Portuguese hip-hop

I listen to music almost everyday, and one of my favourite kinds of music is hip-hop. In Portugal, this is a relatively recent (more less fifteen years) and developing musical style, initiated by Da Weasel and Mind da Gap. The first ones are now, and after conquering the portuguese audience, a relative internationalization. Always acclaimed in portuguese music festivals, Da Weasel became famous after singles ‘Agora e para sempre (a paixão)’ and specially, years later, ‘Tás na boa’. After this rap/metal hit, Da Weasel released ‘Re-Definições’, their latest album, in which musics ‘Re-Tratamento’ and ‘Força (uma página de história)’ stand out.

Porto native Mind da Gap are a pure hip-hop group and therefore not as famous as Lisbon originated Da Weasel. Still they became popular after releasing ‘Todos gordos’ and ‘Dedicatória’. More recently ‘Bazamos ou ficamos?’ and ‘Não stresses’ carried on their great work. One of Mind da Gap members, Ace, has recently released his first single, ‘Cor de laranja’. Also from Porto are Dealema, a ten-year music group that isn’t still that successful nationwide. Still they’ve released very good songs like ‘Talento clandestino’ and ‘A cena toda’.

Rapper Boss AC has had a great increase in the last few years. After working with the famous american mixer Troy Hightower, Boss AC came and placed his mark on portuguese soil. After the relative successes ‘Baza baza’, ‘Quieres dinero’ and ‘Eu tou aqui’, his latest album, ‘R.A.P. (Ritmo, amor e palavras)’, has made him reach the national music top. Songs like ‘Hip-Hop (sou eu, és tu)’ and ‘Princesa (Beija-me outra vez)’ are huge successes in Portugal.

Somehow hidden in the national panorama are Sam The Kid, who’s recently released a new single, ‘Não percebes’ and Nel Assassin, the author of ‘O ideal’, among others. Now starting to appear are Angola rappers SP & Wilson, starting to gain fame with single ‘Arrebenta’. Also Guardiões do Subsolo appeared in the beginning of this year with a rap mix of the portuguese pop-rock band GNR. From them you can listen to ‘Popless’, their only single for the moment.

Rui Rocha