The Day

Marc Anthony is Latin Grammy Person of the Year

- By SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

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 re- ceived the news,” Anthony said in a press 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 “Valió 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 provides critical resources to impoverish­ed children in Latin America. 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.

 ?? CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP, FILE ?? Marc Anthony
CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP, FILE Marc Anthony

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