Marc Anthony is considered one of the hottest Latin recording artists and also more authentic than some of his peers. His father, who named him Marco Antonio Muniz, taught him music theory and composition, while he grew up listening to Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Air Supply, and Jose Feliciano. As a kid, he would sing with his father, a composer and musician who played bachata, and also Latin music for his relatives and friends. Producer David Harris arranged for Marc and his sister to be background singers for many productions. Soon enough, his writing skills were displayed when he wrote 'Boy, I've Been Told,' which hit the top 40s chart for hip-hop. The song was recorded on Sa-Fire's album and he also did vocals on their debut, as well as on Latin Rascals and Menudo.
In 1991, Anthony released his debut, When the Night Is Over, which featured Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Luis Ortiz. His next album, Otra Nota, produced hits such as 'Palabras de Alma', and 'El Ultimo Beso.' He was also the opening act at Madison Square Garden for the celebration of Puente's 100th album release. In 1995, after two years in the making, he released Todo a Su Tiempo in which he mostly collaborated with Sergio George. Then in 1996, he started to work with Angel 'Cucco' Pentilde, and Contra La Corriente was released. The same year, Anthony and Australian beauty Tina Arena recorded the theme song for 'The Mask Of Zorro.'
He took his time creating a foundation with his Latino fans, but then decided to make his first English debut in 1999, which went platinum after just six weeks. His hit single 'I Need To Know (Dimelo)' won a Grammy at the first Latin Grammy Awards. The same year he also won a Grammy for the Best Tropical Latin Performance.
Anthony also decided to pursue his other talent, acting, and he appeared on the big screen in the films 'Big Night,' 'Bringing On the Dead,' 'The Substitute,' 'Hackers,' 'In The Time of the Butterflies,' 'Man On Fire,' and the Broadway musical 'The Capeman.'
Marc has the highest record sales in Salsa history. He was also on the top ten list of influential New Yorkers written by New York Magazine. All in all he has been distinguished with twelve Latin gold and platinum awards by the RIAA. His greatest hits album, Desde El Principio: From the Beginning, released in 1998 held the number one slot on the Latin Billboard for seven weeks and was also the number one album of the year in 2000. In 2001, Libre went double platinum and held the number one slot on the charts for fourteen weeks in a row.
Marc Anthony, described by some as the 'quintessential urban Latino Renaissance man,' is still an avid performer: tickets to his events are still considered treasured items.
