The greatest Latin crossover artists

Ritchie Valens

Richard Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, was the first Latin rock 'n' roll idol in America thanks to his classic 'La Bamba,' and he became a legend after he died in an air crash at the age of 17. Even after his death he has been honored with several accolades, and he is the first Latino artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

AP

José Feliciano

With more than 40 years of music making, José Feliciano is one of the few Latin artists who have enjoyed success both in Spanish and English rock 'n' roll. He crossed over to the English-language music market when his Christmas classic, 'Feliz Navidad,' became a smash hit in the United States as well as in Latin America.

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Celia Cruz

In more than five decades of performing, salsa legend Celia Cruz, one of the most successful Cuban performers of the 20th century, received many of music's highest accolades including five Grammys and two Latin Grammys. Widely known as "The Queen of Salsa," Celia's influence transcended her music as an innovator and an ambassador of Latin culture worldwide.

Luca Bruno, AP

Carlos Santana

Considered a rock 'n' roll icon, Santana has showed that music goes beyond any borders. His unique blend of blues, Latin rhythms, jazz and rock has been present for almost four decades, and it has been heard all over the world, selling over 90 million records. His talent has been honored with ten Grammy Awards, nine of which he received for his blockbuster album, 'Supernatural'.

J Records

Gloria Estefan

As one of the biggest new stars to emerge during the mid-'80s, Gloria Estefan predated the Latin pop explosion by a decade. The Cuban-born, "Queen of Latin Pop" was a key player in opening the door for Latin artists to gain mainstream success. In 2008, Gloria was honored as Person of the Year by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Science for philanthropic, professional and cultural accomplishments.

Sony

Selena

Selena crossed cultural boundaries and touched the lives of young and old alike with her music. Yet her true potential was never reached. Selena's crossover album -- 'Dreaming of You' -- her first English-language record was released four months after a tragic shooting that took her life. The release became the first Tejano album to reach No. 1 in the United States, and it went on to reach double platinum the year it was released.

EMI

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin shook his bom-bom all the way to superstardom when his explosive live performance of 'The Cup of Life' at the 41st annual Grammy Awards captured the attention of the world. That night he also nabbed the Grammy for best Latin Pop Album. He has also received several awards for his accomplishments as a humanitarian.

Sony

Marc Anthony

Multitalented artist Marc Anthony was a salsa superstar throughout the 1990s, long before the Latin pop explosion, but he emerged into pop mainstream with the salsa-tinged single 'I Need to Know' off his English-language, self-titled album. With nearly 40 million albums sold worldwide, he is one of the biggest global superstars of our time.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Getty Images

Enrique Iglesias

The son of multimillion-selling singer Julio Iglesias, Enrique began a successful crossover career into the English-language music market in 1999. Iglesias' contribution to the soundtrack of Will Smith's movie 'Wild Wild West', 'Bailamos,' became a No. 1 hit single. With the success of his new album released after 5 years, Enrique proved once again why he is one of the greatest Latin artists.

Ulysses S. Romero, Laredo Morning Times / AP

Shakira

After achieving superstardom throughout Latin America, the Colombian-born singer-songwriter Shakira became Latin pop's biggest female crossover artist ever with the chart-topping album, 'Laundry Service'. Shakira's second English album, 'Oral Fixation Vol. 2,' was released in November 2005 to both critical and commercial acclaim. Her hit single 'Hips Don't Lie' made history in the summer of 2006 when it became the most played song on the radio, ever!

Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images