| Marc
Anthony, a multi-talented artist,
(born Marco Antonio Muniz) has balanced
an acting career with a musical career.
In addition to appearing in films like
The Substitute, Big Night, and Hackers,
and in Broadway productions such as Paul
Simon's Capeman, Anthony rose to the top
level of Latino music. The
biggest-selling salsa artist of all
time, Anthony was included on a top ten
list of influential New Yorkers compiled
by New York Magazine.
Instructed in music theory and
composition by his father, Anthony grew
up listening to Latin musicians,
including Rubén Blades, Hector Lavoe,
and Willie Colón, and contemporary pop
recordings by Air Supply and José
Feliciano. At age 12, Anthony and his
sister were discovered by David Harris,
a producer of demos and commercials;
Anthony was hired to sing background on
several productions. His songwriting
skills became evident, and an early
composition, "Boy, I've Been Told,"
became a Top 40 hip-hop hit for school
friend Safire. Anthony subsequently sang
background vocals on Safire's debut
album. He also sang on albums by the
Latin Rascals and Menudo.
Teaming with producer and disc jockey
Little Louie Vega, Anthony recorded his
debut album, When the Night Is Over, in
1991. The Latin hip-hop-style album,
which featured guest appearances by Tito
Puente and Eddie Palmieri, included the
single "Ride on the Rhythm," which
reached the top slot on Billboard's
dance music charts. On November 22,
1991, Anthony was the opening act on a
show at Madison Square Garden that
celebrated Puente's 100th album release.
Anthony's second album, Otra Nota
(produced and arranged by Sergio
George), was a better representation of
Anthony's salsa roots and included the
original tune "Juego o Amor." Todo a Su
Tiempo, released in 1995, was a
continuation of Anthony's collaboration
with George. With his fourth album,
Contra la Corriente, Anthony began
working with producer/arranger Angel "Cucco"
Peña. In 1996, Anthony and Australian
vocalist Tina Arena recorded the theme
song for the film The Mark of Zorro. |
