Ruben Blades is a Panamanian singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his innovative approach to salsa music. His music is marked by socially conscious lyrics that often tell stories about everyday life, a style that earned him the nickname "the poet of salsa." Blades' 1984 album "Buscando América" is considered a seminal work in the Latin music genre, highlighting issues of social justice and political corruption. His collaborations with Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe have also significantly influenced the course of Latin music.