Editing Ricky Martin (section)

== Artistry ==
=== Influences ===
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As a child, Martin used to sing songs by Menudo and rock bands such as [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Journey (band)|Journey]], and [[REO Speedwagon]], which were what his "older siblings were listening to at the time". While Martin and his brothers spent their time listening to classic rock, their mother would interrupt them to make them listen to Latin music. She brought him CDs of [[Fania All-Stars]], [[Celia Cruz]], [[El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico]], and [[Gilberto Santa Rosa]] that slowly made him appreciate the richness of Puerto Rican culture. Also, she once took them to a Fania All-Stars concert, which Martin is "beyond grateful" for. He expresses that thanks to her mother, those influences had a "profound effect" on his musical career.<ref name="rickybook"/> Martin has also cited [[Elvis Presley]], [[the Beatles]], [[Michael Jackson]], and [[Madonna]] for teaching him "the beauty of pop".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/1999/sep/11/tvandradio.television|title=MTV video awards Grammy winner Lauryn Hill dominates|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Gregoriadis|first=Linus|date=September 10, 1999|access-date=January 16, 2022}}</ref> He stated about Madonna: "I was very influenced by her and her music. I know every choreography of Madonna."<ref name="Document Journal">{{cite news|url=https://www.documentjournal.com/2020/12/ricky-martin-and-berlutis-kris-van-assche-reflect-on-two-decades-of-radical-self-expression/|title=Ricky Martin and Berluti's Kris Van Assche reflect on two decades of radical self expression|work=[[Document Journal]]|last=Hicklin|first=Aaron|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=January 16, 2022}}</ref> Additionally, he mentions [[Carlos Santana]], [[José Feliciano]], Celia Cruz, and [[Gloria Estefan]] as the artists who paved the way for him,<ref name="EW protests">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2019/10/29/ricky-martin-puerto-rico-protests-influenced-new-album-teases-release-date/|title=Ricky Martin says protests in Puerto Rico influenced his new album, teases release date|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 27, 2021|date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> naming Feliciano as one of the people who inspired him when he was a teenager: "I was always fascinated with his music."<ref name="Document Journal"/> In addition to the musical influences, Martin is inspired by [[David Bowie]]'s "ambiguous sexuality".<ref name="Hommes">{{cite news|url=https://www.lofficielitalia.com/uomo/intervista-ricky-martin-the-now-icon-popstar-internazionale-vita-privata#|title=The Now Icon: Ricky Martin|last=Croci|first=Roberto|work=[[L'Officiel Hommes]]|access-date=March 11, 2021|date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> While growing up, he used to ask himself if he wanted to be like the openly gay singer [[Elton John]] or he just liked him, admiring his music, colors, and wigs.<ref name="Variety Come out">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/ricky-martin-gay-comung-out-1234704837/|title=Ricky Martin on the Moment He Decided to Come Out as Gay: 'I've Been Super Happy Ever Since'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Malkin|first=Marc|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2022}}</ref> He has also cited [[Barbra Streisand]] as an entertainer he wants to be like: "I want to be an entertainer, not just a singer."<ref>{{cite news|title=Menudo|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101773390/daily-press/|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|date=December 21, 1995|page=40|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref>

=== Musical styles and themes ===
Considered to be a versatile artist,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://los40.com.pa/los40/2007/08/13/actualidad/1186991400_466104.html|title=Ricky Martin.|publisher=[[Los 40]]|language=es|date=August 13, 2007|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117130856/https://los40.com.pa/los40/2007/08/13/actualidad/1186991400_466104.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://exafm.com/noticias/general/kanye-west-fue-visto-en-la-celebracion-del-cumpleanos-de-su-hija-chicago-se-reencuentra-con-las-kardashian/|title=¿Por qué tenemos dos papás? Preguntaron los hijos de Ricky Martin|publisher=[[XHEXA-FM]]|language=es|date=January 15, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117130845/https://exafm.com/noticias/general/kanye-west-fue-visto-en-la-celebracion-del-cumpleanos-de-su-hija-chicago-se-reencuentra-con-las-kardashian/|url-status=live}}</ref> Martin describes his music as [[Latin pop]], saying: "When you say 'Latin pop', the spectrum is so broad, It's inevitable to not be influenced by everything that's happening in the industry, but always keeping your identity firm by knowing who you are."<ref name="EW protests"/> He has also described his music as fusion, while noting that he does not "ride the waves that are in fashion at the moment".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a32908634/ricky-martin-quarantine-pausa-interview/|title=Ricky Martin Reveals How His New EP, Pausa Helped Him Overcome Quarantine Anxiety|work=[[O, The Oprah Magazine]]|last=Davis|first=Arianna|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117141048/https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a32908634/ricky-martin-quarantine-pausa-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Metro music">{{cite news|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/entretenimiento/2020/01/02/ricky-martin-musicaliza-activismo-politico-social.html|title=Ricky Martin musicaliza su activismo político y social|work=[[Metro International|Metro Puerto Rico]]|language=es|last=Túa|first=Lynet Santiago|date=January 2, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117141057/https://www.metro.pr/pr/entretenimiento/2020/01/02/ricky-martin-musicaliza-activismo-politico-social.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Martin sings in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mdzol.com/mdz-show/2021/7/9/cuantos-hermanos-tiene-ricky-martin-que-es-de-sus-vidas-171399.html|title=¿Cuántos hermanos tiene Ricky Martin y qué es de sus vidas?|publisher=MDZ Online|language=es|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117162253/https://www.mdzol.com/mdz-show/2021/7/9/cuantos-hermanos-tiene-ricky-martin-que-es-de-sus-vidas-171399.html|url-status=live}}</ref> About his lyrics, Martin has emphasized that although his music will always make the listener dance, it does not mean his lyrics "have to be meaningless" and he sings about love and heartbreak, as well as "things that are good for a society", such as "freedom, freedom of expression, and social justice".<ref name="Hommes"/><ref name="Metro music"/> He has also declared that as a Latino, he is not afraid of sexuality and sings about sexuality and sensuality, bringing his culture with him onstage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/ricky-martin-need-more-lgbtq-visibility-album-play-feeling-proud-papa-latinx-artists-interview|title=Ricky Martin On The Need For More LGBTQ+ Visibility, Forthcoming Album 'Play' & Feeling Like A 'Proud Papa' To Younger Latinx Artists|last=Villa|first=Lucas|publisher=Grammy Awards|date=June 16, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2021}}</ref>

=== Voice ===
Martin possesses a [[Tenor#Dramatic|dramatic tenor]] [[Voice type|vocal range]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Rock N Roll Gold Rush: A Singles Un-Cyclopedia|last=Dean|first= Maury|year= 2003|publisher= Algora Publishing|isbn= 978-0-87586-227-9|page= 34|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i6RMBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180530/https://books.google.com/books?id=i6RMBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Gilstrap from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' commented that his "powerful voice" is "capable of belt or lilt",<ref name="Variety performance">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2007/music/markets-festivals/ricky-martin-4-1200559997/|title=Ricky Martin|work=Variety|last=Gilstrap|first=Peter|date=April 22, 2007|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180615/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/ricky-martin-has-tel-aviv-livin-la-vida-loca-467788|url-status=live}}</ref> while ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''{{'}}s Noa Amouyal described his voice as "soulful" and "very powerful".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/ricky-martin-has-tel-aviv-livin-la-vida-loca-467788|title=Ricky Martin shakes his bon-bon (and everything else) in Tel Aviv|work=The Jerusalem Post|last=Amouyal|first=Noa|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180615/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/ricky-martin-has-tel-aviv-livin-la-vida-loca-467788|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995, Enrique Lopetegui of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted Martin's "improved vocal skills" on ''A Medio Vivir''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-05-ca-10662-story.html|title=Yes, There Really Is Life After Menudo : Pop music: After leaving the bubblegum band, Ricky Martin spent a year studying dance and vocals and moved to Mexico, where he starred in a musical and a soap opera. He's now a Latin pop star and a 'General Hospital' regular. That's not all.|work=Los Angeles Times|last=Lopetegui|first=Enrique|date=December 5, 1995|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117211639/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-05-ca-10662-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also from the ''Los Angeles Times'', Ernesto Lechner later praised his vocal for being "charismatic enough to handle both ballads and up-tempo tunes".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-01-ca-24146-story.html|title=Record Rack|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Ernesto|last=Lechner|date=March 1998 |access-date=November 20, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605083113/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/mar/01/entertainment/ca-24146|archive-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> Similarly, ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Chuck Taylor (music journalist)|Chuck Taylor]] expressed "She's All I Ever Had" boasts "a versatility that contrasts nicely" with Martin's previous single, "Livin' la Vida Loca", labeling his vocal on the former "tender and heartfelt".<ref>{{cite magazine|year=1999|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|magazine=Billboard|page=32|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|author-link=Chuck Taylor (music journalist)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|access-date=October 19, 2021|issn=0006-2510|volume=96|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019101614/https://books.google.com/books?id=kggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|archive-date=October 19, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Steve Gerrard of the ''Montreal Rocks'' complimented "his vocal maturity" on ''A Quien Quiera Escuchar''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://montrealrocks.ca/ricky-martin-announces-montreal-show/|title=Ricky Martin announces Montreal show|work=Montreal Rocks|last=Gerrard|first=Steve|date=March 31, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117211750/https://montrealrocks.ca/ricky-martin-announces-montreal-show/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music videos ===
''Billboard'' labeled Martin "a video icon", and ranked him as the 79th Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time in 2020, stating: "From the moment he sashayed up to the mic in 'Livin La Vida Loca' all dressed in black, and gave us that look, the Menudo alum became the most memorable and watchable drop-dead handsome guy in pop music."<ref name="BillboardGV">{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-best-music-video-artists-9440075/|title=The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time: Staff List|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 24, 2021|date=August 27, 2020}}</ref> He has collaborated with various directors to produce his music videos, including Carlos Perez,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.carlosperez.com/| title=Carlos Perez| publisher=Carlos Perez| access-date=January 18, 2022| archive-date=January 18, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118085546/https://www.carlosperez.com/| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Wayne Isham]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://los40.com/los40/2021/07/05/los40classic/1625494629_079015.html|title=Ricky Martin: La conexión de 'Livin' la vida loca' con Frank Sinatra, Madonna y James Bond|publisher=Los 40|last=Gomez|first=Alicia Sanchez|language=es|access-date=October 4, 2021|date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004131925/https://los40.com/los40/2021/07/05/los40classic/1625494629_079015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jessy Terrero]],<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.univision.com/musica/wisin-decide-estrenar-tres-videos-musicales| title=Wisin decide estrenar tres videos musicales| publisher=[[Univision]]| access-date=June 26, 2021| date=November 2, 2015|language=Spanish| archive-date=November 7, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107004902/https://www.univision.com/musica/wisin-decide-estrenar-tres-videos-musicales| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Simón Brand]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://peopleenespanol.com/article/ricky-martin-estreno-el-video-de-sencillo-la-mordidita-grabado-cartagena-de-indias-colombia-video/|title=Ricky Martin estrenó el video de 'La mordidita' (Video)|work=[[People en Español]]|last=Castro|first=Nohelia|language=es|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118090129/https://peopleenespanol.com/article/ricky-martin-estreno-el-video-de-sencillo-la-mordidita-grabado-cartagena-de-indias-colombia-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gustavo Garzón]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Ricky tomará vacaciones junto a Rebeca |url=https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/66026.ricky-tomara-vacaciones-junto-a-rebeca.html/ |website=El Siglo de Torreón |access-date=September 21, 2021 |language=es |date=December 21, 2003 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921222145/https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/66026.ricky-tomara-vacaciones-junto-a-rebeca.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Nigel Dick]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nigeldick.com/films/productions-1999/|title=Productions 1999|publisher=[[Nigel Dick]]|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023131916/https://www.nigeldick.com/films/productions-1999/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kacho López Mari|Kacho Lopez]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/ricky-martin-tiburones-video-8548902/|title=Ricky Martin Proclaims Peace With Powerful Ballad 'Tiburones': Watch the Video|last=Fernandez|first=Suzette|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> and Memo del Bosque.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rzg.pl/audycja/ricky-martin-maria/|title=Ricky Martin - Maria|last=Jankowska|first=Katarzyna|publisher=Radio Zielona Góra|access-date=August 27, 2021|date=September 10, 2018|language=Polish|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827193133/https://www.rzg.pl/audycja/ricky-martin-maria/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Livin' la Vida Loca" was nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] at the [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards]], making Martin the first Latin artist in history to receive a nomination in this category.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-09-09-5-best-hip-hop-moments-from-the-1999-mtv-video-music-awards/|title=5 Best Hip Hop Moments From The 1999 MTV Video Music Awards|last=Anthony|first=Kiyonna|publisher=[[iHeartRadio]]|access-date=September 11, 2021|date=September 10, 2021}}</ref> It won a total of five awards at the ceremony,<ref name="BillboardGV"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/38702/livin-la-vida-flashback|title=Livin' La Vida Flashback|last=Marti|first=Diana|publisher=[[E!]]|date=September 14, 1999|access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> making it rank among [[MTV Video Music Awards#Most wins for a single video|the videos with most wins in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/mtv-video-music-awards-most-wins-of-all-time/vma-most-wins-ricky-martin-livin-la-vida-loca/|title=MTV Video Music Awards: Most Wins Of All Time|publisher=[[Gold Derby]]|date=August 6, 2018|access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> The explicit sexual scenes of the music video for "She Bangs" were met with criticism from the audience; several [[American television]] stations cut the scenes when airing the video. According to the ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'''s John Dingwall, with the visual, Martin ditched his teen idol image by transforming to a more mature one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65721794.html|title=Off the Record: Risque Martin, Latin Star's New Video is Sizler|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|last=Dingwall|first=John|date=October 4, 2000|access-date=December 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413163642/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65721794.html|archive-date=April 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was consequently banned in several Latin American countries, such as the Dominican Republic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/2000/11/20&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04517&PageLabel=45|title=¿Chismosa yo? ...¡para nada!|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|page=45|date=November 20, 2000|access-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> Martin told [[MTV News]] that the video represented freedom rather than his sexuality.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricky Martin, un canto a la ambigüedad sexual|url=http://archivo.lavoz.com.ar/2000/1206/nota3635_1.htm|access-date=December 15, 2014|work=[[La Voz del Interior]]|date=December 6, 2000|language=es|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230731/http://archivo.lavoz.com.ar/2000/1206/nota3635_1.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The video was awarded Best Music Video at the 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Best Clip of the Year – Latin at the 2001 ''Billboard'' Music Video Awards, and [[Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] at the [[Premio Lo Nuestro 2001|13th Lo Nuestro Awards]].<ref name="billboard.com"/><ref name="Billboard MV Award">{{cite magazine|year=2001|title=Gorillaz, Fatboy Slim Top Video Awards|magazine=Billboard|page=10|last=Hay|first=Carla|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0006-2510|volume=104}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|title=Lo Nuestro – Historia|language=es|publisher=Univision|access-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102925/http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|archive-date=June 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>