Bad Bunny‘s historic month — careening from Grammy album of the year honors into the annals of Super Bowl halftime history — feels like a coronation for Latin music. For Marc Anthony, it’s just confirmation of what he’s always known — that salsa and particularly the rhythms and culture out of the two singers’ native Puerto Rico are worthy of a mass, crossover celebration.
Anthony, 57, remains one of the undisputed giants of the genre. He’s currently readying his debut Las Vegas residency: Vegas… My Way!, debuting Feb. 13 in the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau.
The singing great took a break from rehearsals to talk to The Hollywood Reporter about Bunny’s triumph, the president’s ugly remarks about it, the Beckham family feud that he’s reluctantly been dragged into and his excitement at landing on the Strip.
Hi, Marc! What a time for the genre of music that you had such a big hand in popularizing.
I’m a lifer. I’ve been doing it all my life. I’m just glad that we’re in the middle of a celebration of anything cultural. I get it. I understand why people are enjoying our music and what we have to offer as a culture. It’s a proud moment for me.
I assume you watched Bad Bunny’s halftime show yesterday. What are your takeaways of what you saw?
I sure did watch the Super Bowl. It was a proud moment all the way around. Here’s a gentleman who is not only a great friend of mine, but I’ve known him since before he even started in music. Bad Bunny is proud of his culture, proud of everything that we as Puerto Ricans offer as a people. And he chose that platform to not serve himself but just serve the greater good and just instill a little pride in all Latinos at this moment, especially at this moment.
Our culture was always worthy of celebration. I could not have been prouder of the fact that he took that opportunity to celebrate the little idiosyncrasies of what it’s like to be Latino. I was clapping at the TV.
There were details that I didn’t fully appreciate at first viewing, but I saw people noting them later on social media. One was a kid taking a nap on some chairs at a party.
That’s what it was! We used to go to house parties and we’d run around with our cousins and we’d sleep under the coats, on top of the coats, until our parents were ready to go home. Little nuances like that brought a smile to my face, and I’m sure to anybody who’s experienced it. It just took me back.
I saw some photos backstage of him hugging Ricky Martin. You’re a small brotherhood, this sphere of Puerto Rican musical superstars. What does that kind of homage mean?
That’s what it’s all about. We’re extremely well aware of our predecessors. I give Celia Cruz and Tito Puente and Rubén Blades every shoutout I can, because they’re the ones who paved the way. I had the honor of sharing the stage with Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico singing “Preciosa.”
We understand what we’re in the middle of and our responsibility when we take on sharing our art globally. Ricky deserves that acknowledgment. Lady Gaga deserves it. They deserve it because they’re putting in the work in the name of celebrating culture. It’s that simple.
Not to bring the party down, but I’m wondering if you saw what President Trump said about Bunny’s performance. And do you have any response to that?
I did not see what Trump said about his performance and I don’t give a shit.
What can your fans expect from your Las Vegas residency?
It’s a totally different proposition. I have my stadium show and my arena show that I’ve been doing for years, but this Vegas residency affords itself for me to do things I’ve never done before. I’m designing a show for this intimate room. I’m going to sing songs I’ve never been able to perform live in my life, for various reasons. When you have 114 No. 1s, you can only sing a certain amount. I’m looking forward to just that bucket list moment of giving those songs life on stage.
It’s going to be a big party. I think I’ll talk a little more; I’ll probably tell a couple of stories. And since I’ll be here for a while, we’ll arrange for some special guests to pass through and duet with me.
This is your first Las Vegas residency. Your co-parent, Jennifer Lopez, has done it several times. I saw her at Planet Hollywood. She’s currently at Caesar’s Palace. Has she given you any advice on the grueling nature of Las Vegas residencies?
No. I don’t need advice from Jennifer as far as concerts are concerned. I’ve seen her residency, as well. No, she hasn’t.
You’re like, “I think I got this.” Finally, I saw your name come up recently with this whole Beckham family thing. Do you have anything to say about being pulled into that situation?
I have nothing to say about what’s happening with the family. They’re a wonderful, wonderful family. I’ve known them since before the kids were born. I’m godfather to Cruz. I’m really close to the family. But I have nothing to say about what happened there. It’s extremely unfortunate how it’s playing out — but [how it’s playing out] is hardly the truth.
Credit: Source link