OH SNAP — Guess where the only place you can buy the deluxe version of Musica + Alma + Sexo (featuring seven exclusive tracks) is? Yup, Target, the company that believes gays to be so meaningless it works to elect viciously anti-gay candidates and then refuses to make up for it. Ricky Martin performed for at Target’s launch party — and appeared on the red carpet with John Butcher, the company’s VP of entertainment — on Wednesday night at NYC’s Highline Ballroom. Traitor?
Screaming Queen
WHO?
christopher di spirito
Ricky Martin knows his audience demographics: suburban women who get aroused by his voice and gyrations so what better place to sell his sucky CD but where they shop?
Eric
Get over it Queerty.
jason
Ricky Martin is a vile little twerp who pretended to be heterosexual while he was having hits and making money. No doubt, he was the product of the homophobic music industry, an industry which insists that all male singers are heterosexual in image.
Remember “She Bangs”? Dear, dear Ricky. You really scraped the bottom of the pandering barrel with that one.
Soupy
Jason, please remember that you are a severe obsessive paranoic and that there are medications that can help you.
jason
Soupy,
I don’t care about you. I’m here commenting on the topic at hand, not other posters.
Stop wasting queerty’s bandwidth with your personal asides. This isn’t your playground.
MuffinMan21
Maybe Ricky Martin just isn’t familiar with the issue?
edgyguy1426
Ooops too late, already bought it
Thomas Marx
I’d like to cash in on Ricky Martin’s target.
Thomas Marx
What, like you weren’t thinking the same thing?
MM
Traitor?
Have you lost your mind?
justiceontherocks
Is he the guy Clay Aiken is dating?
Musica + Alma + Sexo launch party
[img]http://i56.tinypic.com/2ir9grd.jpg[/img]
Musica + Alma + Sexo review
In the past, Martin hasn’t exactly released the strongest albums. The Puerto Rican singer’s ventures into English-language music has been spotty at best, but from “Livin’ La Vida Loca” to “She Bangs” Martin has had his share of hits, but it is his Spanish-language albums that prove that he is capable of much more. Now returning with his first studio album in six years, Martin seems to be a stronger, more confident artist than ever.
…
Perhaps Ricky Martin’s most solid effort to date, Musica + Alma + Sexo delivers all three and much more. Unlike his peers, Martin has managed to use the new electronica/pop to his advantage by adding chilling production, haunting melodies and clever lyrics. Never does the singer get lost in the production as other have (Enrique Iglesias quickly comes to mind). Life, Martin’s 2005’s venture into the hip-hop sound didn’t exactly connect with his audience, but it seems that now, more than ever, Martin is comfortable in his musical skin.
http://www.examiner.com/music-in-atlanta/one-album-atlanta-should-own-ricky-martin-s-musica-alma-sexo-review
Husky
I wasn’t likely to buy the album to begin with, even less likely now.
Gigi
@Musica + Alma + Sexo launch party: That’s a vile picture, even for Ricky!
Gigi
Maybe Chick-Fil-A could do a La Bomba sandwich in his honor!
Riker
Try as I might, I just can’t manage to feel outraged that Martin’s record label is doing business with a company that is very good to their gay employees.
some gays are vile
@Riker: Thank God for gays like you, people who don’t feel the need to trash and wish bad to openly gay celebrities.
matt
got to agree with most of yall – Ricky won’t get my $’s via the mongers at Target… I’ll wait till it is at the used CD store next week (then neither Target nor Ricky get a buck for the CD resale)… There is no way this guy did not know he was hugging the same ones stabbing the gay community in the back!
Paul
It’s called business boys.
Brian Miller
The only people who think that Target is “anti-gay” are partisan Democrat hypocrites who rage against Republicans who supported DOMA while campaigning for Barack Obama (who favors the continued ban on marriage equality) and Joe Biden (who voted for DOMA in the Senate).
Gigi
@Brian Miller
Obama is for marriage equality but ours is a nation in a headlock by the Chrisitianists. If Obama had campaigned on a platform that supported marriage equality he would not have been elected. Period. Am I happy that he altered his opinion on marriage equality just so that he could get elected? No! But that’s the sorry state of affairs in this grand old country of ours.
What are my thoughts on Ricky’s little arrangement with Target? I’d like to wait until he speaks out about the situation before I decide. I must say that I’m not surprised that the bulk of Target’s campaign contributions have gone to Republicans as they are the one pushing to lower taxes on big corporations which, in the end, would increase their profits.
what?
“Obama is for marriage equality”
That is a lie.
hephaestion
The benefit of having a major gay star getting extra publicity in middle America far outweighs the benefits of taking a stand against Target’s hatemongering in Minnesota. I support Ricky here because he donates a great deal of money to very important causes. Now some of Target’s money will serve good causes, and Ricky will spread the word nationwide that gays can get huge commercial endorsements.
justiceontherocks
@Gigi: You must be from the Psychic Friends Network to know that Obama believes in marriage equality when he has said a bazillion times that marriage is between a man and a woman.
@hephaestion: Major star? Huge commercial endorsement?? I don’t think so.
Press
Target’s past music partnerships include artists such as Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Enrique Iglesias, The Black Eyed Peas, Prince and Pearl Jam.
The partnership with Ricky Martin continues Target’s tradition of providing a platform for artists who have made a lasting impression in the entertainment industry.
Jax
I would just like to point out that whether you are a fan or not trying to turn Ricky into a Pariah for something doesn’t help anything. While you sit behind a keyboard and try and rip him apart why don’t you start looking at the good points he did; publicly coming out and adding another voice to the chorus for us in the mainstream media. It does noone any good to bitch and complain when frankly i see few if any other celebrities of his stature seeking to do the same. Since his announcement he has been very vocal about his beliefs in human rights. Please take that into account when trying to spit venom. I am not his biggest fan musically but he has been trying. Remember he is not a politician. he didn’t have to come out. he did not have to do half of the things he did, but he did them so why don’t those who sit and criticize get up and do something positive for the community.
MM
@Jax: One more good thing about Ricky (unlike Adam Lambert, Neil Patrick Harris or Johnny Weir):
On being a voice in the gay community.
“There’s no pressure from anybody. It’s something I feel really good about doing. I have been an activist for human rights for many years. Today, I’m in touch with who I am and I have the opportunity to be in front of a camera and talk to millions of people. After I wrote the book and went on Oprah Winfrey, so many people have come to me, telling me, ‘Ricky, thank you because I understand what acceptance is today.’ ‘Ricky, thank you. I feel better about myself because you have a very beautiful family and the words ‘dysfunctional family’ don’t exist in your life.'”
afrolito
Ricky is hot, but only in an alternate universe is he a major star. That ship sails years ago. Whether his cd is sold at Target or Wallmart, it’ll be DOA on the charts.
It also sucks, like most of his English language records.
New York Times review
Ricky Martin’s “Música + Alma + Sexo” (“Music + Soul + Sex”)
…
Mr. Martin is a pop star before he’s a crusader, and he’s clearly determined to reach a wide audience, both Spanish- and English-speaking. The sentiments in his new songs are open ended enough to double as self-affirmations for anyone feeling like an outsider. He’s still a gutsy, emotive singer, and the music strives to be up to the minute.
Mr. Martin wrote the songs with his longtime producer, Desmond Child, the pop song doctor who collaborated on “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and many other Martin songs. They favor full-bodied arrangements that make big dramatic payoffs out of their hooks in power ballads like “Basta Ya,” “Tu y Yo” (“You and I”) and “Te Busco y Te Alcanzo” (“I’ll Seek You and I’ll Find You”).
…
The album pours on pop craftsmanship in a show of confidence and pride. It will test how Mr. Martin’s mass audience can handle his new openness.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/arts/music/01choice.html
New York Times
This week on Popcast, The Times’s weekly music podcast, Jon Pareles reviews Ricky Martin’s “Música + Alma + Sexo” (“Music + Soul + Sex”), his first album since coming out of the closet.
“In some ways it’s a typical Ricky Martin album: it still aims for that big pop audience, with big, radio-friendly productions and dance beats and hooks hooks hooks,” Jon Pareles says in the conversation. “But what he’s singing has changed. He’s openly singing about coming out, and he’s singing about it in a way that he hopes everybody that feels dispossessed can identify with.”
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/popcast-ricky-martins-new-album-and-a-look-back-at-totico/
Mark
I am not happy. I don’t want to bash him but I don’t want to encourage him either. Ms. Rosie O’Donnell did the same thing years ago. She sat quietly by the side while amassing a fortune off the hetero community. When she finally came out and there was some heat she turned to “teh gays” for support.
When Ricky wants (and he will need it in the future) some support from out community this will be an example of why I will turn a deaf ear.
He knows the Target situation. He has twins and lives in Miami. The thing I miss most about shopping @Target is the baby section. He knows.
Jon
Are you really surprised? This is the same man who performed at George W. Bush’s inaguration 10 years ago even though EVERYONE knew how anti-gay Bush is. Mr. Martin will do anything for a buck. He’s pathetic.
nice try, Jon!
2007
“Although he performed at the 2001 inauguration ball, Latin singer Ricky Martin has gone from a supporter of President George W. Bush to giving him the middle finger during a performance of “Asignatura Pendiente” at a concert in San Juan stadium last Friday.
Martin, 35, did the gesture as he performed the song (which includes lyrics “a photo with Bush”) and promptly received cheers and applauds from his fans. The singer issued a statement to The Associated Press (through a spokesman) explaining his “convictions of peace and life go beyond any government and political agenda and as long as I have a voice onstage and offstage, I will always condemn war and those who promulgate it.”
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/music/news/article_1264761.php/Ricky_Martin_explains_giving_Bush_the_finger
2008
“These elections will have historic repercussions both in the United States and the world. Senator Clinton has always been consistent in her commitment with the needs of the Latino community. Whether fighting for better education, universal health care and social well-being, as First Lady and Senator from New York — representing millions of Latinos —she has always fought for what is most important for our families,” said the 5-time Grammy award winning artist.
“I am honored to have Ricky Martin’s support,” said Senator Clinton. “In addition to his great talent, Ricky is committed to improving the world through his philanthropic work, and I am grateful for his support. He is a very important voice in the Latino community and together we will work to improve the lives of families and children across the country.”
http://www.observer.com/2008/ricky-martin-endorses-hillary-clinton
To #35
That drivel you posted doesn’t change the facts: he knew damn well that he performing for a homophobic, anti-gay man. He could have easily turned the invite down, but he wanted to ride that last few seconds of popularity out. Sad.
And I won’t be buying this garbage – nothing to do with his Target deal, but simply because his music sucks.
Oh, and that Michael Jackson crotch grab looks so lame.
icelus
If Mr. Martin decides to don his snug-fitting leather pants again, I’ll forgive him for anything!
To #36
Celebrities who supported Obama knew that he’s against marriage equality – do you trash them?
You don’t have a problem with Martin performing for American President or his music, you have a problem with self loathing.
Insider Talk: Being Gay at Target
Feb 16, 2011
Daniel Duty is the Director of Enterprise Strategy at Target. In 1992, Duty was appointed by Target’s CEO as a co-sponsor of the company’s LGBT business council. Duty provides an insider’s perspective on being gay at Target and how the company overcame public and media backlash for supporting a candidate that opposed gay rights.
What is it like to be gay at Target? What is the general attitude towards LGBT people?
Duty: It’s funny that you ask that question. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else as a gay person. I’ve had a fantastic career here for the last 10 years. I started many, many pay grades below where I am today. Target has been nothing but supportive of me and my career. As an out gay man who has been advocating very intentionally both inside and outside the company for inclusiveness, the only things that I’ve gotten back from Target are praise, reward, and support. And you could hear that story from people across this company, because I talk to them all the time.
http://dot429.com/articles/2011/02/15/insider-talk-being-gay-at-target
justiceontherocks
@Insider Talk: Being Gay at Target: What’s your point? You can always find people who support organizations that work against them. Everyone says nice things about their employer. The heat is on so they trot out a token. BFD.
ewe
I am very torn between Targets donations to homophobes and Target paying my entrance fee every friday night at MOMA.