El Cantante (English: The Singer) is the soundtrack album to the film of the same name, the ninth studio album and seventh made in Spanish recorded by Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter Marc Anthony The album witch released by Sony BMG Norte on July 24, 2007 (see 2007 in music).[1]
Marc Anthony plays the role of Héctor Lavoe in El Cantante, a film he had been wanting and waiting to make for many years.[2] Lavoe was known, and is still considered a hero to salsa fans, famed for the artistry of his vocals and the intensity of his rhythm, as well as his involvement with famous salsa musician Willie Colón during the early '70s were high points for salsa, and they paved the way for many vocalists to come (including one Marc Anthony). The album is not only a soundtrack, but a tribute album to the famous salsa singer. Anthony's cover versions of "Aguanile", "Che Che Colé", "Mi Gente" and "El Cantante", have become chart topping hits on the United States Latin Billboard. Anthony also worked with Rubén Blades during the production of the film, as well as the soundtrack. The tenth track finds Jennifer Lopez, Anthony's wife in the film, performing a pop ballad titled "Toma de Mí," composed by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. The album was awarded Best Salsa Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2008 and Tropical Album of the Year at the 2008 Latin Billboard Music Awards.
The soundtrack debuted at number 1 on the BillboardTop Latin Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. In its second week it still peaked at number 1 on the Top Latin Albums but felt back 2 places to end at number 33 on the Billboard 200. It still peaked the Top Latin Albums in the third, fourth and fifth week and went on number 32, number 44 and number 55 on the Billboard 200.[3]
