Grupo Raça

Grupo Raça came together in 1985 when Marley on ganzá and Mongol on tantã assembled the lineup that also featured Délcio Luiz on banjo, Paulinho Carvalho on cavaquinho, Totonho on pandeiro, and Valney on repique. In those early years the musicians provided accompaniment for Zeca Pagodinho, Leci Brandão, and Ivone Lara. Their debut album under their own name, Grupo Raça, appeared in 1987. Three years afterward the single “Dona da Minha Sina,” written by Nelson Rufino and Tião Motorista, brought them wider attention, while “O Teu Chamego” from 1992 added another hit to their catalog. Emerging in the wake of the pagode revival, the ensemble initially retained the core traits of traditional samba, yet the sound soon shifted toward lush romantic melodies and delivery. The group earned the Troféu Imprensa for Best Group, the Prêmio Sharp for Best Album, and two Antena de Ouro honors—one for Best Group and one for Best Album. Their 1994 release Jeito de Felicidade became the top seller for their label that year. International performances took them across the United States, Switzerland, and Germany, where audiences in various Latin American markets and U.S. Latino communities also embraced their work.