Glenn Monroig
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glenn Monroig, also known as "Glen", (born April 22, 1957 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) - composer and singer.
Glenn uses various different types of music styles, such as salsa, boleros and rumba. He is credited with recording the first rap song in Spanish.
His father was the renowned singer of boleros, Gilberto Monroig. Glenn received his primary and secondary education in San Juan. It wasn't until he was 23 years old that he made his professional singing debut.
In 1980, Glenn recorded and had his first "hit" with "Jamas te voy abandonar asi otra vez" (I'm never gonna leave you this way again). In 1982, he represented Puerto Rico in the "OTI" Music Festival with the song "Mirame a los Ojos" (Look into My Eyes). That year he also started his own record label "Mamoku" and later also founded his own recording company called "Sitting Duck".
In 1983, Glenn recorded "No Finjas", the first Spanish language rap song. In 1984, he recorded and sang the song "Me Dijeron" (I was told), which treated the sensitive subject of the homosexual in a respectful way. In 1986, Glenn had one of his greatest "hits' with "Por Siempre" (Forever). He started composing by converting English songs into Spanish, such as "Forever" which was originally written by Kenny Loggins.
Among the singers who have worked with Glenn are:
- Emmanuel,
- Luis Enrique,
- Cheo Feliciano,
- Lucecita Benitez,
- Nydia Caro,
- Lunna. With Lunna, he recorded "A Todo Dar" (Everything Goes), the "first" digitally produced album in Puerto Rico.
- His father Gilberto.
Glenn also wrote the anti-drug theme song for the Government of Puerto Rico's campaign against drugs. The theme has been recorded by Ednita Nazario, Danny Rivera, Sophy and the group Menudo.
Some of the other different styles of music that he has recorded are boleros such as "Intimo", rumbas such as "Rumbo a rumba" and jazz with "Nevando en Puerto Rico".
In the 1990s, Glenn established the "Mezza Lunna Recording Studios" in San Juan, where he continued to work with national and internationally known artists. He also produced and directed musical videos for various artists.
On September 2003, Glenn presented his "Esos son otros 20 pesos" (That will be another 20 dollars) concert at the Antonio Paoli Hall of the Luis A. Ferre Center for the Performing Arts (Centro de Bellas Arts) in San Juan. Glenn is currently involved in all of the aspects of music.
He had a long romance with Camille Carrion and became a second father to Carrion's daughter, Paloma Suau. Monroig is currently married to graphic designer Sonia Rivera and in 2004 had a daughter, named Salomé. Glenn Monroig has been an outspoken backer of many causes, such as the anti Castro movements.
