Rubén Blades, the 77-year-old Panamanian salsa legend with 25 Grammy awards, is set to perform at the Roundhouse in London on 8 July with the Roberto Delgado Big Band. In a recent interview, he reflected on his multifaceted career as a musician, actor, Harvard law graduate, and former Panama tourism minister.
Early Life and Musical Influences
Blades grew up in San Felipe, the neglected heart of Panama City, as the son of a Colombian-born detective and a Cuban-born actress. He credits his grandmother Emma, a teacher, for his literary streak: “She pushed me to educate myself. She would tell me, ‘We’re not poor. We just don’t have money. You can have money but still be poor if you don’t know anything.’”
His early songwriting broke from salsa norms by addressing crime and violence, inspired by hearing Mack the Knife from The Threepenny Opera. After his father was falsely accused of spying for the CIA by Panama’s military leader Manuel Noriega, the family moved to the US. Blades worked in the mailroom at Fania Records, where he met Willie Colón and reshaped salsa with social commentary and danceable rhythms.
Acting and Politics
Blades has appeared in over 40 films, including The Two Jakes with Jack Nicholson, Fear the Walking Dead, and the upcoming Campeón Gabacho. He never trained formally: “Reading helps. It lets you imagine situations.” He ran for president of Panama in 1994, coming third, and served as tourism minister from 2004 to 2009. He holds a Harvard law degree, which he calls “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Views on Immigration and Politics
Blades spoke with lawyerly precision on immigration: “When we come to London to play, we’ll have visas.” He condemned deporting those who arrived as children and called the killings of protestors by ICE agents “murder.” He described Donald Trump as a “narcissistic charlatan who wants to destroy democracy and become an emperor,” but added, “I don’t think the United States is going to descend into total fascism. The judiciary is still strong.”
He is wary of celebrity politics but acknowledges its power, citing Bad Bunny’s influence on young voters. “Not every artist is qualified to enter politics – you need education. You need serious people around you,” Blades said.
Salsa’s Enduring Appeal
For Blades, salsa’s strength lies in human connection: “In this alienating world, salsa has an advantage over other musical forms: contact. You must touch another person. You have to work together.” He added with a smile, “Imagine that.”
