Marc Anthony is a singer, songwriter, and actor of Puerto Rican descent who has made his mark through his Latin and salsa-inspired music.
His first release was a record called “Rebel,” which debuted in 1988 from Bluedog Records, based in the Bronx. Marc Anthony continued perform in the New York club scene and also wrote songs, often teaming with Little Louie Vega and Todd Terry.
In 1992, Vega and Anthony played New York City’s Madison Square Garden as an opening act for Tito Puente.
Soon after, Anthony changed his singing style from Freestyle and House to salsa and other Spanish music. Taking his inspiration from greats such as Puente, Ruben Blades, and Juan Gabriel, Marc Anthony released his first Spanish-language album in 1993. Titled Otra Nota, it included the salsa hit “Hasta que te conoci” (Until I Met You).
He has never looked back; his albums and singles have been best-selling, with the exception of his two English-language albums, 1999s Marc Anthony and 2002s Mended. In his effort to crossover, it appears that Anthony may have turned away some of his core audience.
In 1998, Anthony appeared with Ruben Blades in Paul Simon’s stage musical, The Capeman, which ran for 68 performances. Marc Anthony has also turned his prodigious talents to the big screen, appearing in movies such as 1996s Big Night and Man on Fire, released in 2004.