Sandra de Sá

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Sandra Sá, Sandra Cristina Malafaia Frederico de Sá

Years Active

1980

Genres

MPB, soul, funk, samba-rock, black music, pop

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Born in the Pilares neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Sandra de Sá is one of the most powerful and iconic voices in Brazilian music. Often hailed as the 'Queen of Brazilian Soul,' her deep, husky timbre and rhythmic versatility have earned her comparisons to international legends like Billie Holiday and her close friend Tim Maia, who often referred to her as his female counterpart. Her musical lineage stems from her father, a drummer, and her Cape Verdean heritage, which she celebrates as a fundamental part of her 'Africanity.'

Her breakthrough came in 1980 at the MPB 80 festival with the hit 'Demônio Colorido.' This success launched a prolific career characterized by a string of radio hits throughout the 1980s, including 'Retratos e Canções,' 'Joga Fora no Lixo,' and 'Bye Bye Tristeza.' During this era, she developed a profound friendship with Cazuza; she was a frequent collaborator with his band Barão Vermelho, and Cazuza later became the godfather of her son, Jorge de Sá.

In the 1990s, she coined the term 'Música Preta Brasileira' (Brazilian Black Music) to redefine the MPB acronym and highlight the African roots inherent in Brazil's popular sounds. Her discography reflects this philosophy, blending soul, funk, and samba with social consciousness. Beyond her vocal prowess, she is a respected composer and has ventured into acting, appearing in the acclaimed series 'Antônia.' Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse range of Brazilian icons, from Djavan to Carlinhos Brown, maintaining her status as a vital force in the nation's cultural landscape.

Discography

• Demônio Colorido (1980)
• Sandra Sá (1982)
• 1982 (1982)
• Vale Tudo (1983)
• Enredo Do Meu Samba (1984)
• Sandra de Sá (1984) (1984)
• Sandra Sá (1986)
• Sandra de Sá (1988)
• Retratos y Canciones (1988)
• Bye Bye Tristeza (1989)
• Sandra! (1990)
• Lucky (1991)
• D#Sá (1993)
• Sandra de Sá (1993) (1993)
• Olhos Coloridos (1994)
• A Lua Sabe Quem Eu Sou (1996)
• Entre Nós (1997)
• Eu Sempre Fui Sincero, Você Sabe Muito Bem (1998)
• Momentos que Marcam Demais (2000)
• RCA 100 Anos de Música (2001)
• Sandra de Sá Traduz os Sucessos da Motown - Pare, Olhe, Escute (2002)
• Música Preta Brasileira (Ao Vivo) (2003)
• AfricaNatividade (2009)
• Africanatividade: 30 Anos Ao Vivo (2011)
• ÁfricaNatividade - Sandra de Sá 30 Anos e Convidados (2011)
• Arnaldo Baptista 7.8 - Canções Inesquecíveis Revisitadas - Cobre (2026)
• Sandra Sá Indo pra Dentro (2026)