Bino Farias

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1986

Genres

reggae, reggae fusion, ska, soul, pop rock

Instruments

bass guitar

Biography

André José de Farias, known artistically as Bino Farias, is a Brazilian bass player born on November 30, 1970, in Rio de Janeiro. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the Brazilian reggae band Cidade Negra, which he co-founded in 1986 in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro. Farias's musical journey began with a strong influence from his parents, his father playing the guitar and his mother singing in a church choir, which exposed him to music from an early age. He, along with other founding members like Lazão and Da Gama, initially formed a group called "Novo Tempo" with the simple goal of performing at a church festival. The band later evolved into "Lumiar" before finally settling on the name "Cidade Negra" due to a name conflict.

Bino Farias's distinctive basslines have been a cornerstone of Cidade Negra's unique sound, a fusion of reggae, soul, funk, and Brazilian rhythms. The band gained national prominence in the 1990s with albums like "Lute para Viver" (1990) and "Sobre Todas as Forças" (1994), the latter featuring the hit "Onde Você Mora?". Farias has also been recognized for his songwriting contributions to the band. In 2008, he received a nomination for "Best Instrumentalist" at the Prêmio Multishow de Música Brasileira, highlighting his skill and impact as a musician. His brother, Lauro Farias, is also a notable bassist, known for his work with the band O Rappa.

Throughout his career, Bino Farias has been instrumental in shaping Cidade Negra's musical identity and lyrical themes, which often address social issues and love. The band's journey includes significant milestones such as being the first Latin American band to perform at the Reggae Sunsplash Festival in Jamaica in 1992. Despite lineup changes, including the departure and return of vocalist Toni Garrido, Farias has remained a constant presence, continuing to lead the band and influence generations of musicians in the Brazilian music scene. His dedication to reggae and his distinctive bass playing have solidified his status as a respected figure in Brazilian music.