In 2003, Rubén Blades and Willie Colón, two iconic figures of salsa, came together to celebrate the anniversary of the famous album "Siembra." However, what promised to be a successful collaboration led to a financial conflict that spread on social media, where fans and experts debated the relevance of both musicians in the success of this outstanding salsa production.
The conflict took an unexpected turn when Willie Colón suggested on social media a possible political alignment of Rubén Blades with Donald Trump. Colón expressed his discontent, questioning recognition of his contribution to the album and pointing out a lack of credit towards him. These statements reignited past disputes and fueled controversy among followers of both stars, interpreting the comment as a provocation towards Blades, known for his critical stance towards the former U.S. president.
In response to Colón's accusations, Rubén Blades published an open letter addressing recent conflicts and his long artistic career. Blades highlighted his achievements, his nomination for the Latin Grammy, and his participation in international events celebrating Latin music. He also referenced a $115,000 debt he allegedly had with Colón following a concert in Puerto Rico related to the celebration of the album "Siembra."
Although in 2008 they reached a legal agreement to resolve the financial dispute, tensions between both artists persisted, leaving a mark on their professional and personal relationship. Unfortunately, the controversy did not disappear completely and continued to affect their bond.
In 2021, the controversy resurfaced when Rubén Blades was awarded a Grammy for "Siembra: 45th Anniversary," which brought up again the question of each one's contribution to the album's success.
