He is best known as the author of "Moliendo Café" and other songs like "El Burrito Sabanero", "Leche Condensada", "Luces de Caracas", "Sierra Nevada" and "Mañanita Zuliana".

"Moliendo Café", written in 1958 when Hugo Blanco was only 18 years old, has become one of the most recognized Venezuelan songs in the world.

He purchased his first musical instrument known as a cuatro at the age of 15 and learned to play it listening to the radio.

He also founded what is widely considered to be the first Venezuelan ska group, Las Cuatro Monedas.

Hugo Blanco's song "La Vecina" was featured in an episode of the popular TV series Miami Vice.