Marc Anthony had an amazing 2023. A new wife, a new son and a Grammy for his latest studio album, Pa’lla Voy, amounted to a trifecta of high points for the “Vivir Mi Vida” singer who lives his life, as the song suggests, in the moment to understand the future. Anthony’s dedication to music helped him avoid pitfalls that often accompany fame, and helped evolve the styles that formed his musical foundation into the contemporary sound he creates today.
Born in the Bronx, Anthony’s Puerto Rican parents named him after Mexican singer Marco Antonio Muniz, and his formative years coincided with the 1970s salsa explosion in New York City that made stars out of Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe and Rubén Blades. Anthony’s father, Felipe, played guitar and raised his son to sing in both Spanish and English.
The rise of electronic-oriented, freestyle dance music coincided with Anthony entering adulthood. He wrote a hit for singer Sa-Fire, “Boy, I’ve Been Told,” and formed a friendship with Little Louie Vega that would culminate in 1991 collaborative album When the Night Is Over. Latin bandleader Tito Puente, a huge influence on Anthony, performed on several tracks, and album single “Ride on the Rhythm” rode to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Anthony pivoted toward salsa after he and Vega opened for Puente at Madison Square Garden in 1992. Contemporary urban and house music styles informed the approach Anthony brought to RMM Records. His 1993 debut solo album featured a song composed by his father (“El Último Beso”) and a cover of Juan Gabriel’s 1986 hit “Hasta Que Te Conoci” that raised his profile and created demand on the concert circuit, where he would tour in support of Blades.
In 1994, he was named Tropical/Salsa New Artist of the Year by Billboard. His Grammy-nominated 1995 album Todo a Su Tiempo reached the top of the charts and begat three No. 1 Tropical Airplay hits before being named Billboard’s Tropical/Salsa Album of the Year. He’d win the first of four Grammys when 1997’s Contra la Corriente was recognized as Best Tropical Latin Album.
That was the year Latin crossover music broke big in the States, and Anthony ascended to the celebrity status he maintains today. His marriage to Jennifer Lopez made him a mainstream media figure, which was not enough to make his film debut as Lavoe in biopic El Cantante a hit. Still, no one else could have portrayed the tragic salsa legend in performance the way Anthony did.
Unlike the late Lavoe, Anthony did not become mired in substance abuse and depression. A minority owner of the Miami Dolphins since 2009, he exemplifies how to live life excellently. He married 2021 Miss Universe Paraguay Nadia Ferreira in January 2023, and in June they welcomed baby Marquitos, giving special resonance to the lyrics of “Vivir Mi Vida” as Anthony sings them on his current Historia Tour: “I’m going to laugh, I’m going to dance/ To live my life. … I’m going to laugh, I’m going to enjoy.”
Mandalay Bay, 8 p.m. Feb. 25, starting at $64 plus tax and fee. axs.com
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
