Martika

Emerging onto the scene after Tiffany and Debbie Gibson had restored adolescent bubblegum to the pop charts, Martika carved out her own space. Born Marta Marrero on May 18, 1969, in Whittier, California, she was the daughter of Cuban parents who had fled their homeland during the revolution. Growing up in California, she pursued acting before entering music, appearing in the 1982 film version of Annie and performing on the series Kids Incorporated between 1984 and 1986. Her first single, “More Than You Know,” reached the American charts in 1988; the following year its successor, “Toy Soldiers,” held the top U.S. position for two weeks. Also in 1989 came her self-titled debut album. On the 1991 follow-up Martika’s Kitchen, Prince supplied songwriting assistance during a brief romantic involvement with the singer. She later rejoined television as a cast member of Wiseguy. In 1999 she recorded “The Happy Song.”