André Sampaio & Os Afromandinga

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

2013

Genres

afrobeat, samba-rock, dub, afro-funk, salsa, coco, mandinga, candomblé, reggae, MPB, blues

Instruments

electric guitar, bass, drums, percussion, jamb, ningoni

Biography

André Sampaio & Os Afromandinga is a musical project led by guitarist, composer, and singer André Sampaio, who was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1975. The band's work is marked by a fusion of African-rooted traditions with modern music, incorporating elements of afrobeat, samba-rock, dub, capoeira angola chants, samba de terreiro, candomblé, griot chants, nyabinghi, and blues. The sound is built with traditional electric band instruments (bass, drums, electric guitar) as well as African instruments, such as the "jamb" (mandinga drum) and the "ningoni" (mandinga harp).

The "Os Afromandinga" project emerged as a way to synthesize André Sampaio's research into African roots in Brazil and his experiences traveling through Africa, such as in Mali and Burkina Faso. The debut album, "Desaguou", released in 2013, is a reflection of these encounters, featuring collaborations with artists such as Vieux Farka Touré, Cacique 97, BNegão, and others. The album explores the desert blues of mandinga music, blending them with Brazilian and African rhythms, and addresses themes such as identity, resistance, and ancestry.

André Sampaio is also known for having been a founder and guitarist of the reggae band Ponto de Equilíbrio, with which he released four albums and achieved great national success. His solo career, with Os Afromandinga and other projects such as the trio Mandinga Beat, demonstrates his versatility and his commitment to exploring the connections between African, Brazilian, and contemporary music, always featuring the afro-rock electric guitar as a distinctive element of his sound. He is also an audiovisual producer and editor, with works focused on popular religiosity and Brazilian indigenous culture.