Luis Enrique

Nicaraguan salsa singer Luis Enrique emerged among the earliest trailblazers of the romantic "salsa sensual" movement within Latin music. By softening an otherwise forceful and luminous genre with gentler, more emotionally charged phrasing, he prepared the path for later figures in salsa and Latin pop, among them Marc Anthony and Victor Manuelle. After moving to the United States in 1978 and settling in Los Angeles, Enrique drew on the vocal instruction and practical experience passed down by his father, channeling it into school productions and performances. An audition with a local salsa ensemble so impressed producers Alex Cobos and Frank Miret that they escorted the newcomer straight into the studio to record a demonstration tape. That recording secured a contract with Sony in 1987, resulting in the appearance of his first album, Amor de Media Noche. Although others had previously claimed the designation, Enrique’s intimate and affectionate manner earned him the widely recognized title of "Prince of Salsa." Across an extensive catalog he accumulated five Grammy nominations, five Lo Nuestro Awards, and multiple gold and platinum certifications. Following a decade-long association with Sony, he transferred to WEA Records in 2000, gaining the latitude both to release his own projects and to compose and administer material for fellow performers. The 2007 album Dentro y Fuera commemorated two decades of his professional activity. Mi Mundo Musical appeared the next year on Sony BMG.