The Father of the Latin Explosion

Shakira was a great cross over because, you know, ricki was protorikan. Shakita was columbia. She had to learn english just to make the american album. So then tommy matola. Is it fair to say that he is the father of the latin explosion, if there is one? Looking back on it now, 20 years later, is crossover in that way as admirable of a goal? It's changed hugely.