Ricky Martin - The Cup Of Life Live Grammy 1999

February 24, 1999

[RhondaA]

Who's still here in 2024 watching this Grammy masterwork?

[johnc.]

I remember seeing this live on tv and thinking, “WOW!”
I’ve seen so many “greatest Grammy performance” lists and still can’t believe that this one isn’t on ANY of them. Ricky Martin SHOCKED main stream USA and paved the way for the latin pop music explosion of the 2000s with this performance.
The audience was stunned (and confused) by the performance and pageantry…and the day after, Ricky was booked on many talk shows in the US for the first time ( I believe). Greatest overlooked performance EVER. (To date…in my humble opinion.)
Cheers and Rock On!

Thank you for finding this gem.

[ahernandez]

A stunned, mostly white, American audience didn't realize what hit them until the end. A gorgeous man, with a great voice and a hot body, was moving his hips in ways they'd never seen, and singing in two languages in ways they'd never heard, on such a big stage. It was a song most of them had never heard. The performance represented a category most of them didn't think too much about. But when it was over, their standing ovation spoke volumes and immediately began to echo through space and time. For Latin artists performing thereafter, audiences expected this sort of energy and passion and usually got it, ushering in a modern golden age for Latinx performers. Even Jennifer Lopez owes a lot to Ricky and this performance. As a Latinx performer she was mostly known for Selena and other acting roles. This night and this performance added a new dimension to who JLo was and it helped catapult her to even greater stardom through music. The following year, all eyes were on JLo as a popular Latinx performer, and that's when she broke the internet in the Versace dress. The following year, her second album "JLo" went to Number One. We remember the dress, but I wonder what happened to those leather pants Ricky wore. They should've been cast in bronze.

[MarciaSantos-oxfk]

First Latin artist to get a standing ovation at the Grammys …amazing performance ❤

[paniagua]

This performance changed the game... You're welcome bad bunny

[dobazajr]

After this performance Ricky became a global superstar. Even Madonna was crazy over him and had a picture sessions with him at the backstage.

[gnelj]

Best performance of his life. He had the charisma, the moves, the props, the energy…It was really entertaining

[BellaWorldAni]

It only took the entire performance for the zombies in that dead audience to recognize genius and come to life. The most well deserved standing O ever.

[Papershoesintherain]

🔥🔥🔥killed it! That audience didn’t know what hit ‘em! Single handedly ushered in the Latin Music invasion of the late 90s early 2000s!

[himmel]

the best world cup theme song in lifetime and the most suitable one for the event

[cuteesiv]

I remember watching this live and was like "WOW"! It was like an explosion! Incredible. Agree it should be top 10 Grammy performance of all time. Definitely best opener ever!

[edward]

Absolutely killed it. That’s when everyone found out Ricky Martin was the best performer in the world

[juliaishimbaeva]

He is so young here, only 26 or something, but so confident...
What a performer 🤩

[NotSteve]

JLo should’ve been the first one standing. Iconic performances only happen when we least expect them. She should’ve taken notes.

[Baladas_s]

To anybody reading this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and the doubt exit your mind may clarity replace confusion. may peace and calmness fill your life.

[gingakaninay]

How was the audience able to SIT through this performance? I would be on my feet within seconds of him singing!

[kitty]

One of the great musical moments in Grammy history!!Hooray to R.M.!!

[fotisboys]

Seriously he's the perfect male creation. I'm straight as they come but mate ide die to look like him ..

[juliedibiase]

When the hairs on my arms stand up I know it's an amazing performance. The hairs still havent gone down since I watched this live on TV when he first performed it. It's still my favorite live performance of all time. Every once in a while I have to go back and watch it. Bravo!❤🎉❤🕺💃

[davey]

I have a friend who worked at Sony records who was there that night. He told me that T.V. didn't show even half of Ricky's dancing. The director should have spent less time on the background and more focused on Ricky.