Which Panamanian singer wrote the lyrics for 'El Cantante'?

The Panamanian singer who wrote the lyrics for “El Cantante” was Rubén Blades. Héctor Lavoe made the song famous, but Blades was its songwriter.

Blades wrote “El Cantante” in 1978. Willie Colón, who produced the recording, persuaded Blades to give the song to Lavoe, whose nickname was already “El Cantante de los Cantantes,” or “the singer of singers.” Lavoe recorded it that same year.

The song became Lavoe’s signature recording and the lead single from his album Comedia. Its lyrics portray the public performer as someone who sings through personal hardship, a theme that resonated strongly with Lavoe’s own turbulent life and stage persona.

A common mix-up comes from the song’s performance history: Lavoe is the voice most listeners associate with the record, and Colón was its producer, but neither wrote the lyrics. Blades later became one of salsa’s most influential singer-songwriters, especially through his collaborations with Colón, including the landmark 1978 album Siembra.