Rubén Blades
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For










Credits
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Salsa Lives 2025Ruben Blades★ NR
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Self★ 7.3
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Self - Singer★ 8
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Self (archive footage)★ 8
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Red Pill 2021Rocky★ 6
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Self★ NR
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Self★ 7.5
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Self★ 6.4
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Hands of Stone 2016Carlos Eleta★ 6.6
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Daniel Salazar★ 7.7
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Yo soy la salsa 2014★ NR
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Invasion 2014Self★ 7.3
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The Counselor 2013Jefe★ 5.3
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Président Calles★ 6.7
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Safe House 2012Carlos Villar★ 6.5
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★ 8
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Self★ NR
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The Next Season 2011Benito★ NR
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★ 5.2
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★ 5.2
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Spoken Word 2009Cruz-Sr.★ 6.2
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La clave 2008★ NR
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Self★ 1
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Self (archive footage)★ 6
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En mi país 2004Rubén Blades★ 9
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Secuestro Express 2004Carla's Father★ 6.5
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Spin 2003Ernesto★ 6
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Imagining Argentina 2003Silvio Ayala★ 5.6
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Jorge, Retired FBI Agent★ 6.3
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Assassination Tango 2003Miguel★ 5.2
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Cruz★ 4.7
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Encuentro 2002★ NR
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Self★ 6
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Rocha★ 5.7
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Gideon's Crossing 2000Dr. Max Cabranes★ 6
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Latin Grammy Awards 2000Self★ 7
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Cradle Will Rock 1999Diego Rivera★ 6.5
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Rubén Blades★ NR
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Chinese Box 1997Jim★ 5.9
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Arthouse 1997Self★ NR
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From Son to Salsa 1997★ NR
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The Devil's Own 1997Officer Edwin Diaz★ 6.2
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Scorpion Spring 1996Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa★ 7.2
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Somos un solo pueblo 1995Self★ NR
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Color of Night 1994Hector★ 5.7
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A Million to Juan 1994Bartender★ 5.4
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The X-Files 1993Conrad Lozano★ 8.4
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Pastor Beruman★ 4.7
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The Super 1991Marlon★ 5.9
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Narrator (voice)★ NR
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Crazy From the Heart 1991Ernesto Ontiveros★ 3.8
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One Man’s War 1991Perrone★ 6.8
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Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino★ 6.5
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Predator 2 1990Danny Archuleta★ 6.3
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The Two Jakes 1990Mickey Nice★ 6
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Mo' Better Blues 1990Petey★ 6.5
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★ NR
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The Lemon Sisters 1989C.W.★ 4.6
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Disorganized Crime 1989Carlos Barrios★ 5.4
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Dead Man Out 1989Ben★ 7.2
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Homeboy 1988Doctor★ 5
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Sheriff Bernabe Montoya★ 6.5
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Fatal Beauty 1987Carl Jimenez★ 5.5
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Critical Condition 1987Louis★ 5.5
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himself★ NR
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Crossover Dreams 1985Rudy Veloz★ 5.7
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Self★ NR
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The Last Fight 1983Andy "Kid" Clave★ 4.4
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Self★ NR