Ricky Martin
The popularity of this hot Puerto-Rican spans far beyond Latin America. The talent of the future idol of rousing rhythms’ fans manifested itself since his early childhood. Being a child, Ricky played in school performances, acted in advertisings, and sang in choir. The first step to the world glory Ricky Martin made when he participated in the audition for the vacant place in the mega-popular pop-group Menudo. Unfortunately, as he was too young, Ricky was not taken to the group from the first time. But he did that in two years after the first audition. In 1984, he started working in the band. Touring with the group around Latin America, Ricky Martin got a great experience. He was with the group till 1989 and then Ricky decided to embark on a solo career.
After signing to Sony Discos Company, Ricky Martin released his first Spanish language CD titled Ricky Martin (1991). The album was successful and Ricky Martin toured in Southern America to support it. After the release of the second album Me Amaràs (1993), Ricky Martin decided to start reaching new peaks and went to Los Angeles in 1994. There he starred in a popular TV series General Hospital, and then – in a Broadway musical. Despite his rather good acting career, Ricky Martin worked at his solo music career. Ricky Martin’s next album A Medio Vivir (1995) led him to the European level and made him one of the outstanding Latin-American artists. The song «Maria» became a real dancing hit. Thanks to this single, Ricky Martin got the popularity in Europe. Another hit from this CD was a slow song «Te Extraño», «Te Olvido», and «Te Amo».
Being already famous, Ricky Martin released his next album Vuelve (1998). This album earned him a Grammy for «Best Latin Pop Album». The same year, the song «The Cup of Life» (Spanish La Copa de la Vida) became an official hymn of the World Football Championship held in France. This fact, without doubts, contributed to Vuelve’s great success. In 1999, Ricky Martin released his first English language album Ricky Martin. The single «Livin' La Vida Loca» peaked on all famous charts. The most popular single of the next album Sound Loaded (2000) was a rhythmic and rousing song «She Bangs», which received a great number of awards and, surely, recognition of admirers. The second hit from this album was a lyrical song «She's All I Ever Had». In 2001, Ricky released albums of the best songs «La Historia» (in Spanish) and «The Best of Ricky Martin» (in English). Tops of the charts were reached by singles «Tal Vez», «Jaleo», and «Y Todo Quede En Nada» from the Spanish language album Almas Del Silencio (2003). In 2005, Ricky released the first English language album since Sound Loaded titled Life, where Martin was a co-author of most of the songs. The ninth album of the most famous Puerto Rican singer is titled «Music+Soul+Sex/Musica+Alma+Sexo». The album was released in the beginning of 2011 and it included both Spanish and English language songs.
