1999: RICKY MARTIN

WHAT WE SAID THEN ''Let it never be said that Martin pioneered a Latin-music invasion. While he did ignite the current boom (see also Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, etc.), his particular fusion of mambo, salsa, and pop-rock has been done before.... What sets Martin apart is his heartfelt mission: to shatter stereotypes of Latinos, specifically Puerto Ricans, who have been used as a punchline among white Americans for decades.'' —Jess Cagle