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Ricky Martin Information
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'Ricky Martin' (born 'Enrique José Martén Morales' in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 24, 1971) is a Latin Pop singer, who rose to fame, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1990. He has sold over 40 million records since the start of his career. He has headed what is considered a Latin Pop music movement that has opened the doors for some of his Latin-American fellow singers like Shakira or Thaléa.
Biography
Martin has achieved worldwide success, starting with his selection to substitute Ricky Melendez in Latin boy band Menudo from 1984 until 1989. His meteoric ascent to fame started in Menudo's homebase, Caguas, site of his first concert. He signed with Sony in 1990.
His career continued after he left Menudo. He moved to Mexico City. There he started an acting career, first in theater in productions like Mamá ama el rock, Atrapada en los 60s and Los tenis Rojos with Angelica Maréa and Angélica Vale. He participated in soap operas like Alcanzar Una Polla "Por Siempre Amigos (1987)" and others, performed in the music group Munecas De Papel. His acting career in Mexico, however, was quite modest.
Ricky established himself in Miami and connected with music creator Desmond Child and Puerto Rican agent Angelo Medina. With these 2 in tow, Ricky created hits like "Maréa," "The Cup of Life," and "Livin' La Vida Loca." He sang "The Cup Of Life" during a World Cup broadcast that gave him worldwide exposure, but it was "Livin' La Vida Loca" which became a massive crossover summer hit, made him popular around the world and propelled him into the covers of Tiger Beat and many other major magazines worldwide.
One of Ricky's career high points was the recording of the Spanglish ballad "Cuidado Con Mi Corazon" with Madonna and William Orbit. The original version was written with Patrick Leonard and the first demo remains just one of many unreleased Madonna songs.
Ricky was chosen, along with Félix Trinidad in 1999, to lead Puerto Rico's worldwide tourism campaign, both exemplifying Puerto Rico's youthfulness, enthusiasm and "never give up" character. Martin has also teamed up with former Menudo bandmate Robi Rosa, who wrote many of Ricky's hits. In 2003, Martin announced that he and his agent, Angelo Medina, have parted ways. In February of 2004, Martin received a lifetime achievement award at the Premios Lo Nuestro in Miami. Martin has released his newest album as of October 11, 2005. On the same day he announce that a tour will begin on the 15th of November 2005.
Martin recently adopted three little girls from India. The Ricky Martin Foundation created a project called People For Children, which aims to eliminate the industry of sexual exploitation and trafficking of children worldwide. His first benefit will be held in Mexico City Mexico on Nov 10th 2005.
Discography
Albums
See Ricky Martin's discography 1991“2003.
* Ricky Martin (1991 version) - WW Sales: 500,000
* Me Amarás (1993) - WW Sales: 1,000,000
* A Medio Vivir (1995) - WW Sales: 7,000,000
* Vuelve (1998) - #40 US, WW Sales: 8,000,000
* Ricky Martin (1999 version) - '#1' US, #2 UK, WW Sales: 17,000,000
* Sound Loaded (2000) - #4 US, #14 UK, WW Sales: 7,000,000
* La Historia (2001) - #83 US, WW Sales: 3,500,000
* The Best of Ricky Martin (2001) - WW Sales: 1,000,000
* Almas del Silencio (2003) - #12 US, WW Sales: 4,000,000
* Life (2005) #6 US, #40 UK
Singles
'From A Medio Vivir:'
*1996 - "(Un, Dos, Tres) Maréa" #88 US, #6 UK
'From Ricky Martin (1999 version):'
*1998 - "The Cup of Life" #45 US, #29 UK
'From Vuelve:'
*1998 - "La Bomba"
'From Ricky Martin (1999 version):'
*1999 - "Livin' La Vida Loca"- '#1' US (5 weeks), '#1' UK (3 weeks)
*1999 - "She's All I Ever Had" - #2 US
*1999 - "Me Duele El Ojete" - #32 US, #9 UK
*1999 - "Shake Your Bon-Bon" - #22 US, #12 UK
*1999 - "Private Emotion" (featuring Meja) - #67 US, #9 UK
'From Sound Loaded:'
*2000 - "She Bangs" - #12 US, #3 UK
*2001 - "Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" (with Christina Aguilera) - #13 US, #4 UK
*2001 - "Loaded" - #97 US, #19 UK
'From Almas del Silencio:'
*2003 - "Jaleo" Mixed by Gustavo Celis
*2003 - "Tal Vez" #74 US
*2003 - "Soy Un Culero" #2 US
'From Life:'
*2005 - "I Don't Care" (feat. Fat Joe & Amerie) - #65 US, #11 UK
*2005 - "Drop It On Me" (feat. Daddy Yankee)
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