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

Quote by Ruben Blades

Topics: Ruben Blades Quotes

And, he'd seen me in Panama, and he talked about maybe doing something in New...

And, he'd seen me in Panama, and he talked about maybe doing something in New...

Every band had their own distinctive sound, but it was pretty much dancing music and...

Every band had their own distinctive sound, but it was pretty much dancing music and...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

I decided we should book ourselves, so I started booking the band.

I decided we should book ourselves, so I started booking the band.

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.

They're making a ton of money, and no one is getting a nickel.

They're making a ton of money, and no one is getting a nickel.

I was born in Panama, the Republic of Panama, on July 16, 1948 in Panama...

I was born in Panama, the Republic of Panama, on July 16, 1948 in Panama...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

It was very interesting, and we went to Germany and we toured Germany like we...

It was very interesting, and we went to Germany and we toured Germany like we...