Marc Anthony Named Latin Recording Academy's 2016 Person of the Year

The singer said he was ecstatic to learn about this special recognition

Once the Latin Grammy Awards come around, everyone is anxious to see who will be named the Person of the Year—it's a quite an honor. This year's honoree will be Marc Anthony at the star-studded gala and tribute concert that takes place a night before the award show. 

"Marc Anthony is synonymous with excellence and commitment to perfection," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "His impressive stage presence, astonishing vocal range and salsa-inspired rhythmic sound stems from his Caribbean roots. The world knows him as a music king; however, on Nov. 16 the award-winning singer will not only be honored for his musical legacy but also applauded for his relentless humanitarian efforts, which speak to his generous spirit, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact on more than just the stage." 

"I was ecstatic when I received the news about this special recognition from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.  It is an honor and I am humbled to be selected as The Person of Year recipient for my contributions as a music ambassador and my humanitarian efforts.  I am looking forward to an unforgettable evening at this year's gala benefiting the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and can't wait to celebrate in the company of family, friends and our music industry peers," Marc Anthony said.

Anthony has won five Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. He was inaugurated into the Billboard Hall of Fame in 2012 and given a Lifetime Chair's Achievement Award by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institue in 2009. Recently, Anthony co-created Maestro Cares, a non-profit that aims to help orphanages in Latin America. Last April, Anthony announced the formation of Magnus Media, whose operating units will include an artist management company, music publishing, digital content creation, film and television, music label, sports division, and an entertainment-centric marketing practice focused on leveraging the power of top Latino content creators worldwide. 

Congrats, Marc!