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Ruben Blades

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (July 16, 1948- )
    Born in Panama City, Panama
    Latin jazz/samba singer and songwriter
    Recorded the albums 'Siembra' (with Willie Colon, 1978), 'Buscando America' (1984), 'Escenas' (1985), 'Crossover Dreams' (1986), 'Nothing But the Truth' (1988), 'Amor y Control' (1992), 'Rosa de los Vientos' (1996), 'Tiempos' (1999), 'Mundo' (2002), 'Tangos' (2014), and 'Salsa Big Band' (with Roberto Delgado, 2017)
    Appeared in the films 'Crossover Dreams' (1985), 'The Milagro Beanfield War' (1988), 'The Two Jakes' (1990), 'Predator 2' (1990), 'Color of Night' (1994), 'Cradle Will Rock' (1999), 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' (2003), 'Safe House' (2012), and 'Hands of Stone' (2016)
    Portrayed Daniel Salazar in 'Fear the Walking Dead'
    Won nine Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammys (through 2019)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was an attorney for the Bank of Panama before emigrating to New York City to become a singer.
    He ran unsuccessfully for President of Panama (1994).
    He portrayed the lead in Paul Simon's flop Broadway musical 'The Capeman.' (1997)

Why he might not be annoying:

    He wrote Hector Lavoe's signature song 'El Cantante.'
    His collaboration with Willie Colon, 'Siembra,' was the best-selling salsa album of all-time, with worldwide sales of 25 million.
    As an actor, he turned down several roles he felt stereotyped Latinos, such as a drug dealer on Miami Vice.
    He earned a masters degree in international law from Harvard.
    He was appointed Panamanian Minister of Tourism (2004).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying