Skowa e a Máfia

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Genres

black music, funk, soul, reggae, samba, rock

Instruments

voz, guitarra, baixo, bateria, teclados, percussão

Biography

Skowa e a Máfia was a band from São Paulo formed in 1986 and conceived by musician and singer Skowa, officially beginning their activities in 1987. The group stood out in the Brazilian musical scene for mixing genres of the African diaspora, incorporating elements of North American black music, Caribbean music, samba, funk, soul, reggae, rock, and Cuban rhythms. Alongside names such as singer Bukassa Kabengele, the band built a unique identity marked by energetic performances and striking choreographies.

In 1989, the band released their first album, titled La Famiglia, achieving national projection with the hit "Atropelamento e Fuga", a reimagining of the composition by Akira S e As Garotas Que Erraram. The impact of their debut earned the group the Brazilian Music Revelation award from APCA (São Paulo Association of Art Critics) that same year. The following year, they released their second album, Contraste e Movimento, consolidating their sound before ending their activities for the first time in 1991, at which point Skowa pursued a solo career.

The group returned to the stage in 2006, performing at the Virada Cultural festival and holding shows in the capital of São Paulo in the following decades. The band's trajectory remained active until the passing of its founder and leader, Skowa, in 2024. The group's lineup over the years featured various renowned musicians, leaving a lasting mark on the history of pop and alternative music in São Paulo.

Discography

• La Famiglia (1989)
• Atropelamento e Fuga (1989)
• Amigo Do Amigo (1989)
• Contraste e Movimento (1990)