Expensive Soul is a Portuguese

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

and

hip-hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hi ...

duo formed in

Leça da Palmeira Leça da Palmeira () is an area in the Portuguese city of Matosinhos north of the Leça river. It was a civil parish until 2013, when it was merged with the parish of Matosinhos, forming Matosinhos e Leça da Palmeira. The parish covered and had ...

in 1999, consisting of Demo (António Conde) as the group's MC and New Max (Tiago Novo) as its singer, MC and producer. Expensive Soul's musical style incorporates various genres, ranging from

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...

to R&B. From their second album, named ''Alma Cara'' (2006), to these days, their music possesses a highly organic component. They were specially popular in Portugal from 2004 to 2014. The group released their debut album, ''B.I.'', in 2004, with which they rose to mainstream prominence. Some of their most famous songs have been featured in Portuguese

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...

s, such as the track "O Amor É Mágico" (which samples

The Impressions The Impressions were an American music group originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes gospel, R&B, doo-wop, and soul. The group was founded as the Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks and Arthu ...

' 1974 song I'll Always Be Here) from their third album, 2010's ''Utopia''. Other famous tracks include "Dou-te Nada" (2010) and "Cúpido" (2013). So far, Expensive Soul has released five studio albums, one live album and one live DVD, with a show that was part of the

Guimarães Guimarães () is a city and municipality located in northern Portugal, in the district of Braga. Its historic town centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an "exceptionally well-preserved ...

2012 -

European Capital of Culture A European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union (EU) for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong pan-European dimension. Being a European Capital of Culture can ...

programming.

Formation and early years

Tiago Novo and António Conde attended the same class in high school in

Matosinhos Matosinhos () is a City#Portugal, city and a Concelho, municipality in the district of Porto District, Porto in Portugal. The municipality covers an area of approximately and had 172,557 inhabitants in 2021. It is bordered by the municipalities o ...

. The duo started their project Expensive Soul in 1999, adopting, in the process, the artistic names New Max and Demo. Their debut album ''B.I.'', released in 2004, features the singles "Eu Não Sei" - the band's breakthrough hit - and "Falas Disso", which were included in the popular teen

Morangos com Açúcar ''Morangos com Açúcar'' (lit. ''Strawberries with Sugar''; distributed internationally as ''Sweet Strawberries'') is a Portuguese teen drama. It was broadcast daily on the Portuguese TV station TVI between 30 August 2003 to 15 September 2012. T ...

''. "Eu Não Sei"'s success made the group known to the general public. In their live performances, the duo is accompanied by the instrumental ensemble Jaguar Band; New Max has been described as the most reserved half of the duo, whereas Demo has been noted to exude a "natural magnetism" and a more energetic approach to their shows. Acclaimed singer

Dino d'Santiago Claudino Jesus Borges Pereira, better known by his stage name Dino D'Santiago (born 13 December 1982), is a Portuguese activist, composer, and musician of Cape Verdean descent. First appearing in Operação Triunfo, he has released several albums, ...

was part of Jaguar Band. He was one of the back vocalists of the band. He also appeared in Expensive Soul's first music video ever, for the hit "Eu Não Sei", before he became famous.

Discography

Albums

* ''B.I.'' (CD, 2004) * ''Alma Cara'' (CD, 2006) * ''Utopia'' (CD, 2010) * ''Sonhador'' (CD, 2014) * ''A Arte das Musas'' (CD, 2019)

Live albums

* ''Ao Vivo Nos Coliseus'' (2016)

DVDs

* ''Expensive Soul Symphonic Experience'' (DVD, 2012)

References

External links

* {{Authority control Portuguese hip-hop groups Hip-hop duos Male musical duos Musical groups established in 1999