Buraka Som Sistema
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, entertainment |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Branko (João Barbosa), Rui Pité (DJ Riot), Andro Carvalho (Conductor), Kalaf Epalanga |
| Defunct | July 1, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Lisbon , Portugal |
| Products | Electronic dance music, albums, singles |
| Website | http://kalafangelo.com/ |
Buraka Som Sistema was a Portuguese electronic dance music ensemble recognized for blending techno rhythms with African zouk and kuduro styles. The group is acknowledged for pioneering genres such as "zouk bass" and "progressive kuduro," and they received an MTV European Music Award. In 2015, they declared a break starting in 2016, culminating in their last live performance on 1 July 2016 in Lisbon.
Origins
Established in 2002 by producers Branko (João Barbosa), Rui Pité (DJ Riot), Andro Carvalho (Conductor), alongside vocalist Kalaf Epalanga, Buraka Som Sistema originated from the Cool Train Crew collective. Prior to this, Barbosa and Pité had worked together under the name 1-UIK Project and aimed to develop a project centered on kuduro music. Carvalho, an Angolan hip-hop producer affiliated with Conjunto Ngonguenha, joined the group while residing in Portugal.
The name of the band translates as "Buraka Sound System," referring to Buraca, a neighborhood located in Amadora near Lisbon.
Career
Their debut release was the EP From Buraka to the World under the Portuguese label Enchufada, which included the track "Yah!" featuring Angolan hip-hop artist Petty. This was succeeded by another collaboration with Petty titled "Wawaba," along with an expanded reissue of From Buraka to the World as a full-length album.
Following tours across Europe, including performances at Glastonbury Festival and Roskilde Festival, the group released the single "Sound of Kuduro" in 2007 with contributions from M.I.A., DJ Znobia, Saborosa, and Puto Prata. Their sophomore album, Black Diamond (2008), was issued by Sony BMG, accompanied by the single "Kalemba (Wegue Wegue)" featuring vocals from Pongolove. They are signed to Aftercluv Dance Lab, a Latin EDM imprint launched by Universal Music.
On 1 July 2016, Buraka Som Sistema organized Globaile, a music event held at Torre de Belém during the Festas de Lisboa, where they delivered their farewell concert.
Usage in media
Several of their songs have been incorporated into prominent video games: "Kalemba (Wegue-Wegue)" appeared in FIFA 10, "Restless" featured in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, and "Hangover (Ba Ba Ba)" was included in Just Dance 2016. Furthermore, "Bota" was used in a 2014 adidas advertisement starring Dani Alves.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Sales | Certifications (sales thresholds) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POR | SPA | BEL | ||||
| 2006 | From Buraka to the WorldTemplate:Smalldiv | — | — | — |
|
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| 2008 | Black DiamondTemplate:Smalldiv | 7 | — | 54 | Template:Smalldiv |
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| 2011 | KombaTemplate:Smalldiv | 4 | — | — |
| |
| 2014 | BurakaTemplate:Smalldiv | — | — | — | ||
Singles
| Year | Track | Chart Rankings | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPA | BEL | EUR | |||
| 2007 | "Yah" | - | - | - | Black Diamond |
| "Wawaba (v. 1.8)" | - | - | - | ||
| 2008 | "Sound of Kuduro" featuring DJ Znobia, M.I.A. | - | - | - | |
| "Kalemba (Wegue-Wegue)" | 1 | - | 87 | ||
| 2009 | "Aqui Para Vocês (feat. Deize Tigrona)" | - | - | 91 | |
| 2011 | "Hangover (BaBaBa)" | - | - | - | Komba |
| "(We Stay) Up All Night" | - | - | - | ||
Awards
Buraka Som Sistema secured the 8th spot in the 2007 New Sounds of Europe contest at the MTV Europe Music Awards and received nominations for Best Portuguese Act in both 2007 and 2009. The group earned the Best Portuguese Act title in 2008.
MTV Europe Music Awards
The annual MTV Europe Music Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in European music.
| 2007 | Buraka Som Sistema | New Sounds of Europe | Nominee |
| 2007 | Buraka Som Sistema | Best Portuguese Act | Nominee |
| 2008 | Buraka Som Sistema | Best Portuguese Act | Winner |
| 2009 | Buraka Som Sistema | Best Portuguese Act | Nominee |
Golden Globes
In 2009, Buraka Som Sistema was honored with the Group of the Year award at the Golden Globes, hosted by Portugal's SIC television network.
| 2009 | Buraka Som Sistema | Group Of The Year | Winner |
European Border Breakers Awards
This award recognizes artists who gain international recognition with their first album. Buraka Som Sistema won this accolade in 2009 for their debut album Black Diamond.
| 2009 | Black Diamond | European Border Breakers Award | Winner |
BEFFTA Awards
On October 25, 2014, Buraka Som Sistema received the BEFFTA International Entertainment Icons award. In a Sound And Motion magazine interview, they conveyed their pride and gratitude for receiving this honor.