NEW YORK (AP) — Salsa star Marc Anthony has been named 2016 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.
The academy will honor the five-time Latin Grammy and two-time Grammy winner on Nov. 16 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on the eve of the Latin Grammys.
“I was ecstatic when I received the news,” Anthony said in a press release shared exclusively with The Associated Press on Tuesday in advance of its wide release. “It is an honor and I am humbled to be selected as The Person of Year recipient for my contributions as a music ambassador and my humanitarian efforts.”
Marc Anthony has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. His hits include not only salsa songs in Spanish like “Vali≤ la pena” and “Vivir mi vida,” but also pop hits in English like “I Need to Know” and “You Sang to Me.”
As a humanitarian, Anthony is co-founder and vice chairman of the Maestro Cares Foundation, which helps rescue and providing critical resources to impoverished children in Latin American. Since its creation in 2012, the foundation has opened orphanages in the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico.
The star-studded gala will feature renditions of the singer’s renowned music catalog by an array of notable artists to be announced later. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the charitable work of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which provides assistance through scholarships, fellowships, grants, and educational programs year-round to music students.
“Marc Anthony is synonymous with excellence and commitment to perfection,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president and CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, in the press release. “The world knows him as a music king; however, on Nov. 16, the award-winning singer will not only be honored for his musical legacy but also applauded for his relentless humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony joins a list of past honorees that includes Miguel Bose, Roberto Carlos, Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Joan Manuel Serrat, Ricky Martin and Shakira, among others.
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