Chayanne was born on June 29th, 1968 in Rio Piedras. His birth name was Elmer Figueroa. His mother began calling him Chayanne at an early age, and it has stuck with him throughout his career. Although he was the middle child of five, he was never looked over, especially when it came to his musical talents.
His love for music was apparent early. By the time he was eight, Chayanne began playing the tambourine for his church, and he eventually lent his voice to the choir. At the age of ten, he attended a youth music audition and was picked to be a member of the Latin pop group Los Chicos. It wasn't long before the group began a grueling schedule of constant touring, and Chayanne began traveling with a tutor to keep up with his studies.
Los Chicos broke up in 1983, but it was no surprise Chayanne decided he wanted to continue working on a career in entertainment. He began making appearances in soap operas and commercials, broadening his abilities within the industry. In 1987, he signed a contract with Sony International Music and began working on his self-titled debut album. The first album did well in South America, but it was his second album released in 1989 by Sony that earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Performance.
His face became familiar to U.S. audiences in 1989 when he appeared in a commercial for Pepsi. He has been featured in magazines across the globe and his total album sales has topped out at over five million units. His talents have spanned across all media, and he has been featured in the Mexican soap opera 'Pobre Juventad' and in the Puerto Rican television series 'Tormento' and 'Sombras del Pasado'. It wasn't until his 1999 appearance in the film, 'Dance With Me', opposite Vanessa Williams, that U.S. audiences really got a glimpse of this talented man.
Chayanne has recorded 14 albums as a solo artist and has appeared on a number of compilations. His most recent release, 'Sincero', has secured his spot as a Latin-pop icon. He has been an award winning, top-selling music star since his early teens, and his concerts are a hit across the globe. He is pure energy on the stage, and his signature dance steps have become a main attraction at live shows, making him stand out from other Latin pop stars. He has gathered more than 70 gold and platinum records throughout his career and has climbed the billboard charts with hit singles like 'Dejaria Todo', 'Salome' and 'Palo Bonito'.
It's obvious that Chayanne has made his mark on Latin-pop culture, and he has hope for continuing his success in the future. His sold out tours and hit records have proven he has a place in live entertainment. His true love of music is a reminder to take pleasure in sound and dance while welcoming break from the norm. With a constant barrage of new hits and a set of adrenaline-fueled hips, fans across the globe are anxious to get their hands on tickets for his next show in their town.
