A lot of times you're just conditioned by what's around you.

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

It doesn't make sense for me to be a lawyer in a place where there...

It doesn't make sense for me to be a lawyer in a place where there...

In those days the big U.S. labels didn't have any particular interest in the Latin...

In those days the big U.S. labels didn't have any particular interest in the Latin...

People are a lot smarter than anyone gives them credit for being.

People are a lot smarter than anyone gives them credit for being.

So that in 1974, when I graduated as a lawyer, I figured I'm not going...

So that in 1974, when I graduated as a lawyer, I figured I'm not going...

You know, it was uncomfortable doing the same thing. I don't like a rut.

You know, it was uncomfortable doing the same thing. I don't like a rut.

So I went to Miami in '74 with my family and while I was there...

So I went to Miami in '74 with my family and while I was there...

Yes, I was going to law school and it was closed in '69.

Yes, I was going to law school and it was closed in '69.

So everything that ever happened, we knew about in Panama.

So everything that ever happened, we knew about in Panama.

So that I saw music as a way of documenting realities from the urban cities...

So that I saw music as a way of documenting realities from the urban cities...

What is interesting in this is the exchange of music that occurred between New Orleans...

What is interesting in this is the exchange of music that occurred between New Orleans...

So that when I came from Panama... my family was exiled in 1973 and they...

So that when I came from Panama... my family was exiled in 1973 and they...

I didn't do drugs, I never did do drugs. Never. I don't have any story...

I didn't do drugs, I never did do drugs. Never. I don't have any story...

I was the first person to come into New York with a Latin American point...

I was the first person to come into New York with a Latin American point...

There was no television, so the radio provided you with everything.

There was no television, so the radio provided you with everything.

We had something to say. Whenever we played, people didn't dance, they listened.

We had something to say. Whenever we played, people didn't dance, they listened.

And music was a very important part of our lives. The radio was on all...

And music was a very important part of our lives. The radio was on all...

I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.

I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.

It's almost as if people think that in Latin America we're not hip to what's...

It's almost as if people think that in Latin America we're not hip to what's...

So that when I came to New York again, it was, I'm not too sure...

So that when I came to New York again, it was, I'm not too sure...

But, when I was about thirteen, I began to sort of sing in my neighborhood.

But, when I was about thirteen, I began to sort of sing in my neighborhood.