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Uruguayan musician Rubén Rada, a candombe icon, dies at 83 Image: EFE.
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Uruguayan musician Rubén Rada, a candombe icon, dies at 83

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Renowned Uruguayan musician Rubén Rada, a key figure in candombe and popular music, has died at age 83 after a month-long battle with pneumonia.
  • Rada was celebrated for fusing rhythms like candombe, jazz, and rock, earning a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
  • His career spanned over six decades, resulting in more than thirty albums and iconic songs, with his life recently featured in the documentary 'Rada, la película'.

Rubén Rada, a towering figure in Uruguayan music and a celebrated pioneer of candombe fusion, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83. His family announced his death, stating he died peacefully after a month-long struggle with pneumonia and its complications.

Born in Montevideo's Barrio Sur, the heartland of candombe, Rada began his musical journey at age ten as a carnival comparsa singer. His career, spanning over six decades, was marked by a unique ability to blend traditional candombe with genres such as jazz and rock, creating a distinctive sound that resonated across Latin America. In recognition of his profound contributions, he received the Latin Grammy Award for Musical Excellence in 2011.

Rada's prolific output includes more than thirty albums and numerous beloved songs, such as "Mi País," "Las Manzanas," and "Muriendo de Plena." His life and career were recently the subject of the documentary 'Rada, la película,' released in 2025, which offered an intimate look at his artistic journey.

With immense pain, we inform you that today, Wednesday, August 26, at 3:30 PM (6:30 PM GMT), our dear husband, father, and grandfather has left us and now rests in peace, after fighting for a month against pneumonia and its complications.

— Rubén Rada's familyAnnouncing the death of the musician.

Just last month, on his 83rd birthday, Rada released "¿Quién va a cantar?" ('Who's Going to Sing?'), an audiovisual project that featured the Uruguayan band La Vela Puerca reinterpreting his classic hits. This project served as a testament to his enduring influence and the continued relevance of his music.

Rada's legacy extends beyond his recordings and performances; he was instrumental in bringing candombe to a wider audience, solidifying its place as a vital part of Uruguay's cultural identity. His passing marks the end of an era for Uruguayan popular music, leaving behind a rich and vibrant musical heritage.

Thank you all for the messages of concern and love, today and always. Infinite thanks to the professional team that did everything possible and more.

— Rubén Rada's familyExpressing gratitude following the musician's passing.
About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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