Ruben Blades

Ruben Blades is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, actor, musician and another long list of things. He mostly performs Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres of music. He has composed several musical hits during his career, he also composed the 'Patria' song which Panamanians consider their second national anthem, which is quite a feat for any musician. He is adored throughout Spain and Panama. In 2004 he was actually made the minister of tourism by the Panamanian president, but that was actually after failing to win his attempt at the Panamanian presidency himself in 1994. He's had quite the career outside of singing, including getting an international law degree from Harvard University. Music however seems to be in his blood as his mother was a Cuban musician and an actress, his father was also a percussionist for part of his life, he even went on to marry the singer Luba Mason. His music is foreign so rather difficult to understand, but he has a great voice and often performs with a live band behind him that makes his live shows a big production that sticks in your mind. He has gained a lot of loyal fans and I believe he will continue to do well in his home country. But due to the language barriers it will stop him from becoming well known in the UK.