First published 2016
Tommy Mottola chronicles the rise of Latin music from the Bronx streets to mainstream America. The legendary producer shares his personal journey from childhood fascination with Tito Puente's rhythms to orchestrating the careers of superstars like Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Shakira. Mottola reveals intimate stories of his partnerships with Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the tragic loss of Selena at her peak, and the strategic moves that created the Latin music explosion of the 1990s. He traces the evolution from Ritchie Valens' early crossover success through Carlos Santana's guitar mastery to Marc Anthony's meteoric rise. This companion to the HBO documentary The Latin Explosion examines how Latino culture reshaped American entertainment and society. Mottola argues that Latin music represents more than commercial success but reflects a growing cultural influence that continues transforming the nation's identity and sound.
Genres: american, non-fiction, biography-memoir, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, rise-to-fame
Setting: Bronx, America
Period: 1990s
256 pages · Hardcover · Celebra