Martin has achieved worldwide success, starting with his selection to substitute Ricky Melendez in Menudo in 1983 until 1990. His meteoric ascent to fame started in his hometown, Caguas, site of his first concert. He signed Sony in 1990.
It continued after he left Menudo, when he moved to Mexico and participated in soap operas like Alcanzar Una Estrella II and in the music group Munecos De Papel. Later, in Hollywood he participated in General Hospital.
Ricky established himself in Miami and connected with music creator Desmond Child and Puerto Rican agent Angelo Medina. With these 2 in tow, Ricky created hits like "Maria", "The Cup Of Life", and "Livin' La Vida Loca". He sang "The Cup Of Life" during a World Cup transmission that gave him worldwide exposure, but it was "Livin' La Vida Loca" that propelled him to the minds of all teenaged girls around the world and into the covers of Tiger Beat and all other major teen magazines world wide.
Ricky was chosen, along with Felix Trinidad in 1999, to lead Puerto Rico's worldwide tourism campaign, both exemplifying Puerto Rico's youthfulness, enthusiasm and never give up character.
Martin has also teamed up with former Menudo bandmate Draco Cornelio Rosa (see: Robby Rosa) who has written many of Ricky's hits. He recently adopted three little girls from India.
In 2003, Martin announced he and his agent Angelo Medina have parted ways.