Music of Puerto Rico - Artists: Glenn Monroig

Monroig, Glen - Other

Glenn Monroig was born on 22 April 1957 in San Juan, Puerto Rico and appeared on the music scene in 1980 with a style and sensitivity so distinct from the mainstream, that he made the critics wonder at just how to label and classify him.

But the public was captivated by this unique artist and his non-commercial style. He debuted with "Jamás te voy a abandonar así otra vez", and immediately demonstrated a genuine sincerity in his songs; ballads on social themes in a fusion of different musical styles. Definitely vanguard; definitely real and worthy.

The success was compounded in time, with hits such as "Mírame a los ojos", which took him to the OIT Festival in 1982 and was popular on the radio. His versatility came through with his 1983 song "No finjas"; the first rap song in Spanish. In 1984, he followed with "Me dijeron" and its serious treatment of the subject of homosexuality.

He released "Por Siempre" in 1986, which included a Spanish version of Kenny Loggins "Forever", and which demonstrated his skill at composition, both in English and Spanish. Many artists have interpreted his works, including such luminaries as Cheo Feliciano, Lucecita Benítez, Nydia Caro, Lunna and Gilberto Monroig. One of his songs: "Todo depende de ti", became the 1988 anti-drug campaign theme song in Puerto Rico; sung jointly by Ednita Nazario, Danny Rivera, Yolandita Monge, Sophy, Lourdes Robles, Menudo, and others.

In 1988, his album Apasionado hit the top of the charts and his later album Causa y efecto won accolades for being in a "class apart" in the Latin American music scene, for its high quality so typical of this multi-talented artist. Similarly, he followed with the album Tropical... una vez más which once again demonstrated his great versatility, and his last to be recorded on the WEA label.