With the spotlight on Latin-flavored “Tierra del Fuego” this month I am going to focus the next few blog entries on Latin pop.

Who better to start with than the “King of Latin Pop” himself Enrique Iglesias.

Enrique, son of 1970s Spanish superstar Julio Iglesias, started his Spanish-language recording career in the mid-1990s and broke onto the US charts with 1999’s “Bailamos”, part of the “Wild Wild West” movie soundtrack.  The single went to no.1 in the US and Enrique’s native Spain, and in the top 10 in many other countries.

Since then, Enrique has alternated albums in English and Spanish and sold over 100 million records worldwide.

His best-selling single to date is “Hero” from his sophomore English-language album, 2001’s “Escape”.

While his looks and sexiness are 100% Latin-hot, his music has evolved from his Spanish roots into a more global dance-pop sound, particularly on his last 3 albums, 2003’s “7”, 2007’s “Insomniac” and 2010’s “Euphoria”...

Enrique is not just a great performer, but a talented songwriter in his own right, co-writing the majority of his songs, as well scoring a number of hits for other artists.

His most successful and prolific songwriting collaborations have been with Paul Barry and Mark Taylor (“Bailamos”, “Rhythm Divine”, “Be With You”, “Hero”, “Love to See You Cry”, “Addicted”, “Not in Love”, “Heartbeat”,…).  He has also co-written extensively with Roberto Morales, Rafael Prez-Botija, Chein García-Alonso, Kara DioGuardi, David Siegel, Steve Morales, Gregg Alexander, RedOne, and many others…

Here’s a video playlist from my YouTube channel featuring a small sample of essential Enrique Iglesias hits:

• I Like It (from 2010’s “Euphoria”, written by RedOne, Enrique Iglesias, Lionel Richie & Armando Perez; produced by RedOne)
• Heartbeat (feat. Nicole Scherzinger) (from 2010’s “Euphoria”, written by Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Scott & Mark Taylor; produced by Mark Taylor)
• Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You) (2010, written by Enrique Iglesias, Lauren Christy & Christopher Bridges; produced by DJ Frank E)
• Hero (from 2001’s “Escape”, written by Enrique Iglesias, Mark Taylor & Paul Barry; produced by Mark Taylor)
• Escape (from 2001’s “Escape”, written by Enrique Iglesias, Kara DioGuardi, David Siegel & Steve Morales; produced by Steve Morales & Enrique Iglesias)
• Rhythm Divine (from 1999’s “Enrique”; written by Paul Barry & Mark Taylor; produced by Mark Taylor & Brian Rawling)
• Bailamos (from 1999’s “Enrique”; written by Paul Barry & Mark Taylor; produced by Mark Taylor & Brian Rawling)