#SPOTTED: RICKY MARTIN IN TORONTO AT SCOTIABANK CENTRE

Ricky Martin needs no introduction. The King of Latin Pop is a certified international Megastar. One of the world’s biggest stars at the turn of the millennium and of the music video generation, Martin has electrified the world with smash hits like Livin’ La Vida Loca, She Bangs, The Cup of Life, Shake Your Bon-Bon and more, not to mention his adored Spanish-language catalog of hits!

Martin just wrapped a two night stint at Scotiabank Theatre with tour Co-headliner Enrique Iglesias, bringing the audience to their feet, each taking an hour slot to deliver their English and Spanish hits! The Show was the first to welcome audiences back to the venue since the Pandemic.

We are so delighted to catch Martin who was heading-out to his show, rolling-down his window for a masked Selfie! He is so amazing and we’ve loved him forever now! While we didn’t get to attend this Tour sadly (we love Enrique too!), we had such a blast at his Casino Rama show back in 2011. He is mesmerizing and brings so much energy to his shows!

The Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin Live in Concert Tour kicked-off in Las Vegas late September, and heads next to Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Some Snaps:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#INTERVIEW: JUSTIN GRAY ON MARIAH CAREY’S NEW SINGLE “ALMOST HOME” | VIDEO PREMIERE

2013’s first massive Blockbuster comes in the shape of Oz The Great and Powerful and with its release right before us, accompanying this Prequel to The Wizard of Oz  is a powerful Promotional Single performed by none other than Mariah Carey. Making a Track worthy of that Film’s iconic legacy was by no means an easy task. It actually is the result of several great Musical Minds, including Carey herself, Mega-Producers Stargate (Rihanna, Ne-Yo), Simone Porter, Lindsey Ray and Canada’s own Justin Gray, whom I had the pleasure of chatting with about the making of what  could be a Contender at next year’s Oscars in the Category for Original Song, won recently by Adele for Skyfall. I mean by name association itself, James Franco‘s Oscar/Oz Character already has the prestigious Award written allover it, right?

Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, success certainly didn’t just come over tonight for 17-time JUNO Award Winner Gray.  14 years into his successful career, he finally has the chance to write with a Megastar like Carey, absolutely shocked to be gifted the opportunity.  “We never in a dream world considered Mariah Carey would do it” he says, “She interpreted what we had started with and turned it into Almost Home, a beautiful piece of Art and Pop Music.”.

This is not to say that Gray has worked with a roster of Unknowns all this time.  After moving to London, England with his Wife, he padded his lofty Résumé working with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Emma Bunton (Spice Girls), before deciding ultimately to relocate to Los Angeles in 2007.  He recalls, “I sorta thought  to myself I really wanna be in L.A. and I’ve been coming here quite a bit.  Finally I convinced my Wife, telling her ‘Let’s try it and see what happens!'”.  Since then, he hasn’t looked back and appears to be on the verge of what looks to be a Career Pinnacle.

On working with Carey, Gray silences the Diva rumours, telling me she definitely takes a hands-on approach with  Writing, stating “She was very involved. Unfortunately the way that everybody’s schedule aligned, it was hard for all involved to be in the same place at the same time. She was in New York, shooting Idol, she was super busy and we were all busy.”.   Being on two coasts, I ask logistically how Almost Home was composed and he explains, “We would collaborate often via E-mail, through her Management sending MP3s and Lyrics back and forth.  She would cut Vocals and send it back.  Although I wish we were always in a room together, it really still was a very equal Collaboration.”.

Being physically in the U.S. hasn’t severed Gray‘s roots with his native Canada.  His memories of growing-up here are fond ones with him listening to an eclectic mix of Top 40 Radio, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and  Buddy Holly, the latter thanks to his1950s-obsessed Father.   In addition to playing an instrumental role in 98°‘s Comeback this year penning their upcoming Single, we also can expect to hear new work with Enrique Iglesias and John Legend,  plus Canadian Talent including Victoria Duffield, whom we chat with last year.  He tells us also to look out for Island/Def Jam emerging Artist Smokey Jones, whom he is working with closely.

Listen to my complete interview with Gray below:

See the brand new Video for Almost Home below:

Almost Home is available now on iTunes.  Buy it here.

Oz The Great and Powerful is in theatres Friday, March 8, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Justin Gray/Universal Music/Warner Music Canada)