Rubén Blades, Willie Colón

Rubén Blades is one of the most successful vocalists and songwriters in Panamanian music and salsa history. A prolific recording artist, actor, activist, and politician, he wove the poetic sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova into his lyrics and introduced experimental tempos to salsa. With Willie Colón's band, he wrote classic songs including "Pedro Navaja" and "El Cantante." 1978's Siembra and 1979's Bohemio y Poeta were hits offering uncharacteristically politically charged lyrics alongside hyper-modern charts. 1984's Buscando América with ...