"El Cantante" is the 1978 signature song of Puerto Rican

salsa Salsa most often refers to: * Salsa (Mexican cuisine), a variety of sauces used as condiments * Salsa music, a popular style of Latin American music * Salsa (dance), a Latin dance associated with Salsa music Salsa or SALSA may also refer to: A ...

singer

Héctor Lavoe Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez (30 September 1946 – 29 June 1993), better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe is considered to be possibly the best and most important singer and interpreter in the history of salsa ...

and first single of the album '' Comedia''. The song was written by

Rubén Blades Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948), known professionally as Rubén Blades (, but in Panama and within the family), is a Panamanian musician, singer, composer, actor, activist, and politician, performing musically most often in th ...

and produced by

Willie Colón William Anthony Colón Román (born April 28, 1950) is an American salsa musician and social activist. He began his career as a trombonist and also sings, writes, produces and acts. He is also involved in the politics of New York City. Colón ...

. The 2006 movie about Lavoe's life, ''

El Cantante ''El Cantante'' is a 2006 biographical film which stars singers Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. The film is based on the life of the late salsa music, salsa singer Héctor Lavoe, who is portrayed by Anthony. The film is told from the viewpoint o ...

'', takes its title from the song.

Ángel López version

In late 2004 Puerto Rican singer Ángel López released a cover of the song as a solo artist after being the lead singer of the group

Son By Four Son by Four is a latin music group from Puerto Rico, well known for their English U.S. pop hit " The Purest of Pain (A Puro Dolor)". The group is now independent, as they founded their own label SB4 Music Group in 2003. Son by Four was created b ...

. His version had airplay success in the U.S. Tropical Charts by Billboard.Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay
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Charts

References

{{authority control 1978 songs Héctor Lavoe songs Marc Anthony songs Víctor Manuelle songs Ivy Queen songs Songs written by Rubén Blades