Marc Anthony’s “3.0” Becomes First-Ever Salsa Album to Earn RIAA’s Diamante Certification

Marc Anthony is shining bright like a diamond…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, the best-selling tropical salsa artist of all time, has earned a spot in the annals of music history with his 2013 album 3.0, which at the time was his first salsa album in a decade.

Marc Anthony

The album, which was considered a risky release at the time with tropical music beginning to fade in popularity due to the resurgence of reggaeton, has became the first salsa album ever to be certified “Diamante,” the RIAA’s highest certification for a Latin album, for shipments of over 600,000 copies in the U.S. alone.

Anthony announced the major accomplishment on his Instagram page, posting a slideshow of photos that feature him cozying up to the Diamond plaque and grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow 3.0 First Salsa album ever to reach Diamond Status,” Anthony wrote in his caption. “Thanks to my team and everyone that worked on the album y Gracias a mis fans por siempre apoyar mi música y hacer este uno de sus favoritos. God bless!”

This major milestone for the project is only its latest accomplishment.

In 2013, 3.0 became the top-selling release of the year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The hit single from the album, “Vivir Mi Vida,” also spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, becoming the first tropical single in a decade to top the chart and the longest-running No. 1 tropical song in the history of the chart.

“It’s a huge honor for us at Sony Music Latin to work with Marc,” Sony Music Latin Iberia Chairman and CEO Afo Verde said as he presented Marc Anthony his RIAA Diamante plaque in a virtual ceremony. “He continues to break records time and time again and creates new ones all on his own. His music is forever. He’s proven that his recordings, from birth and even five, 10, 20 years later, are everlasting and will be sung by everyone for a lifetime.”

Anthony also talked about the milestone, revealing the confidence boost the success of the project gave him all those years ago.

“The arrival of this new achievement in this particular time is truly gratifying and inspiring for me,” Marc said. “3.0 was an album that I considered risky at the time of its release. The Latin music industry was beginning to shift and the main attention was going to other genres. The album was embraced by everyone in such a powerful way. That response gave a boost of reassurance in my career and my instincts as a music creator.”

With this accomplishment under his belt, Anthony is now working on new music.

Anthony’s “Flor Palida” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay Chart

Marc Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time for a reason…

Not only did the 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter sweep the Latin categories at the Billboard Music Awards, he’s also just moved ahead of Victor Manuelle to hold the record of No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart.

Marc Anthony

Anthony’s “Flor Palida,” the third single from his award-winning salsa album 3.0, reached the summit this week while earning Greatest Gainer honors on the chart.

Anthony, who had been tied with Manuelle for the record, now has 23 No. 1 songs on the chart.

His other chart-toppers include “Vivir Mi Vida, “Cambio de Piel,” “Dimelo,” “Si Te Vas” and “No Me Ames,” his duet with ex-wife Jennifer Lopez.

Anthony Wins All Three Latin Prizes at the Billboard Music Awards

It’s a clean sweep for Marc Anthony

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican salsa and pop singer swept the Latin music categories at this year’s 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

Marc Anthony

It’s a high point for Anthony, in a year that has seen him receive awards and accolades for his salsa comeback album 3.0, and the smash hit single “Vivir Mi Vida.” The track spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart — a record for 2014.

Anthony received the BBMAs’ Top Latin Artist award, beating out Romeo Santos, Mexican Regional singer/songwriter Gerardo Ortiz, Prince Royce, and the late Jenni Rivera.

Meanwhile, “3.0” and “Vivir Mi Vida” won the best Latin Album and Best Latin Song awards, respectively. Anthony did not appear on the BBMAs televised broadcast.

Anthony’s first studio salsa album in a decade has helped revive interest in salsa throughout the world.

“It [proved] people want good music,” Anthony said during a Q&A at the Billboard Latin Music Conference last month. “It’s a blessing; it’s like given me new life. It’s introduced my music to a lot of people.”

Anthony to Perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Marc Anthony won’t just be a favorite at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, he’ll also be a performer.

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, the biggest selling tropical salsa artist of all time, has joined the star-studded list of performers at this year’s upcoming awards ceremony, which includes recent additions Prince Royce and Franco de Vita.

Marc Anthony

The Grammy- and Latin-Grammy winning artist has reached the No. 1 spot on the Tropical Airplay chart 23 times, and has eight No. 1s on the Top Latin Albums chart.

The 15-time finalist last year chose the Billboard Latin Music Awards stage for the worldwide premiere of “Vivir Mi Vida,” which spent 17 weeks at the top of the Hot Latin Songs chart and became his eighth No.1 hit.

Anthony, Prince Royce and de Vita join previously announced performers Laura Pausini, Ricky Martin, David Bisbal, Juanes, Luis Fonsi, La Arrolladora Banda El Limon De Rene Camacho, Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga and 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Andrea Bocelli.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards, the longest-running Latin music awards show, will be broadcast live on Telemundo, Thursday, April 24 at &:00pm ET from the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.

The complete list of finalists, plus exclusive content on this year’s event, can be found at Telemundo.com/PremiosBillboard.

Anthony to Perform “God Bless America” at MLB All-Star Game

Marc Anthony is preparing for an all-star performance…

The 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer will perform “God Bless America” during the seventh inning of the upcoming MLB All-Star Game, which will take place on July 16 and be broadcast live on Fox.

Marc Anthony

Anthony, whose salsa song “Vivir Mi Vida” has been No. 1 for the eight consecutive weeks on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, has gained acclaim for performing the national anthem, including a show-stopping performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner at the 2011 NBA Finals.

Meanwhile, Anthony’s “Rain Over Me” co-collaborator Pitbull will also make at appearance at the big game.

The 32-year-old Cuban American rap superstar will warm up the crowd at the Home Run Derby, taking place July 15 and airing on ESPN.

Mr. Worldwide will perform his hits “Don’t Stop the Party” and “Feel This Moment.”

American Idol winner Candace Glover will sing the national anthem before the start of the all-star game.

Five of Rivera’s Works Rank Among The Top-Selling Latin Albums in 2013 So Far

The late Jenni Rivera‘s presence is still being felt on the Billboard charts…

The Mexican American singer death in a plane crash last December has had a huge impact on this year’s Latin music sales. At the mid-way point (through the week ending June 30, 2012), Rivera registers five of the top 10 biggest-selling Latin albums in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Jenni Rivera

In fact, the top four selling Latin albums in 2013 are all by La Diva de la Banda.

Rivera’s La Misma Gran Señora is the top-selling Latin set of 2013 so far, selling 103,000 copies, rising 13% over last year’s top mid-year seller, Romeo SantosFormula: Vol. 1., which had sold 91,000 by the mid-year point of 2012.

Rivera’s Joyas Prestadas: Pop comes in at No. 2 on the 2 list with 100,000 sold so far. Both titles cross the 100,00 threshold, the first Billboard has had two Latin albums sell in excess of 100,000 at the mid-way point of the year since 2011.

Sales of the top ten mid-year Latin albums saw a 17% increase from last year’s top ten.  At this point in 2012, the ten best selling Latin albums had moved a combined 467,000, whereas this year sales exceed 545,000.

Contributing to the sales growth was Draco Rosa, whose duets project Vida lands at the No. 8 position on the mid-year list with 29,000 sold. Vicente Fernandez rounds out the list at No. 10 with El Hijo Del Pueblo, selling 28,000.

On the Latin digital song sales chart, Marc Anthony‘s “Vivir Mi Vida” at No. 5 is the highest-ranked new song on the best-selling Latin songs list. It’s the year’s No. 5 best-seller, having moved 83,000 downloads thus far.

In 2013 so far, five Latin songs have sold more than 100,000 digital downloads, matching the amount that did so at this point a year ago.  Shakira‘s “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” both remain in the mid-year’s top five for the fourth year in a row (Nos. 2 and 4, respectively). Don Omar’s “Danza Kuduro” (No. 1) continues in its third year among the mid-year top 10.

Overall Latin album sales stand at 4.31 million this year — down 14% compared to a year ago (5.02 million). Latin digital song sales are at 11.13 million for 2013 thus far — down 5.3% versus a year ago (11.75 million). To compare, overall album sales are down by 6%, while overall song sales slide by 2%.

Anthony to Promote New Salsa Album at Special Concert Dates

Marc Anthony is taking his salsa show on the road…

Following the release of the 44-year-old Puerto Rican’s hit single “Vivir Mi Vida,” a salsa-driven declaration of independence that currently tops the Billboard Latin airplay chart, Anthony will perform four live shows in August and September.

Marc Anthony

The singer will hold concerts at the Miami Arena, the Nassau Coliseum and the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. In addition, he’ll make a debut appearance at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.

Anthony’s new album, 3.0, will go on sale on July 23. The album, marking his long-awaited return to salsa, was produced by Sergio George who was behind Anthony’s early salsa hits.

Here’s a look at Anthony’s upcoming concert dates:

Aug. 23: Miami (American Airlines Arena)
Sept. 1: Uniondale, NY (Nassau Coliseum)
Sept. 7: Rosemont, IL (Allstate Arena)
Sept. 10: Vienna, Va. (Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts)

Anthony’s “Vivir Mi Vida” Rises to No. 1 on Two More Billboard Charts

Marc Anthony’s latest single is still making its mark on the Billboard charts…

This week, the 44-year-old’s Puerto Rican singer’s single “Vivir Mi Vida” has climbed to the summit on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as well as the Tropical Songs chart.

Marc Anthony

It’s the latest No. 1 showing for the song on the Billboard chart.

Earlier this month “Vivir Mi Vida,” Anthony’s first single from his upcoming album of the same name, climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in only its second week.

“Vivir Mi Vida,” which Anthony debuted at last month’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, was his first No. 1 as a lead act in nearly nine years and became his seventh career Hot Latin Songs No. 1.

The salsa superstar has sold 7.5 million albums in the U.S.