional diagnosis is pancreatic cancer. “We are working to get all the help available from the health department, but there is a great financial need,” he added.
In December 2023, several colleagues were invited to a benefit concert in Corozal. Hermes and Ale Croatto, Millo Torres, Cheryl Rivera and Javier Hiram (Vivanativa) and Mel Padilla were among the artists who collaborated for the cause.
According to the National Foundation for Popular Culture, its origins in music at the professional level date back to the 1990s. Since then, after dropping out of law school at the University of Texas at San Antonio and studying criminal justice at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, he continued to remain very active in the music scene, primarily with the rhythms of Puerto Rican popular music. His many recordings include his album En Direct, which he recorded in 2010 and which contains the songs La Promesa, Ahi se Va, Puerto Rico en Cuatro Velas, Jugué and Madrecita Mia. His colleagues repeatedly emphasized his simplicity and his love of nature.