Skank

by Alvaro Neder
 
Skank was formed in Belo Horizonte MG in 1991; they became one of the most popular bands in Brazil in the '90s. Mixing influences of pop music, reggae, ska, and rock & roll, the band reached the market with their first album, the independent Skank, which had the hit &Tanto& (a reggae version for Bob Dylan's &I Want You&). Their second release, Calango, had several hits, like &É Proibido Fumar& (Roberto Carlos/Erasmo Carlos), in the heart of the Jovem Guarda revival. Their fifth album, Maquinarama, marked a change of pace, the band began to insert funk, soul music, surf music, drum'n'bass, bossa nova, and Latin pop influences into their sound. Other hits by the group are &Garota Nacional,& &Pacato Cidadão,& &É Uma Partida de Futebol,& &Jackie Tequila,& and &Tão Seu.&