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1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

In the third part of our series exploring crossover in pop music, we reexamine the so-called "Latin explosion" of the '90s: what it was supposed to be for audiences across the U.S., and what it actually came to represent. Blake Cale for NPR hide caption

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Blake Cale for NPR

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1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Latino artists like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira ruled the pop charts. But who was that so-called "Latin Explosion" actually for, and what were the business considerations behind it? In the third part of our series exploring crossover in pop music, we examine how this supposed boom turned out to be more of a marketing creation, which evaporated when digital streaming entered the picture.

1999's 'Latin Explosion' chased crossover hits. Today, Latino artists don't need them

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Alt.Latino: A Puerto Rican Power Trio, Miami Chillwave, Industrial Rosalía

Bad Bunny (left), Ricky Martin and Residente collaborate on a new track, just in time for the Latin Grammys. Alejandro Pedrosa/Courtesy of Sony Music Latin hide caption

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Alejandro Pedrosa/Courtesy of Sony Music Latin

Alt.Latino

Alt.Latino: A Puerto Rican Power Trio, Miami Chillwave, Industrial Rosalía

Ricky Martin, Residente & Bad Bunny celebrate the uplift of the Puerto Rican people through music on this week's playlist. Plus new music from Rosalía, MillionYoung and Henry Cole.

For The Love Of Ricky Martin: In Praise Of Latin Pop

Ricky Martin. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images hide caption

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Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Alt.Latino

For The Love Of Ricky Martin: In Praise Of Latin Pop

Vocal coach Ximena Mor (of The Voice Mexico) joins Alt.Latino's Jasmine Garsd to discuss why Latin pop stars don't always get the credit they deserve.

For The Love Of Ricky Martin: In Praise Of Latin Pop

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Ricky Martin's Second Act

Ricky Martin performs as Ché in the current Broadway run of Evita. Martin will leave the show in January 2013. Richard Termine hide caption

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Richard Termine

Music Interviews

Ricky Martin's Second Act

Though best known as a pop idol, the Puerto Rican singer has also acted for much of his career. This year, he's done both at once, starring in the Broadway revival of Evita.

Ricky Martin's Second Act

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Ricky Martin: A Pop Star Rises Again

Ricky Martin says his time with the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo "was all about discipline. ... Now, it's about not wearing masks and just being who I am." Jason Merritt/Getty Images hide caption

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Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Ricky Martin: A Pop Star Rises Again

Martin shot to stardom with his hit single "Livin' La Vida Loca" in 1999. While he's spent much of the past decade under the radar, Martin is back with Musica + Alma + Sexo.

Ricky Martin: A Pop Star Rises Again

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