Raimundo Sodré

Origin

Ipirá, BA

Years active

1980

Genres

mpb, samba-chula, samba de roda, baião, chula

Instruments

acoustic guitar, atabaques

Biography

Raimundo Nonato Pereira Sodré, born in Ipirá, Bahia, on July 23, 1947, is a Brazilian singer and songwriter recognized for his contribution to Brazilian popular music, especially for his work with rhythms such as samba de roda and samba-chula. Raised in an Angola candomblé terreiro, Sodré had his first musical influences in this environment, learning to play atabaques. Later, he learned to play the acoustic guitar, with his mother being his first teacher on the instrument.

His career gained national prominence in 1980, when he won third place at the Festival da Nova MPB 80 with the song "A Massa", composed in partnership with Jorge Portugal. This success resulted in the sale of over one hundred thousand copies of his debut album, "A Massa", earning him a gold record. The song "A Massa" became an anthem for the working and oppressed masses, addressing social and political themes.

Throughout his career, Raimundo Sodré has released several albums, including "Coisa de Nego" (1981), "Beijo Moreno" (1983), "Real" (1994), "Dengo" (2003), and "Girassóis de Van Gogh" (2015). His work is marked by the fusion of traditional Bahian rhythms with poetic and reflective lyrics, often addressing environmental and social issues. Sodré is considered one of Bahia's most important artists, keeping the essence of northeastern popular culture alive.