Behind the Music ….

The Blades family name has become one that is synonymous with iconic music and legends. Born in Panama as Robert Blades Bellido De Luna. The son of Cuban musician and actress Anoland Díaz (real surname Bellido de Luna), and Colombian Rubén Darío Blades, Sr., an athlete, percussionist and graduate of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in Washington, D.C. The Blades household was musically inclined as Father, Ruben Blades, played bongos and his Mother, Anoland Blades sang and played piano. His oldest brother Luis was a percussionist and Ruben Blades Jr a singer and writer.

Robert Blades, began his career in the music industry at 17 yrs old in 1981 touring with the salsa group Inmensidad, leading him to sign with the record label Fania as a singer and songwriter for 10 years. Inmensidad, topped the charts with "Lágrimas" and "Ya No Regreso Contigo" soon after. In contrast with his brother Rubén, much of his success has been writing, producing, and arranging music for other artists. Through hard work and discipline he became one of the most sought-after songwriters in Latin music of that decade. "I didn't pursue music; it pursued me," Blades has stated, remembering the time when a music teacher from Tallahassee met with his parents, telling them he could learn more in a day than most students could in a year.

An icon in Panama and admired throughout Latin America and Europe. One of Blades' most unique characteristics is the way he composes new songs; he simply hears the song in his head as if he was listening to the radio - lyrics, melody, instrumentation, and arrangement. In 1992 Blades signed with Emilio Estefan Enterprises as a writer and producer - co-writing 7 of the 15 songs on the album “Alma Caribeña”. His tenure at Estefan Enterprises led to two Grammys : songwriter of Marc Anthony's smash hit "Dimelo (I Need To Know)" and the other as producer of Gloria Estefan's "Alma Caribena." and wrote many #1 Latin singles. Named BMI's Songwriter of the Year at the 2001 Latin Awards in Los Angeles. His debut album, Tempestad, was released in 1986, followed by his second production, Viviendo, the next year. His third album, Encore, was released in 2001 winning him a Grammy for Best Salsa Album. He has worked with Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Alejandro Fernández and Thalía, to mention a few. In 1997 Blades signed a contract with EMI Latin. His most popular songs are "Ya No Regreso Contigo", "Lagrimas", "Poquita Fe", "Casco", "Detalles", "El Artista Famoso", "Victima de Afecto", "Flor Dormida" and "Si Estuvieras Conmigo" among many more.

Currently living in Miami, Florida, Blades has formed “Red Planet Productions” and continues to tour and write new music. 2020 marks his latest release, “Por Que” now available and streaming.