Os Mulheres Negras

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

1985–presente

Genres

pop, alternative rock, mpb

Instruments

vocals, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, samplers, electronic drums

Biography

Os Mulheres Negras is a Brazilian musical duo formed in the 1980s by São Paulo musicians André Abujamra and Maurício Pereira. Irreverently known as "the third smallest big band in the world", the members performed wearing overcoats and straw derby hats, combining the use of traditional instruments like guitar, keyboards, and saxophone with modern electronic equipment, such as samplers and electronic drums. The group's approach blended various genres, humor, parodies, and technology, reinterpreting pop references in an innovative way.

The duo's journey began in 1984, after the musicians met in an African percussion course, officially establishing the project the following year. They quickly gained notoriety in the São Paulo alternative circuit with performative and improvised shows, catching the public's attention even before the release of their vinyl records. Their first studio album, titled "Música e Ciência", hit the market in 1988, incorporating rhythms such as funk, lambada, baião, punk, and bossa nova, as well as references to major figures like Heitor Villa-Lobos. Later, they released the album "Música Serve Pra Isso" in 1990, aiming for a more radio-friendly and accessible sound.

Although they went their separate ways starting in 1991, André Abujamra and Maurício Pereira maintained significant artistic partnerships, collaborating on memorable soundtracks such as the one for the television show Castelo Rá-Tim-Bum. After a long hiatus away from the stage as a duo, the band returned to activities in 2012 for a commemorative tour across the country. The group's legacy and cultural relevance were also immortalized on screen with the release of the documentary "Música Serve Pra Isso - Uma História dos Mulheres Negras", directed by Bel Bechara and Sandro Serpa.