Panamanian singer/songwriter Rubén Blades, one of salsa’s most influential voices, spoke on Wednesday, October 21, during the Icon Q&A With Rubén Blades panel at Billboard Latin Music Week. The session was moderated by Leila Cobo, Billboard’s co-chief content officer.
Blades said he sees himself more as a journalist, one who tries to be as objective as possible within the subjectivity of creating a song. “What I wrote was honest and I still feel that way,” he said. He described his contribution as believing that music did not necessarily have to address the same themes, such as betrayal by a woman or a friend, but could go beyond them.
A central figure in New York City’s salsa movement of the 1970s, Blades expanded classic Afro-Cuban salsa with influences from rock, jazz, Pan-Latin music and sounds from other parts of the world. His songs include “Pedro Navaja,” “Decisiones” and “El Padre Antonio y Su Monaguillo Andrés.”
At 78, Blades remains active in music and acting. He appeared in the film Campeón Gabacho by Jonás Cuarón and has an upcoming role in Porto Rico, the first fiction feature directed by René Pérez (Residente), which also marks Bad Bunny’s debut as a lead actor. Blades did not disclose details of his role.
Blades also spoke about the last time he met his former collaborator Willie Colón, who died on February 21, 2023. The two had a long-standing dispute over the Siembra 25 Años concert (2003) and the related master rights. Blades said they last met in 2023 at the wake of musician Jorge “Georgie” González, and that the meeting was cordial.
Blades will receive the Billboard Icon Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, broadcast live on Telemundo from Miami on Thursday, October 22. The award recognizes an artist whose career has remained relevant over time and who has achieved both musical and commercial success.
Source: Billboard
