Encompassing a variety of musical styles - from slow, romantic ballads to up-tempo dance tracks - Latin pop reflects the diversity of the Latino community in the United States and Latin America. Because the genre places such a strong emphasis on the singer, lyrics and delivery are very important. Romance, social concerns, and Latino pride are common themes, but ultimately the artist must be a convincing live performer. In the '60s and '70s, Latin pop singers performed somewhat conservatively, but by the '80s the public wanted a dance show. In recent years, tropical music (reggae and merengue) and rap have become more popular in urban centers, influencing the beats and the vocal style of Latino acts. Today, many bilingual Latin pop artists record in English, achieving crossover success with an exotic appeal that often inspires involuntary booty shaking.

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Ricky Martin
When Ricky Martin crossed over to English-language audiences in 1999, he seemed to come out of nowhere - but this former member of Menudo was a Latin pop star for most of the '90s. The charismatic Martin is a throwback to a time when musicians were also entertainers. He can sing up a storm, dance, and smile, all at the same time - a refreshing change of pace in an era when most modern pop and hip-hop stars have little to offer but seriousness. Martin may not have the substance of Marc Anthony, but he is one of the hardest-working people in show business, seemingly able to work in any musical style - neo-salsa, romantic ballads, and jangle pop, to name a few.

Marc Anthony
If Ricky Martin is the Latin crossover star wearing tight leather and doing Pepsi ads, Marc Anthony is the one wearing black silk and smoking a cigarette. Anthony established himself in the '90s as a contemporary salsa superstar, and more recently his English crossover recordings have expanded his overall audience. Universally respected for his clear and emotional singing style, he's always brought integrity to his music, whether he's singing a shamelessly revealing romantic ballad or cutting loose with some hot salsa. He's a NuyoRican (Puerto Rican from New York City) whose English vocals display no accent. Now visible as a film actor as well, Anthony exudes a cool downtown New York persona, and his mix of contemporary dance ballads and salsa works easily in his hands.

Miguel Bose
He's Ricky Martin's favorite singer (and a heartthrob in his own right). Spanish recording star Miguel Bose is beloved throughout the Latin world for his honeyed voice and loving, midtempo pop. With an impressive string of albums behind him, Bose's latest work is undergoing some touch-ups: You'll even hear shuffling trip-hop beats under a few of his numbers.

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