Banghra
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Javi Mota, Lidia Guevara, Victoria Gómez |
| Defunct | 2008 |
Area served | Spain |
Key people | Sergio Medrano (producer) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Banghra was a Spanish pop ensemble established in 2007 by Javi Mota, Lidia Guevara, and Victoria Gómez, with the objective of bringing belly dance and Indian-inspired dance music back into popular culture through engaging songs performed in both Spanish and English. This project, initiated by producer Sergio Medrano, produced two albums—La Danza del Vientre and ...a bailar!—before the group dissolved in 2008. Their most notable hit was "My Own Way". After the group's dissolution, Javi Mota and Lidia Guevara embarked on individual music ventures.
Career
Vocalists and dancers Javi Mota, Lydia Guevara, and Victoria Gómez founded Banghra, infusing a contemporary urban style that rejuvenated interest in belly dance among Spanish audiences. Their sound merged rhythmic dance elements with fitness-inspired movements drawn from belly dancing.
In June 2007, their debut record, La Danza del Vientre, became a seasonal hit across Spain, merging Middle Eastern influences with bilingual lyrics in Spanish and English. The album reached number three on Spain’s pop charts.
Included with the album was a DVD featuring their initial music video, behind-the-scenes footage, step-by-step dance tutorials for several songs, and a photographic collection.
The lead single "My Own Way" received extensive airplay on Spanish pop stations. Its successor "Promised Land" also charted and was featured on the compilation Superventas 2008, alongside other prominent dance tunes.
Capitalizing on their success, Banghra released a follow-up album in July 2008 entitled ...a bailar!, which showcased a more conventional pop sound. The Spanish-language track "Una especie en extinción" attained moderate recognition relative to their previous hit. They later promoted the single "Unidos".
Post-Banghra Activities
After the group disbanded, the members pursued solo careers.
Javi Mota
Javi Mota (full name Javier Mota) developed a solo career as a singer and actor. He sought to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo with the song "Amarte Hoy," composed by Roel Garcia and produced by Ivan Vázquez; however, he did not advance to the final selection.
Lidia Guevara
Lidia Guevara launched her solo career with the release of her single "Nadie como tú."
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart position | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP | |||
| 2007 | La danza del vientre
|
3 | 110,000 copies sold Platinum |
| 2008 | ...a bailar!
|
54 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP | |||
| 2007 | "My Own Way" | 14 | La danza del vientre |
| 2008 | "Promised Land" | - | |
| "Una especie en extinción" | 27 | ...a bailar! | |
| "Unidos" | - |
- Following the split
- Javi Mota: "Amarte Hoy" (2010), "Llevaré" (2011)
- Lidia Guevara: "Nadie como tú" (2010)