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

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 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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

What I do not accept is the fact that so many people's talents were ripped...

What I do not accept is the fact that so many people's talents were ripped...

I think in New York we had respect and we would pretty much fill up...

I think in New York we had respect and we would pretty much fill up...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

Anywhere you had a commerce center, you had a lot of music.

Anywhere you had a commerce center, you had a lot of music.

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

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