Só Pra Contrariar

Só Pra Contrariar started in 1987, when a guy named Alexandre Pires, who played and sang, joined up with his brother Fernando and other friends. Together they formed a group that mixed rhythms like reggae, pagode, salsa, merengue and samba reggae. They were part of that energy that was moving through Brazilian music, with a rhythm that made you move your body.In 1989, samba started to resurge in Brazil, but not as before. It became broader, more free, and combined with other sounds. Só Pra Contrariar got involved in that movement. The leader was Alexandre, who also played guitar and sang. Around him was a group of musicians who accompanied him: Serginho on keyboards, Luisinho on bass, Hamilton on saxophone, Fernando on drums, and in percussion, Juliano, Luis Fernando and Rogerio.The group got a contract with BMG, and along the way joined artists like Gloria Estefan. In 1997 they released an album that gave them important recognition, with over three million copies sold. The next year they released their first album in Spanish, with 700 thousand copies. The song Cuando Acaba el Placer was key to their fame, and with that they won several awards. The following year they released Juegos de Amor, another album in Spanish.