American Popstars Sing in Spanish Wednesday July 25, 2001 Should we start calling the Backstreet Boys, the Backstreet Ninos? What’s up with these All - Americans leaping to the Latin side? It's no different than, say, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias crossing over so successfully from Latin to English. This trend is conquering a whole other world!

Bruno del Granado helps run the Latin side of Madonna's record label, Maverick. He and his boss know the benefits of recording a song or two in Spanish. He says, "I think it first started as a marketing tool. It helped expose the music to a new audience and an audience that might not necessarily be into it."

While groups like N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys sell plenty of records, they increase their sales in the Latin community when they sing their sultry songs in Spanish.

Jose Tillan, one of MTV Latin America's head honchos, says because the Latin audience is poised to become the largest minority in this country, Americans singing in Spanish is simply smart business. He says, "These are superstars, pop superstars that have chosen to do songs in Spanish to appeal to a Latin American culture. It's an important crowd that buys a lot of records. They're music friendly, and there is just a market that shouldn't be ignored. That's just dollars and cents."

Christina Aguilera is also cashing in on her Hispanic roots by treating her fans to Latin versions of some of her big hits. And by the way, all these talented artists are not over dubbed in their videos; they're singing the real Latin deal. And the Latinos seem to love it.

Bruno del Granado says, "When it's done the right way, when an Anglo artist sings their song in Spanish like N’Sync, it's flattering."