"Mas que nada" (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation:[ma(j)skiˈnadɐ]) is a song written and originally recorded in 1963 byJorge Ben (currently known as Jorge Ben Jor) on his debut albumSamba esquema novo. The song was covered in 1966 bySérgio Mendes, becoming one of the latter's signature works. It was voted by the Brazilian edition ofRolling Stone as the fifth-greatest Brazilian song.[1] It was inducted to theLatin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.[2]
In 1958, Brazilian artist José Prates recorded a track called "Nanã Imborô" that appears on his albumTam... Tam... Tam...! (1958, Polydor Brasil – LPNG 4.016), which features the underlying melody and vocalizations later used by Jorge Ben in "Mas que nada"; these motifs would be further highlighted by Sergio Mendes’ arrangement in his version of the song in 1966.[3][4][5][6]
Sérgio Mendes covered the song with his band Brasil '66 on their debut album,Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (1966). In the United States, the single reached number 47 on the USBillboard Hot 100, and number four on theBillboardEasy Listening chart. In Canada it reached number 54.[7] Outside of Brazil this 1966 version is better known than Jorge Ben's original and, to many, the definitive version of the song.[8][9] In 1989, Mendes re-recorded the song on his albumArara.
In 2006, Mendes again re-recorded the song, this time with American musical groupthe Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife,Gracinha Leporace, for his albumTimeless. This version contains a sample of the Black Eyed Peas' 2004 single "Hey Mama".[11] The song topped the charts of Hungary and the Netherlands and peaked at number six on theUK Singles Chart. This version was included in the 2011 animated filmRio (along with another version recorded in the style of Brasil '66 and also coincidentally featured one of the members,will.i.am, with a voice role in the film as Pedro thered-crested cardinal, one of the main characters of the film) and its soundtrack.[12]
^"Mendes on menu at Starbucks".Music Week. 24 June 2006. p. 22....Mas Que Nada which features The Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am and is released commercially today (Monday).
^Mas que Nada (European CD single liner notes). Sérgio Mendes. Concord Records, Hear Music, will.i.am Music Group. 2006. 0602498596302.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Mas que Nada (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). Sérgio Mendes. Concord Records, Hear Music, will.i.am Music Group. 2006. 06025 1702230 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Mas que Nada (German maxi-CD single liner notes). Sérgio Mendes. Concord Records, Hear Music, will.i.am Music Group. 2006. 0602498596319.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
