Ricky Martin (1999 album)

Ricky Martin is the first English album and fifth studio album by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on May 11, 1999, by Columbia Records. Following the release of four Spanish-language albums, and the huge success of his fourth studio album, Vuelve (1998), Martin announced the recording of his first English-language album. He worked with producers KC Porter, Robi Rosa, and Desmond Child to create the album. Musically, Ricky Martin consists of dance-pop tracks, power ballads, mid-tempo pop songs, and rock numbers. After the album's release, Martin embarked on the worldwide Livin' la Vida Loca Tour, which was the highest-grossing tour of 2000 by a Latin artist.

The album was supported by four singles. The lead single "Livin' la Vida Loca" topped the charts in more than 20 countries and is considered to be Martin's biggest hit and one of the best-selling singles of all time. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks, becoming Martin's first number one single on the chart. Follow-up singles "She's All I Ever Had", "Shake Your Bon-Bon", and "Private Emotion" became number one and top 10 hits around the world. Ricky Martin received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented its various genres and styles. Paste ranked the album as one of the "10 Best Solo Albums by Former Boy Band Members" in 2020. It was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.

The album was a commercial success. It debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 661,000 copies, becoming the largest sales week by any album in 1999 and breaking the record as the largest first-week sales for any pop or Latin artist in history. Additionally, it made Martin the first male Latin act in history to debut at number one on Billboard 200. Ricky Martin also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and Spain, among others. The album has received several certifications, including 7× platinum in the United States, and diamond in Canada. Only within three months, it became the best-selling album ever by a Latin artist. It is generally seen as the album that began the "Latin explosion" and paved the way for a large number of other Latin artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Santana, and Enrique Iglesias.

Background and recording

Diane Warren (pictured) wrote two songs for the album.<ref name="US CD"/>

In 1998, Ricky Martin released his fourth studio album, Vuelve.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album experienced both critical and commercial success, spending 26 weeks atop the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> "La Copa de la Vida" was released as the second single from the album, and became the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It topped the charts in more than 30 countries,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Martin performed it at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, which was greeted with a massive standing ovation and met with acclaim from music critics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On October 22, 1998, CNN confirmed that Martin had started working on his first English language album, following the huge success of Vuelve.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 6, 1999, almost two weeks after his Grammy performance, it was announced that the album had been set for release in May. While the album was still untitled at the time, American musician Diane Warren revealed that she contributed two songs to the album, which was produced by KC Porter, Robi Rosa, and Desmond Child.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> During an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Martin told the newspaper that this album has Asian influences:

On April 24, 1999, Billboard revealed the album's title as eponymous in an article, mentioning that it was initially set for retail on May 25, 1999. However, the huge interest in the disc encouraged Columbia Records to decide to rush the album to release two weeks ahead of schedule, on May 11. Tom Corson, the senior vice president of marketing at Columbia explained: "Quite simply, the market has demanded it. People have been wanting this record for a while, and it's now reached the point where we have to get it out there immediately." Tim Devin, the general manager of Tower Records in New York added about Martin: "He's always been one of our strongest Latin artists, but interest in him has picked up considerably since that performance."<ref name="Billboard Flick">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In an interview with MTV, Martin told the channel about the album's title: "I cannot wear a mask to go on stage. Those are my influences. This is Ricky Martin. That's why the album is called Ricky Martin. As simple is that. We want to keep it simple. Like Einstein said, 'Let's make it simple, but not simpler than what it is.' And this is me."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Music and lyrics

Template:Listen Ricky Martin is a primarily English language album composed of 14 songs, consisting dance-pop tracks, power ballads, mid-tempo pop songs, and "straight-ahead" rock numbers.<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="Billboard Bad Bunny"/> Ed Morales from Democrat and Chronicle stated that the album "runs the gamut from ska and rock' n' roll to Latin pop".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Livin' la Vida Loca" (Template:Translation) is a rock-etched up-tempo pop song that features Latin percussion rhythms and horn riffs mixed with surf rock-inspired guitar riffs.<ref name="Billboard Flick"/><ref name="Billboard 1999 songs">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It has salsa-rock fusion influences,<ref name="Rolling Stone 20">Template:Cite news</ref> and is about an irresistible, particularly sinister wild woman who lives on the edge, seducing others into her crazy world.<ref name="Billboard 1999 songs"/><ref name="chicago">Template:Cite news</ref> The album also contains a Spanish-language version of "Livin' la Vida Loca", which was recorded under the same title.<ref name="Apple Music"/>

In "Spanish Eyes", Martin refers to sultriness, tango, and dance over salsa descarga and up-tempo beats. The ballad "She's All I Ever Had" uses an Indian guitar and lyrically, is the tale of a man missing his woman, as he continues to live and breathe for her. It also has a Spanish version titled "Bella" (Template:Translation). Martin dedicated the track to his grandmother who died a year earlier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Billboard review"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Shake Your Bon-Bon" is a salsa party track and features a mix of pop, R&B, Middle Eastern riffs, and Latin horns, as well as a fusion of Latin percussion with retro organ.<ref name="Billboard review"/><ref name="SouthtownStar"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A Spanglish guitar-based down-tempo duet along with Madonna, "Be Careful (Cuidado con mi corazón)" mixes acoustic and electronic elements.<ref name="Billboard review">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SouthtownStar">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="San Francisco Examiner">Template:Cite news</ref>

"I Am Made of You" is a "metal-type" ballad and uses electric guitar and drums that create a theme of "nostalgia and rock", while "Love You for a Day" is a "high-energy" Latin funk track featuring Latin elements, such as lengthy descargas, piano tumbaos, Latin percussion, and horns.<ref name="Billboard review"/><ref name="San Francisco Examiner"/> The ballad "Private Emotion", which features a guest appearance by Swedish singer Meja is a cover version of a song under the same title by the Hooters for their fifth studio album Out of Body (1993).<ref name="Billboard review"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "You Stay With Me" is a slow ballad with "heart-wrenching" lyrics, and "I Count the Minutes" is a homage to the 1980s.<ref name="Billboard review"/> Ricky Martin also features the Spanglish radio edit versions of "La Copa de la Vida" and "María",<ref name="Apple Music">Template:Cite web</ref> which were released as singles for Martin's previous albums. This version of "María" is remixed by Puerto Rican DJ Pablo Flores, who upped the tempo and the sex appeal of the song, turning the slow-burn flamenco laced track into an up-tempo samba tune in a house bassline.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="waves">Template:Cite magazine</ref> "La Copa de la Vida" is a samba-rooted Latin pop song,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="uDiscoverMusic">Template:Cite news</ref> and features elements of batucada, salsa, dance, mambo, and Europop.<ref name="waves"/><ref name="Larry Review">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Pitchfork">Template:Cite news</ref> Throughout the song, Martin carries a "soccer-heavy" message with fully positive lyrics.<ref name="uDiscoverMusic"/><ref name="Fader">Template:Cite news</ref>

Singles

Columbia Records released "Livin' la Vida Loca" to radio stations on March 23, 1999, as the lead single from the album.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The song topped the charts in more than 20 countries and is considered to be Martin's biggest hit,<ref name="Billboard Lyrics">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and one of the best-selling singles of all time.<ref name="Rolling Stone 20"/><ref name="Entertainment Tonight 20">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Paste">Template:Cite news</ref> In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks, becoming Martin's first number one single on the chart.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Additionally, it broke several records on Billboard charts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Nielsen Business Media">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It also spent eight consecutive weeks atop the Canada Top Singles chart and topped the country's year-end chart.<ref>Citations regarding the weekly chart performance for "Livin' la Vida Loca" in Canada:

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• Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number one and stayed there for three weeks, making Martin the first Puerto Rican artist in history to hit number one.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The track was ranked as the best '90s pop song by Elle, and was listed among the Best Latin Songs of All Time by Billboard.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It was nominated for four categories at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.<ref name="Grammy"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Its Spanish version reached the summit of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart in the United States,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Hot Latin Tracks">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and was nominated for Record of the Year at the 2000 Latin Grammy Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

"She's All I Ever Had" was released as the second single from the album on June 15, 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It peaked at numbers two and three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Canada Top Singles charts, respectively.<ref name="Hot 100">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Spanish version, "Bella" topped the charts in Costa Rica,<ref name="Bella chart CR">Template:Cite news</ref> El Salvador,<ref name="Bella chart SV">Template:Cite news</ref> Guatemala,<ref name="Bella chart GT">Template:Cite news</ref> Mexico,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Panama,<ref name="Bella chart SV"/> as well as BillboardTemplate:'s Hot Latin Tracks chart.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It also peaked at number two in Honduras,<ref name="Bella chart CR"/> Nicaragua,<ref name="Bella chart SV"/> and Puerto Rico.<ref name="Bella chart GT"/> The third single from Ricky Martin, "Shake Your Bon-Bon" was released on October 12, 1999;<ref name="Shake chart ES"/> it reached the top 10 in Canada,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Finland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and New Zealand,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as well as the top 15 in Spain,<ref name="Shake chart ES">Template:Cite news</ref> Scotland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref name="UK chart history">Template:Cite news</ref> In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Hot 100.<ref name="Hot 100"/> The album's final single, "Private Emotion", was launched on February 8, 2000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It reached number one in the Czech Republic,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was a top 10 hit in Finland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norway,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Scotland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sweden,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Switzerland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref name="UK chart history"/> Music videos were filmed for both English and Spanish versions of "Livin' la Vida Loca", "She's All I Ever Had", "Bella", "Shake Your Bon-Bon", and "Private Emotion".<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

Marketing

Release

Ricky Martin was released worldwide by Columbia Records on May 11, 1999.<ref name="Billboard Flick"/><ref name="Billboard vote">Template:Cite news</ref> The European edition of Ricky Martin includes the Spanish version of "Spanish Eyes", titled "La Diosa Del Carnaval" (Template:Translation), as well as a new track "I'm On My Way", while the Spanglish radio edit versions of "La Copa de la Vida" and "María" are not featured.<ref name="Europe CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> This track list has been also used for the African,<ref name="African CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> Asian,<ref name="Malaysia CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref name="Japan CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> and Latin American editions.<ref name="Argentina CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref name="Colombia CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref name="Mexico CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> The Chinese edition contains both "La Copa de la Vida" and "María" in addition to the standard Asian track list.<ref name="Chine CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> The Spanish release uses the same track list as the European, but "Por Arriba, Por Abajo" (Template:Translation) from Martin's previous album, Vuelve, has been added as a hidden track as well.<ref name="Spain CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> According to The Wall Street Journal, Martin succeeded Leonardo DiCaprio as "the reigning king of heartthrobs" to become the most popular male celebrity on the American shopping website eBay in 1999, following the album's release. Many Martin products and items were on sale at the time, such as his posters, autographs, Pepsi cans, wall clocks, plastic dolls, autographed Ricky Martin CDs, and "Livin' la Vida Loca" sheet musics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Live performances

Martin performing "Spanish Eyes" on the worldwide Livin' la Vida Loca Tour.

To further promote Ricky Martin, he embarked on the worldwide Livin' la Vida Loca Tour.<ref name="Billboard Tour North"/> The tour began on October 21, 1999, at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and concluded on October 25, 2000, at the Colonial Stadium in Melbourne,<ref name="Colonial Stadium">Template:Cite news</ref> with concerts throughout North America,<ref name="Billboard Tour North"/> Europe,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Oceania,<ref name="Colonial Stadium"/> and Asia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the United States, the Livin' la Vida Loca Tour was the highest-grossing tour of 2000 by a Latin artist, earning over $36.3 million with 44 dates and drawing 617,488 fans.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> According to Billboard Boxscore, the tour grossed $51.3 million in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 60 shows and drawing an audience of 875,151. International dates were not reported to Boxscore and would push the tour's grosses higher.<ref name="Billboard Tour North">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In addition to his tour, Martin performed singles from Ricky Martin on many television programs and award shows. He performed "Livin' la Vida Loca" at the 1999 World Music Awards,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the 1999 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Saturday Night Live,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Rosie O'Donnell Show,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Bingolotto TV Show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, he performed "She's All I Ever Had" and "Livin' la Vida Loca", accompanied by a group of impressive women dressed in glitter.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> To promote the album's material in the United Kingdom, Martin delivered performances of "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "Shake Your Bon-Bon" on the BBC's Top of the Pops on August 6, 1999, and November 19, 1999, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Critical reception

Template:Music ratings Ricky Martin has been met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four out of five stars and said that despite moments of filler and outdated production, its songs are balanced well between various genres and styles on "a big, bold album with something to please everyone, from his longtime Latin fans to housewives with a weakness for dramatic ballads". He noted that all tracks have been constructed carefully on their own, and complimented Martin's "fine voice and undeniable charisma" that bring all tracks "alive", calling him "a true star".<ref name="AllMusic"/> Rolling StoneTemplate:'s James Hunter felt it lacks the excitement of Martin's 1998 album Vuelve because of its remixes and Warren-penned songs. However, he said that Martin's take on Latin pop is made interesting enough by highlights such as "Livin' la Vida Loca", "Shake Your Bon-Bon", and the "perfectly constructed ballad" sung with Madonna.<ref name="Rolling Stone Review"/>

The News Journal critic Jena Montgomery complimented Ricky Martin for alternating between "infectious tunes" and "somber, seductive ballads", stating that his "upbeat pop tunes will undoubtedly catch your ear and stay in your head" and the ballads "are strikingly well-written and performed". She added that Martin "sings with such passion and tenderness" that "keeps you hanging on, begging for more".<ref name="News Journal"/> Steve Dollar from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described the album as "shockingly irresistible",<ref name="Atlanta Journal-Constitution"/> and Jim Farber from Daily News thought it is "certainly an improvement over Martin's four Spanish records".<ref name="Daily News">Template:Cite news</ref> The Indianapolis Star reviewer Diana Penner gave it three out of four stars, describing Martin's pop tunes as "melodic and eminently listenable". She also highlighted "Livin' la Vida Loca", confessing that she does not know any "more happy-snappy catchy melody" than that.<ref name="The Indianapolis Star">Template:Cite news</ref> Another author of The Indianapolis Star praised Martin for mixing styles well from pop to funk, and noted the album tracks' Latin rhythms that make "Martin automatically separate himself from the rest of "popular male artists".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Times staff assured Martin would be a "household name" before the end of the summer, and described the project as "cheesy, breezy, mass-appeal pop". The staff also called the duet with Madonna "superb" and celebrated Martin's "sincerely" singing with Meja.<ref name="The Times"/> In a retrospective review for Billboard, Leila Cobo described Ricky Martin as "an album that went from percussion-filled dance tracks" to "smooth, unabashedly romantic ballads". She ranked "Livin' la Vida Loca" as the best track on the album and praised most of the other tracks of the record, naming "Private Emotion" the "under-appreciated jewel" of the album and calling it a "gorgeous ballad". She noted "immediately hummable melodies, traces of nostalgia and rock" in "I Am Made of You", labeling the track "a beauty".<ref name="Billboard review"/> In another article, she described Ricky Martin as dazzling.<ref name="Billboard Bad Bunny"/> Coinciding with the album's 20th anniversary, Celia San Miguel of Tidal Magazine gave it a positive review, highlighting "Livin' la Vida Loca" for its "clever fusion of ska, rock, mambo, swing and pop sounds", and "She's All I Ever Had" for Martin's "charismatic heartthrob and his passionate and emotive vocals". She stated that "in 1999, Martin's star power became undeniable".<ref name="Tidal Magazine">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2020, Daniella Boik from Paste acknowledged the album as Martin's most influential album since starting his solo career.<ref name="Paste"/>

Accolades

In 2019, Stacker ranked Ricky Martin as the 18th best album by an LGBTQ musician.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2020, Paste ranked it at number eight on the list of "Best Solo Albums by Former Boy Band Members".<ref name="Paste"/> The album has received a number of awards and nominations. It was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards,<ref name="Grammy">Template:Cite news</ref> but lost to Brand New Day by Sting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards and nominations for Ricky Martin

Organization	Year	Award	Result	Template:Abbr
Pop Corn Music Awards	1999	Best Foreign Album	Template:Won	<ref>Georgantas, Themis, Mousika Vravia Pop Corn '98 Magazine, Musicoekdotiki Co., Athens, 1999, pp.16–17</ref>
Premios Globo		Best Pop/Ballad Album	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
ACE Awards	2000	Male Album of the Year	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards		Favorite CD	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
		Favorite Male Artist, Pop	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gardel Awards		Best Male Album	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Grammy Awards		Best Pop Album	Template:Nom	<ref name="Grammy"/>
Japan Gold Disc Award		Pop Album of the Year, International	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Juno Awards		Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Premio Lo Nuestro		Pop Album of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Commercial performance

Ricky Martin debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 661,000 copies, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan for the chart dated May 29, 1999. It became the largest sales week by any album in 1999, surpassing I Am... by Nas, which had sold 471,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="Geoff Mayfield">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It also broke the record as the largest first-week sales for any pop or Latin artist in history,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as well as any Columbia Records artist during the SoundScan era.<ref name="Geoff Mayfield"/> With this album, Martin became the first male Latin act in history to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.<ref name="Billboard Bad Bunny">Template:Cite news</ref> Additionally, he became the first artist to simultaneously top the Billboard 200, Hot Latin Tracks, Hot Dance Music/Club Play, Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales, Top 40 Tracks, and the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="Nielsen Business Media"/> The following week, the album sold 471,000 copies, while Millennium by Backstreet Boys debuted at number one on Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 1.13 million copies, breaking Ricky MartinTemplate:'s record as the largest sales week by an album in 1999.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Ricky Martin sold a total of six million copies in the United States in 1999 and was the third best-selling album of the year in the country, only behind Millennium, and ...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In January 2000, Ricky Martin was certified 7× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over seven million copies in the US and breaking the record as the best-selling album by a Latin artist in the country.<ref name="RIAA"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> As of January 2011, the album has sold over 6,958,000 copies in the country, according to Nielsen SoundScan, with an additional 987,000 sold at BMG Music Clubs, making it Martin's best-selling album in the US.<ref name="Nielsen Sales">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="BMG">Template:Cite web</ref> Nielsen SoundScan does not count copies sold through clubs like the BMG Music Service, which were significantly popular in the 1990s.<ref name="Ask Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The album debuted at number one in Australia, on the chart issue dated May 23, 1999.<ref name="aus"/> It was later certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of over 210,000 copies in the country.<ref name="Australia Certification"/> In Canada, it peaked at number one on both the RPMTemplate:'s Top 100 CDs chart and the BillboardTemplate:'s Canadian Albums Chart, and was certified diamond by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), denoting shipments of over one million units in the region.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="can"/><ref name="cert canada"/> The album also reached number one in Spain,<ref name="spain"/> where it was certified triple platinum by the Productores de Música de España (Promusicae), denoting shipments of over 300,000 copies.<ref name="spain ce"/> Additionally, Ricky Martin peaked at number one in Europe,<ref name="EU chart"/> Finland,<ref name="fin"/> New Zealand,<ref name="nz"/> and Norway,<ref name="nor"/> as well as the top five in many countries, such as Germany,<ref name="de"/> Japan,<ref name="JP chart"/> and the United Kingdom.<ref name="uk"/> In Japan, it was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), denoting shipments of over one million units.<ref name="overalllist"/> Only within three months, Ricky Martin became the best-selling album ever by a Latin artist.<ref name="Louis">Template:Cite news</ref> According to different sources, the album has sold over 15 million copies or even 17 million copies worldwide.<ref name="salesRM15mww">Citations regarding the worldwide sales of Ricky Martin as 15 million copies:

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Legacy and influence

Template:Quote box Martin is regarded by the media as the "Original Latin Crossover King".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Angie Romero from Billboard wrote: "If you look up 'crossover' in the dictionary, there should be a photo of Ricky shaking his bon bon and/or 'Livin' la Vida Loca'."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following his performance of "The Cup of Life" at the Grammys, and the success of "Livin' la Vida Loca" and Ricky Martin (1999), he opened the gates for many Latin artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Santana, and Enrique Iglesias who released their crossover albums and followed him onto the top of the charts.<ref name="Billboard review"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Citations from Billboard regarding Martin's impact:

• Template:Cite magazine
• Template:Cite news</ref> Jim Farber from Daily News noted that Ricky Martin "provides a textbook example of how to mix Latin beats with pop tunes and rock intonations".<ref name="Daily News"/> Lucas Villa from Spin wrote about Martin's global success in 1999: "When the world went loca for Ricky, he led the way for other Latin music superstars like Spain's Enrique Iglesias, Colombia's Shakira and Nuyoricans like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to make their marks beyond the Spanish-speaking crowds."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> St. Louis Post-Dispatch critic Kevin C. Johnson described Martin as Latin music's "pretty-faced poster boy" who is "taking the music to places Jon Secada, Selena and Santana never could". He also mentioned that even "Gloria Estefan at her peak, failed to muster up the kind of hype and hoopla surrounding Martin".<ref name="Louis"/>

Template:Multiple image Celia San Miguel of Tidal Magazine stated that Martin "highlighted the public's thirst for a different kind of pop" in 1999, noting the album's "fusion-heavy" and "hip-shaking rhythms associated with Latin music". She mentioned that the album "spawned 1999's Latin music boom", emphasizing the fact that Martin created the "spark" of the "Latin Pop Explosion", which was followed by 1999 albums, On the 6 by Lopez, Enrique by Iglesias, and Anthony's eponymous album. She continued crediting "Martin and the paths he created" responsible for the Latin music and Spanish and Spanglish lyrics being "a commonplace phenomenon on English-language radio" in 2019.<ref name="Tidal Magazine"/> In her review for Grammy.com, Ana Monroy Yglesias said Martin led a "major music moment in 1999" with Ricky Martin, and along with him, "the first major boom of Spanish-language artists", such as Shakira and Lopez, came into the "U.S. pop landscape".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Geoff Mayfield from Billboard stated: "Martin's triumph isn't just a big win for Latin music or the Sony camp but a big day for the entire music industry."<ref name="Geoff Mayfield"/>

According to Pitchfork, the music industry took in revenues of $23.7 billion in 1999, making it the peak year of the business in history. It was also a significant growth in compare with 1998. The website highlighted ...Baby One More Time, Ricky Martin, and Millennium as examples of "blockbuster albums" which produced the result.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also, Rolling StoneTemplate:'s Rob Sheffield described 1999 as "the year music exploded", mentioning Spears, Aguilera, Martin, NSYNC, and the Backstreet Boys as "a new breed of stars" who got born.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Additionally, Jason Lipshutz from Billboard labeled 1999 "[the] Best Musical Year of the '90s".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personnel

Credits for Ricky Martin adapted from AllMusic and the album liner notes.<ref name="US CD">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref name="allmusiccredits">Template:Cite web</ref>

Recording and mixing locations

• The Gentlemen's Club, Miami Beach, Florida
• Sound Chamber, Modesto, California
• Crescent Moon Studios, Coral Terrace, Florida
• Guerilla Beach Studios, Toledo, Ohio
• Enterprise Studios, Burbank, California
• Right Track Recording, Manhattan
• Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles
• Clinton Recording Studio, New York City
• Wallyworld, Pittsburgh
• The Hit Factory, New York City
• Barking Doctor Recording, Mount Kisco, New York
• Heaven Studios, Miami
• Tone King Studios, Cardinal, Ontario

Musicians and technical

• Ricky MartinTemplate:Spaced en dash performer, primary artist, vocals, background vocals
• KC PorterTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, producer
• Robi RosaTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, guest artist, acoustic guitar, producer, background vocals
• Desmond ChildTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, producer
• Ethel AbelsonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Murray AdlerTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Walter AfanasieffTemplate:Spaced en dash drum programming, producer
• Martin AgeeTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Donna AllenTemplate:Spaced en dash background vocals
• Lamar AlsopTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Richard AltenbachTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Rusty AndersonTemplate:Spaced en dash guitar
• Tommy AnthonyTemplate:Spaced en dash acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Jonathan AntinTemplate:Spaced en dash hair stylist
• Iris AponteTemplate:Spaced en dash production coordination
• Chris ApostleTemplate:Spaced en dash project coordinator
• Kenny AronoffTemplate:Spaced en dash drums, guest artist
• Vaje AyrikianTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Julien BarberTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Randall BarlowTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, engineer, guitar, programming, string arrangements, trumpet
• Eric BazilianTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, 12 string acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Jennifer BellusciTemplate:Spaced en dash performer
• Brian BenningTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Robert BergTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Ian BlakeTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, producer
• Gustavo BonnetTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Alfred BrownTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Ruth BrueggerTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Denyse BuffumTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Olbin BurgosTemplate:Spaced en dash percussion, shaker
• Kenneth Burward-HoyTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Eve ButlerTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Jorge CalandrelliTemplate:Spaced en dash conductor, string arrangements
• David CampbellTemplate:Spaced en dash conductor, orchestra contractor
• Darius CampoTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Scott CantoTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Randy CantorTemplate:Spaced en dash arranger, keyboards, programming
• Sue Ann CarwellTemplate:Spaced en dash background vocals
• Jorge CasasTemplate:Spaced en dash performer
• Susan ChatmanTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Robert ChausowTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Rob ChiarelliTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Joe ChiccarelliTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Brian ColemanTemplate:Spaced en dash production coordination
• Tony ConcepcionTemplate:Spaced en dash flugelhorn, trumpet
• Roberta CooperTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Larry CorbettTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Paulinho Da CostaTemplate:Spaced en dash percussion
• Brian DembowTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Joel DerouinTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• John DexterTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Thomas DienerTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Assa DroriTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Bruce DukovTemplate:Spaced en dash concert master, violin
• Charles DyeTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer, mixing
• Max EllenTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Mark EndertTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Luis EnriqueTemplate:Spaced en dash guest artist, percussion
• Jerry EpsteinTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Stephen ErdodyTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Luis Gómez EscolarTemplate:Spaced en dash composer
• Emilio Estefan Jr.Template:Spaced en dash executive producer
• David EwartTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Mary Helen EwingTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Benny FacconeTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Henry FerberTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Michael FerrilTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Stefanie FifeTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Alfred FigueroaTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Pablo FloresTemplate:Spaced en dash producer
• Dave FrazierTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Virginia FrazierTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Tod FrenchTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Erik FriedlanderTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Matthew FunesTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Armen GarabedianTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Berj GarabedianTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Hector GarridoTemplate:Spaced en dash conductor, horn arrangements, string arrangements
• Javier GarzaTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• David GleesonTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Harris GoldmanTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Jules GondarTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Diva Goodfriend-KovenTemplate:Spaced en dash alto flute
• Erwin GorostizaTemplate:Spaced en dash art direction, design
• Endre GranatTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Lynn GrantsTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Maurice GrantsTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Julie GreenTemplate:Spaced en dash viloncello
• Jeff GregoryTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Henry GronnierTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Alan GrunfeldTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Mick GuzauskiTemplate:Spaced en dash mixing
• GyanTemplate:Spaced en dash guest artist
• Juliet HaffnerTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Don HahnTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Clayton HaslopTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• John HayhurstTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Paquito HechavarriaTemplate:Spaced en dash piano
• David HeissTemplate:Spaced en dash viloncello
• Leo HerreraTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Al HershbergerTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Gerry HileraTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Tiffany Yi HuTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Rob HymanTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, organ
• Joanna IfrahTemplate:Spaced en dash A&R
• Ted JensenTemplate:Spaced en dash mastering
• Skyler JettTemplate:Spaced en dash performer, background vocals
• Lisa JohnsonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Pat JohnsonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Pat JohnsonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Karen KarlsrudTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Dennis KarmazynTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Suzie KatayamaTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Khris KellowTemplate:Spaced en dash programming
• Aimee KrestonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• John KrickerTemplate:Spaced en dash trombone
• Sebastián KrysTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Janet LakatosTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Michael LandauTemplate:Spaced en dash electric guitar
• Regis LandiorioTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Ann LeathersTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Damian leGassickTemplate:Spaced en dash keyboards, programming
• Brian LeonardTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Lee LevinTemplate:Spaced en dash drums
• Elizabeth LimTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Richard LockerTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Daniel LópezTemplate:Spaced en dash percussion
• Manny LópezTemplate:Spaced en dash guitar
• Craig LozowickTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer, engineer
• MadonnaTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, guest artist, performer, primary artist, producer
• Nathan MalkiTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer, engineer
• Tony MardiniTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Mark MarkmanTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Peter McCabeTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Patrick McCarthyTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer, mixing
• Hugh McDonaldTemplate:Spaced en dash bass
• Ángelo MedinaTemplate:Spaced en dash executive producer
• MejaTemplate:Spaced en dash duet, guest artist, primary artist
• Lester MendezTemplate:Spaced en dash programming
• Steve MenezesTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Vicky MiscolczyTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Dennis MolchanTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Conesha MonetTemplate:Spaced en dash background vocals
• Jorge MoragaTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Horia MoroaicaTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Herman "Teddy" MuletTemplate:Spaced en dash horn
• Jennifer MundayTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Dan NeufeldTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• George NoriegaTemplate:Spaced en dash bass, bazouki, composer, nylon string guitar, organ, producer, sitar
• Laura OattsTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• William OrbitTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, Guest Artist, guitar, keyboards, producer
• Germán OrtizTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Rik PekkonenTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Archie PenaTemplate:Spaced en dash percussion
• Bob PetersonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Freddy Piñero Jr.Template:Spaced en dash engineer
• Barbara PorterTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Jim PortoTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Anthony PoskTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Sue PrayTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Rachel PurkinTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Rita QuinteroTemplate:Spaced en dash background vocals
• Matthew RaimondiTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Dave ReitzasTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Steve RichardsTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Claytoven RichardsonTemplate:Spaced en dash background vocals
• Karen RitscherTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Gil RomeroTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Anatoly RosinskyTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Elliot RosoffTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Danita RuizTemplate:Spaced en dash project coordinator
• Eddie SalkinTemplate:Spaced en dash alto flute
• Bob SanovTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Sheldon SanovTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Elliot ScheinerTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Laura SeatonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Jon SecadaTemplate:Spaced en dash composer, guest artist, background vocals
• Dan SheaTemplate:Spaced en dash keyboards, programming
• Mark Orrin ShumanTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• David SiegelTemplate:Spaced en dash clarinet
• Daniel SmithTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Rafael SolanoTemplate:Spaced en dash percussion
• Eve SprecherTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Rudy SteinTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• David StenskeTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Dale StuckenbruckTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Ricardo SuarezTemplate:Spaced en dash bass
• Marti SweetTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Gerald TarackTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Dana TeboeTemplate:Spaced en dash trombone
• Richard TreatTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Mari TsumuraTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Diego UchitelTemplate:Spaced en dash photography
• Robert ValdezTemplate:Spaced en dash engineer
• Jose Luis VegaTemplate:Spaced en dash image construction
• John WalzTemplate:Spaced en dash cello
• Dan WarnerTemplate:Spaced en dash acoustic guitar
• Diane WarrenTemplate:Spaced en dash composer
• Miwako WatanabeTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Belinda Whitney-BarrattTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Chris WigginsTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Ed WilliamsTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer
• Elizabeth WilsonTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• John WittenbergTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Ming YehTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Ken YerkeTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Juan Vincente ZambranoTemplate:Spaced en dash arranger, keyboards
• Mihail ZinovyevTemplate:Spaced en dash viola
• Shari ZippertTemplate:Spaced en dash violin
• Wassim ZreikTemplate:Spaced en dash assistant engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Weekly chart performance for Ricky Martin

Chart (1999–2000)	Peak position
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5
European Albums (Top 100)<ref name="EU chart">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5
Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="JP chart">Template:Cite web</ref>	5
Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	10
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref name="spain">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Taiwanese Albums (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	2

Year-end charts

1999 year-end chart performance for Ricky Martin

Chart (1999)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	6
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	17
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	73
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	71
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	4
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	44
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	56
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	25
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	39
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	2
Norwegian End of School Period Albums (VG-lista)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref name="spain"/>	13
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	14
UK Albums (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	35
US Billboard 200<ref name="usend">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5

2000 year-end chart performance for Ricky Martin

Chart (2000)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	72
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	68
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	66
Finnish Foreign Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	41
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	84
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	46
South Korean International Albums (MIAK)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	4
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	42

Decade-end charts

1990s decade-end chart performance for Ricky Martin

Chart (1990-1999)	Position
US Billboard 200<ref name="usend"/>	48

Release history

Release dates and formats for Ricky Martin

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Template:Abbr
Taiwan	May 7, 1999	CD	Columbia Records	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Canada	May 11, 1999			<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hong Kong				<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Japan	June 19, 1999		Epic Records	<ref name="Japan CD"/>

See also

• 1990s in music
• 1999 in British music charts
• 1999 in music
• Latin music in Canada
• List of best-selling albums in Japan
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 1999
• List of certified albums in Canada
• List of diamond-certified albums in Canada
• List of European number-one hits of 1999
• List of number-one albums from the 1990s (New Zealand)
• List of number-one albums in Australia during the 1990s
• List of number-one albums of 1999 (Canada)
• List of number-one albums of 1999 (Spain)
• List of top 25 albums for 1999 in Australia
• List of top 25 albums for 2000 in Australia