General D

Last updated
General D
General D the godfather of Portuguese hip hop in Lisbon, Portugal 1993. Photograph by Ithaka Darin Pappas.jpg
General D in Lisbon, early 1990s
Background information
Birth nameSergio Matsinhe
Born28 October 1971 (1971-10-28) (age 53)
Maputo, Mozambique
Genres World music, Hip hop
Occupation(s)vocalist, lyricist, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1992–present
Labels EMI, Valentim de Carvalho
Website www.discogs.com/artist/222370-General-D

General D is a rapper, Hip hop tuga and World music artist. Being the first rapper in Portugal to sign a major record deal, he is considered the Godfather Of Portuguese Hip Hop[ citation needed ]. Although largely influenced by big name U.S. rap acts such as Public Enemy, Ice Cube and Ice-T, his music carried a distinct African flavor incorporating many live tribal percussion instruments. He recorded two solo albums for EMI-Valentim de Carvalho and has also appeared as a guest on other artists' releases including; Ithaka, Cool Hipnoise, Água d'Amanhã and Pop Dell'Arte. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Early life

General D (Sergio Matsinhe) was born in Maputo (then Lourenço Marques) the capital city of the Mozambique, (a former Portuguese colony), his family immigrated to Barreiro on the southern shore of the Tagus river near Lisbon, Portugal when he was two years old. As a youth he competed in Track and field events and set regional records for both the 100-meter dash and the 4 × 100 metres relay. [1] [4]

Early career

In 1990, at the age of nineteen, General D was one of organizers of the very first rap festival in Portugal. The event was held at the Sociedade Filarmónica Incrível Almadense, in Almada. There he presented the rap group Black Company (of which he was one of the founding members) and also the project, Africa Power. He also performed with his first band along with co-members, singer Maimuna Jalles and the rapper, Lince.

In 1991 he made his first studio recording as a guest vocalists and lyricist on the track "MC Holy" by the Portuguese new-wave band, Pop dell'Arte for their album, Ready-Made.

It was through the TV program, Lentes de Contacto (produced by Latina Europa), where General D met composer/producer Tiago Lopes who in 1993 invited him to record the track "Norte Sul" for the film, Até amanhã, Mário (See You Tomorrow Mario). This gained the attention of several Portuguese record labels and General D eventually signed a multiple-album deal with Valentim de Carvalho, a local sub-division of EMI Records. [5] [6]

In 1994 he released the controversial EP "PortuKKKal É Um Erro" (Portugal is Error), lyrically shedding light on Portugal's previously hidden racism. The attention derived from this record frequently got General D invited to primetime television talk shows, to discuss the problems of African immigrants to Portugal, from the former Portuguese colonies [7] [8] [9]

In 1995, he released his first full-length album "Pé na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu", recorded with a group live African musicians, known as Os Karapinhas. The first single was "Black Magic Woman" (featuring Sam). The song's well-produced video was a favorite on MTV Portugal at the time, leading to many opportunities for live performances. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

In 1997, General D released his second album "Kanimambo". It was produced by Joe Fossard and recorded at Regiestúdio in Lisbon and featured several guest performers including the legendary António Chainho on Portuguese Guitar for the song, "Hora Di Bai". Nuno Guerreiro contributed vocals on a politically oriented track entitled, "Xanana Gusmão". The percussionist, Netos Do N'Gumbé performed on the song, "Respeito". Lyrics for the song, "Rappi Ta Doddo" were written by Brazilian superstar Gabriel O Pensador. And singer Marta Dias and Californian rapper/lyricist Ithaka appeared on the song, "Ekos do Passado". General D toured extensively with this album nationally and also performed in Spain and France. [15]

Disappearance From Portugal

A few years later, General D then spent several months in Jamaica preparing his third album with legendary reggae duo Sly and Robbie (as producers), but the disc was never released by EMI-Valentim de Carvalho and until this day has never been heard by the public. In the years that followed, General D went missing. Rumors circulated on the rapper's whereabout, but were never confirmed until 2014.

Reappearance And Career Comeback

After eventually being tracked down by acclaimed writer and culture journalist, Vitor Belanciano in London, General D gave an exclusive interview to Belanciano for an issue of Ipsilon Magazine, a supplement of the Portuguese newspaper, Público. General D confessed that he had seen hard times abroad mostly living in London, and at one point was even cleaning the streets in New York City. He appeared on the cover of that issue of the magazine, an exposure that brought about many reunions in the music industry[ citation needed ].

In 2015, a double-disc release featuring both of his studio albums, Pé na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu and Kanimambo were released by his original label EMI-Valentim de Carvalho. And General D finally returned to the stages that had defined his early career. [16] [17]

On 8 March 2019 a large concert took place called "A História Do Hip-Hop Tuga" (The History of Portuguese Hip Hop) at the Altice Arena, part of the Parque das Nações complex, just outside of Lisbon (he site of the former Expo'98). The show, produced by Música no Coração, featured many of the founding fathers of hip hop in Portugal, many with their roots directly from Africa. Performers included; General D, Boss AC, Black Company, Chullage, NBC e Sir Scratch. [18] [19]

Album Cover Art

The photographs on the covers, back covers and cd booklets of all General D's releases (and even the image for his 2014 cover issue of Ipsilon Magazine) were made by his personal friend, the recording artist, sculptor and hip hop photographer Ithaka Darin Pappas, a Californian who had lived in Lisbon during the formation period of Hip hop tuga. Before moving to Portugal in 1992, Ithaka had previously been working in Los Angeles with artists such as Eazy E, N.W.A. and Ice Cube for Priority Records. [20] [15] [21] [22] [4]

Albums

Singles

Guest appearances On Other Artists' Songs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabriel o Pensador</span> Musical artist

Gabriel Contino, better known as Gabriel o Pensador is a Brazilian rapper, writer, and composer known for his conscious lyrics which speak of activism, and issues of race, politics, social problems, and the Catholic church. Gabriel began his music career when he launched a demo tape containing the song "Tô Feliz " I'm Happy landing him a contract with Sony Music. Since then he has released eight albums: Ainda É Só o Começo, Quebra-Cabeça, Nádegas a Declarar, Gabriel o Pensador, Seja Você Mesmo , MTV ao Vivo, Cavaleiro Andante and Sem Crise. Gabriel has also written three books: "Diário Noturno", "Um Garoto Chamado Rorbeto" and "Meu Pequeno Rubro-Negro". "Um Garoto Chamado Rorbeto" won the "Prêmio Jabuti", for best Children's literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip hop tuga</span> Music genre or scene

Portuguese hip hop, more commonly called hip hop tuga, is the Portuguese variety of hip hop music. It differs from mainstream hip hop because it has strong influences from African music, from Lusophone Africa, reggae, zouk and fado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rip Slyme</span> Japanese hip hop group

Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip hop group. In its best known incarnation, it was primarily composed of four MCs and a DJ, Fumiya. Pes and Su have since parted ways with the group. Their sound is influenced by old-school hip hop and other western rappers such as The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Jurassic 5, the Beastie Boys, DJ Premier and Leaders of the New School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boss AC</span> Musical artist

Ângelo César do Rosário Firmino, better known by the stage name Boss AC is a Portuguese rapper originally from Cape Verde. The letters A and C, in Boss AC, come from the initials of his two names, Ângelo and César, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam the Kid</span> Portuguese rapper and music producer

Samuel Martins Torres Santiago Mira, better known by his stage name Sam the Kid, is a Portuguese rapper and producer from Chelas, in the civil parish of Marvila, Lisbon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valete</span> Musical artist

Keidje Torres Lima is a Portuguese language political hip hop artist, known professionally as Valete. that has enjoyed critical success in his home country of Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Luís Neves</span> Portuguese composer

Pedro Luís Neves is a Portuguese modern composer of classical music and author of several other genres.

Dealema is a long-running Portuguese hip-hop group based in Porto. Along with Mind Da Gap, they are one of the oldest hip-hop bands in Portugal and had major influence over the genre's development across the country. Their early influences included Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, and Nas. Dealema has been performing with the same lineup of Mundo, DJ Guze, Fuse, Expeão, and Maze since forming in 1996.

<i>Flowers and the Color of Paint</i> 1995 studio album by Ithaka

Flowers and the Color of Paint is a 1995 travel-oriented hip hop, downtempo and spoken word album by Californian lyricist, vocalist and visual artist, Ithaka.

<i>Stellafly</i> 1997 studio album by Ithaka

Stellafly is the second full-length album to be released by Californian Alternative hip hop artist Ithaka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Onry Ozzborn</span> American rapper

Michael Sean Martinez, better known by his stage name Onry Ozzborn, is an American rapper and producer from Seattle, Washington. He is a founding member of alternative hip hop groups such as Grayskul, Dark Time Sunshine, and Oldominion, among others.

<i>Ritmo, Amor e Palavras</i> 2005 studio album by Boss AC

Ritmo, Amor e Palavras is Boss AC's third album. It was released in December 2005 in Portugal. It is Boss AC's most successful album and one of the greatest successes in Portuguese music in 2005. It is one of the biggest selling Portuguese hip hop albums and was awarded gold in August 2005 for selling 10,000 copies and later platinum after selling 30,000 copies.

<i>Mingos & Os Samurais</i> 1990 studio album by Rui Veloso

Mingos & Os Samurais is the fifth studio album by Portuguese musician Rui Veloso, released on 7 August 1990 by EMI-Valentim de Carvalho. It is a concept album that tells the story of a small suburban band during the 1960s and the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marta Dias</span> São Toméan Portuguese singer of jazz, world music and fado

Marta Dias is a São Toméan Portuguese singer of jazz, world music and fado who has recorded several solo albums and has additionally recorded and toured extensively with guitarist António Chainho. She has also appeared on several Hip hop releases, including the Ithaka song, Escape From The City Of Angels, which appeared in Columbia Pictures's feature film release, The Replacement Killers in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who's the Enemy?</span> 2004 single by Ithaka & Gabriel o Pensador

"Who's the Enemy?" is an English-language alternative hip hop anti-war song by Californian artist/songwriter Ithaka and Brazilian rapper and author, Gabriel o Pensador. The song was originally included on the album, Recorded in Rio, released for the first time in association with Blitz Magazine (Portugal) in 2004. It would later be featured on the soundtrack of the 2006 film, Lost Jewel of the Atlantic, directed by Jacob Holcomb and produced by World Surfing Reserves. The song promotes world peace, containing lyrical references to former U.S. President George W. Bush, The Cold War and global dictators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Mário Branco</span> Portuguese singer-songwriter (1942–2019)

José Mário Branco was a Portuguese singer-songwriter, actor, and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seabra Is Mad</span> 1997 single by Ithaka

"Seabra Is Mad" is a 1997 drum and bass/alternative rock "story song" by Californian lyricist/vocalist Ithaka. The song was released as the first single from his second studio album Stellafly. Recorded in Portugal, it was produced by Joe Fossard featuring Ewan Butler on guitar and Sergio Nascimento on the chorus drums.

<i>Vou Dar de Beber à Dor</i> 1969 studio album by Amália Rodrigues

Vou Dar de Beber à Dor is a fado album recorded by Amália Rodrigues and released in 1969 on the EMI and Valentim de Carvalho labels. Amália was accompanied by musicians Domingos Camarinha on Portuguese guitar, Castro Mota on viola, and by Raúl Nery's guitar ensemble. The songs were recorded at Valentim de Carvalho de Paço d'Arcos studios. The album cover features a photograph by Augusto Cabrita.

<i>Com Que Voz</i> 1970 studio album by Amália Rodrigues

Com Que Voz is a fado album recorded by Amália Rodrigues in January 1969 and released in March 1970 on the EMI and Valentim de Carvalho labels. It reached No. 1 on the Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa (AFP) chart in Portugal. Amália was accompanied on the album by Pedro Leal on viola and José Fontes Rocha on Portuguese guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ithaka (artist)</span> American multidisciplinary artist from California

Ithaka Darin Pappas, known professionally as Ithaka, is an American-born multidisciplinary artist of Greek ancestry who creates using music, writing, sculpture and photography. He has authored a collection of short stories, entitled Ravenshark Chronicles published in international magazines and periodicals, which have sometimes been the basis for his travel-oriented lyrical content. In a 2005 article for the magazine Waves, journalist Ricardo Macario described Ithaka as "The Miscellaneous Man". In a 2008 review of Ithaka's sixth album Saltwater Nomad, the online surf-culture platform Surfline stated that "the artist effortlessly traverses at ease between all of his choses mediums of expression [music, sculpture, writing and photography]", and that "his life's journey is a soulful balancing act somewhere between the worlds of euphoric creation and aquatic diversion."

References

  1. 1 2 "General D". Discogs.
  2. 1 2 "Água d'Amanhã – Água d'Amanhã". Discogs.
  3. Carvalho, João. "Hip-Hop Tuga: The History Of Portuguese Hip-Hop". Culture Trip.
  4. 1 2 Belanciano, Vítor. "General D: Uma história nunca contada". PÚBLICO.
  5. "Norte-Sul – The Swedish Film Database".
  6. "General D – Rossio Music Publishing". www.rossiomusic.pt.
  7. Unknown. "General D — Portukkkal é Um Erro (1994) – As Nossas Raizes Vol.2".
  8. Nielsen Business Media, Inc (25 March 1995). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. via Internet Archive.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. "RAPRODUÇÕES DE MEMÓRIA, CULTURA POPULAR E SOCIEDADE: GENERAL D". Mural Sonoro by Soraia Simões.
  10. ""A história do hip-hop tuga" é contada esta sexta-feira no palco da Altice Arena em Lisboa". Jornal Expresso.
  11. "Mural Sonoro". Mural Sonoro by Soraia Simões.
  12. Warner Music Portugal (5 March 2018). "GENERAL D – Black Magic Woman – [ Official Music Video ]" via YouTube.
  13. "Biblioteca Municipal de Sobral de Monte Agraço". www.bibliotecasobral.com.pt.
  14. "Black Magic Woman — General D". Last.fm.
  15. 1 2 3 "General D – Kanimambo". Discogs.
  16. "Vítor Belanciano". IMDb.
  17. "Hip hop pioneer General D returns for hommage to 20 years of lusophone rap". 17 April 2019.
  18. ""A história do hip-hop tuga" e as raízes africanas – DW – 08.03.2019". DW.COM.
  19. pilar, patricia (8 March 2019). "The story of hip-hop 'tuga' is told today on the stage of Altice Arena". portugalinews.
  20. 1 2 "General D e Os Karapinhas* – Pé Na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu". Discogs.
  21. "Eazy-E – We Want Eazy (Remix)". Discogs.
  22. "N.W.A* – Express Yourself". Discogs.
  23. "General D – Kanimambo / Pé Na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu". Discogs.
  24. "General D – PortuKKKal". Discogs.
  25. https://www.discogs.com/General-D-Black-Magik-*1997 https://www.discogs.com/General-D-Rappi-Ta-Doddo/release/5804894/release/5314940
  26. "General D – Rappi Ta Doddo". Discogs.
  27. "General D – Estado De Sítio (O Ke É Ke Se Passa)". Discogs. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  28. "Pop Dell'Arte – Ready-Made". Discogs.
  29. "Cool Hipnoise – Nascer Do Soul". Discogs.
  30. Ithaka Official (7 April 2017). "Ithaka & General D "Erase The Slate Of Hate" (1995)" via YouTube.