Marco Antonio Muniz, 16 September 1969, New York City, New York, USA. One of the leading salsa stars of the late 90s, Anthony began his career as a session vocalist for pop and dance acts. His Puerto Rican parents boasted a strong Latin music heritage and named their son after a Mexican singer. Under his new name, Anthony worked as a songwriter and backing vocalist for pop acts including Menudo and the Latin Rascals. He subsequently collaborated with House producer Vega, Little Louie, who featured the singer on the Latin-flavoured club hit 'Ride On The Rhythm' and When The Night Is Over. In 1992, Vega and Anthony opened for Latin bandleader Puente, Tito at New York's Madison Square Garden. Seeking new inspiration from the music of Puente, Ruben Blades and Gabriel, Juan, Anthony performed at the Latin music convention Radio y Musica, his first step on the road to salsa stardom. He released his Spanish-language debut, Otra Nota, in 1993, and achieved his first taste of mainstream success performing the hit duet 'Vivir Lo Nuestro' with singer La India. Subsequent tours throughout the Americas, including an opening slot for Blades, established Anthony as one of the hottest new stars in salsa. His excellent 1995 collection, Todo A Su Tiempo, was nominated for a Grammy. The more traditional-sounding follow-up, Contra La Corriente, was promoted by a sell-out solo concert at Madison Square Garden. Anthony also appeared alongside Blades in Simon, Paul 's 1998 flop stage musical, The Capeman, which closed after only 68 regular performances. Rebounding from that failure, Anthony began working on his English language debut with a crew of leading producers, including Rodney Jerkins and Walter Afanasieff. Released in September 1999, and promoted by the US Top 5 hit single 'I Need To Know', the self-titled collection was a clear attempt to emulate the crossover success of Lopez, Jennifer and Martin, Ricky, at the risk of angering his traditional salsa fans. Anthony had already appeared with Lopez on the duet 'No Me Ames', taken from her On The 6 collection. During a busy year, Anthony appeared alongside Nicolas Cage in Martin Scorsese's Bringing Out The Dead.
Claim to Fame: Number one dance hit "Ride on the Rhythm" (1991)
Quote:
"What you see is what you get. My God, I don't have the time nor the energy to live up to some persona...I understand what it is to be vulnerable, and I understand what it is to be strong. So anybody who bashes 'sentimental' is missing it. I've seen the toughest guys in the world cry. That macho thing is an old folktale. I'm not afraid of it at all."--The New York Times Magazine, August 29, 1999
Significant Other(s):
Fiancée: Dayanara Torres, model; born 1975; former Miss Universe; engaged October 17, 1999 ; Kim Vilanueva; born 1981 ; Noemie, model ; Jennifer Lopez, actress, singer; recorded a duet ; Mira Sorvino, actress ; Debbie Rosado, policewoman; separated 1995
Family:
Father: Felipe Muniz, musician, hospital worker; Puerto Rican; jibaro guitarist Mother: Guillermina Muniz (aka Genny Muniz); Puerto Rican Half-brother: Bigram Zayas, manager; born 1957; manages Anthony's career Siblings: has six others, all older; Daughter: Arianna Muniz; born 1994; mother, Debbie Rosado; Anthony has joint custody
Awards:
1994: Billboard: Best New Artist of the Year 1994: Diplo Award (Puerto Rico) 1995: Billboard: Song of the Year, "Te Conozco Bien" 1999: Grammy: Best Tropical Latin Performance, "Contra La Corriente"
Acting Credits:
Bringing out the dead (1999) The Capeman (Broadway Musical / 1998) Big Night (1996) The Substitute (1996) Hackers (1995) Natural Causes (1994) Natural Causes (1993)
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