Manimal

Origin

Vitória, ES

Years active

1986

Genres

rock, congo, ticumbi, electronic music, samba, reggae, rockongo

Biography

Manimal is a Brazilian musical group originating from the city of Vitoria, founded in 1986. The band is widely recognized for creating a distinct musical style known as "Movimento rockongo," which brilliantly fuses rock music with traditional Brazilian rhythms such as congo, ticumbi, and samba, alongside electronic music and reggae. Their innovative sonic approach established them as a unique force in the regional and national music scenes, drawing comparisons in spirit to the genre-blending ethos of artists like Chico Science & Nação Zumbi.

Throughout their career, the band has achieved significant national and international milestones. In 1996, they won the song festival in Alegre, Espirito Santo, for the best arrangement among 360 entries, and were subsequently selected by the prestigious French radio station RFI's contest as one of the eight best musical works in Latin America and the Caribbean. This international acclaim propelled them to perform over 80 shows across Europe, including a memorable appearance at the 41st Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

The group's trajectory faced a profound tragedy in April 2008 with the sudden passing of their drummer, Queiroz, just prior to a scheduled show and the planned release of their live album recorded in Montreux. Despite this devastating loss and subsequent challenges, the band has continued to preserve their musical legacy, releasing albums such as "Stay Close" in 2018. Their discography also includes notable releases like their 1997 self-titled debut, "Tow Tow," and "Espirito Congo."