 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Thanks to Ricky Martin,
the world is swaying to Latino
music
With Peurto Rican singer Ricky Martin being named the ‘Entertainer
Of The Year’ by the leading US
e
ntertainment
magazine Entertainment Weekly, it appears that Latino sounds have begun to
cast their spell on the music buffs.Most listeners hadn’t even heard
of Ricky Martin though he was already a superstar overseas, especially in
the Spanish-speaking region. It was in February 1999, that the “dancing
Don Juan” as he is popularly called, suddenly seduced America with his
“who’s-that-boy performance” of La Copa de la
Vida
A study of the music scene in 1999 reveals the
sudden spurt of Latino music and singers. You got to see Ricky Martin, Jennifer
Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony ruling the international countdown
charts (including the coveted Billboard Charts) with their danceable Spanish
numbers.
Never before had one witnessed a deluge (four singers may not exactly qualify to be described as a deluge, but when compared to the non-existence of Latino singers all these years on the music scene, it is.
Not that they went unnoticed earlier. Latino rhythm did get to the music lovers thanks to its exponents Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias, who made their mark on the international pop scene, but they did not really become as ‘big’ as the US or UK singers.
This latest dominance of Latino singers over American and English singers is a cause to celebrate. And the person responsible for the Latino boom is Ricky Martin, who became an instant craze with his Un dos tres Maria, followed by the official World Cup number Cup of life.
With his catchy numbers
and hip-swinging dances, the dimunitive Martin became a sensation in a matter
of months. Thanks to him, Latino music ruled the roost, with even those not
well-versed in the Spanish language humming the numbers.
Martin set a trend which undoubtedly helped Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias, all good singers. Lopez’s debut album On The 6 and Enrique Iglesias’ self-titled album resulted in unprecedented sales among Latino artists.
Even in India, it was Martin who aroused interest in Latino music, which gained momentum after he gave a concert in Delhi. Today albums by Latin artists account for huge sales in India too. Says music analyst Amod Mehra, “Earlier Latin music by Gloria Estefan or Gypsy Kings was bought by a select few. The market is growing after the arrival of Ricky Martin. That’s because Latino music is basically party and dance music. And it is very Indian in a way, more like our Goan music, which in turn is influenced by Portuguese music.”
So you have Lou Bega with his Mambo No. 5, and Vengaboyz with their super successful party album, who also fall into the category of Latino music, compelling you to shake a leg. And to think that Martin, who turned 28 this Christmas, was an unknown name 12 months ago.
Most listeners hadn’t even heard of this Puerto Rican sex-symbol and pop sensation — though he was already a superstar overseas, especially in the Spanish-speaking region. It was in February 1999, that the “dancing Don Juan” as he is popularly called, suddenly seduced America with his “who’s-that-boy performance” of La Copa de la Vida (the official soccer song for World Cup) during the Grammys telecast.
He was the cynosure of all eyes again at the MTV Video Awards, where he won the Best Dance and Best Pop honours. Right now, Ricky Martin, the singer’s first English-language album, has sold more than six million copies and spawned three hit singles, including the inescapable Livin’ la Vida Loca.
Today, Martin’s fan-following is vast. “It’s been crazy,” says Martin in an interview. The singer made his foray into showbiz 16 years ago with a local singing group Menudo, and began strategising for his U.S. breakthrough nearly a decade ago with roles on television series General Hospital, and in Broadway’s Les Misrables. “I’ve been working non-stop since I was 12, and intensely for the last three years at least,” says Martin explaining his sudden rise.
Though
solely responsible for igniting the current Latino boom, Martin’s
particular fusion of mambo, salsa, and pop-rock has been done before by
Gloria Estefan and many others.
But what sets him apart is his heartfelt mission - to shatter stereotypes of Latinos, specifically Puerto Ricans, who have been used as a punchline among white Americans for decades. “Whatever it is that I have to do to unite Puerto Rico or Latin America with the rest of the world, well, let’s go for it,” Martin has always maintained.
In keeping with this mission of his, Martin will begin
work on another album in which he wants to “try some things and
evolve.” Eventually, Martin plans to make his way to Hollywood, but
that will be only after he establishes himself as a singer. Which he already
has, and the title given to him is proof enough. Martin’s a star because
his music is easy on the ears, and everything else about him is easy on the
eyes!
Salma
Khatib