Só Pra Contrariar (translates to Just (only) to be contrary) is a Brazilian musical group formed in 1989. Their 1997 album ''Só Pra Contrariar'' is one of the best selling albums in Brazil, selling more than three million copies. The band is known for its
frontman
The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of the ...
,
Alexandre Pires, who has launched a successful solo career after the band's break-up.
Band history
Só Pra Contrariar was formed in
Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, in 1989 by singer
Alexandre Pires, who was 13 at the time. Pires convinced his brother, cousin, and some friends to form the band for fun. They took the name from a
samba
Samba (), also known as samba urbano carioca (''urban Carioca samba'') or simply samba carioca (''Carioca samba''), is a Brazilian music genre that originated in the Afro-Brazilian communities of Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century. Havin ...
by the
Carioca group
Fundo de Quintal.
They started playing in bars around their hometown. In 1993 they recorded a
demo tape
A demo (shortened from "demonstration") is a song or group of songs typically recorded for limited circulation or for reference use, rather than for general public release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas in a fixed for ...
and sent it to
BMG BMG may refer to:
Organizations
* Music publishing companies:
** Bertelsmann Music Group, a 1987–2008 division of Bertelsmann that was purchased by Sony on October 1, 2008
*** Sony BMG, a 2004–2008 joint venture of Bertelsmann and Sony that wa ...
. The label signed them and that same year, they released their self-titled debut album. This album sold more than 500,000 copies and they started touring heavily.
They kept releasing several albums through the 90s, but their fifth album (released in 1997) helped the group win the triple diamond record
for selling 3 million copies.
In 1998, the group recorded their first album in Spanish which sold 700,000 copies. This album garnered them more awards around the world. In 1999, they released their second Spanish album titled ''
Juegos de Amor''. The album included a hit song titled "
Santo Santo
"Santo Santo" ( en, "Saint Saint") is the first single song by Só Pra Contrariar from the album '' Juegos de Amor'', recorded as a duet with international pop star Gloria Estefan. The tune has its origins in Raffaella Carra's greatest hit "Tan ...
" that featured
Cuban singer
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan (; born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García; born 1 September 1957) is a Cuban-American singer, actress, and businesswoman. Estefan is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and has been ...
.
Band members
* Alexandre Pires –
lead vocals
The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...
* Fernando Pires – drums
* Juliano – percussion
* Rogério – Cello
* Serginho – keyboards
* Hamilton – saxophone
* Luiz Fernando –
pandeiro
* Alexandre Popó –
surdo
* Luis Antônio –
Viola, Guitar
See also
*
Alexandre Pires
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:So Pra Contrariar
Brazilian musical groups
Musical groups established in 1989
Musical groups disestablished in 1999
Pagode musical groups
1989 establishments in Brazil
1999 disestablishments in Brazil
Spanish-language singers of Brazil