THE NEXT RICKY MARTIN? DE LA HOYA TO BE RECORDING STAR?

          Oscar De La Hoya "is adding recording star to his
     resume" and has signed a multimillion-dollar, multi-year
     recording contract with EMI Latin, according to Adam Sandler
     of DAILY VARIETY.  The deal, which also includes a joint-
     venture component, "is a major coup for the label."  There
     has been "a spirited bidding war" for De La Hoya ever since
     he sang last year on a Spanish-language talk show, and he
     has recently been receiving vocal instruction from Seth
     Riggs, who has helped several big-name artists.  Sources say
     that the deal, which was completed Monday, will include both
     Spanish- and English-language albums (DAILY VARIETY, 6/23).