Yussef formed in São Paulo around 2013, with vocalist Yussef leading a group that included guitarist Marcelo Cabral, bassist Duda Lima, and drummer Tarcisio Araújo. Their debut album 'Cama Elástica' came out in 2015, giving them a national platform with its title track. The record mixed Afrobeat rhythms with soul vocals, though some critics questioned their approach to the genre.
They followed up with 'Tributo aos Novos Baianos,' an album that nodded to the classic Brazilian band while folding in funk and MPB elements. Later, 'Guapa' leaned more into electronic textures while keeping those rhythmic foundations. The lineup shifted over time, with Binho replacing Cabral on guitar in 2018.
Songs like 'It's Alright' and 'Lady Sadness' show their range, from upbeat grooves to more reflective moods. They've worked with figures like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, and their lyrics often touch on social themes without becoming sloganeering.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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