A major figure in visionary r&b, the American Contour reinvents the possible ways of expressing an autobiographical work. Narratives, memories and unique songs that fit between the heritage of the classics and the possibilities of the avant-garde. He circulates, by magnetic call, through rap or jazz with the same gusto with which he peers over the rainbow of psychedelia. Two albums have made his name one of the most quoted at the moment – and one of the guests on Loraine James’ next album. This versatility in expanding into different cosmologies makes him infallible in the act of astonishing those who listen to him.

The latest Onwards! is a kind of instant classic. Espiritualmente revolucionário, coleciona versos urbanos num disco cinematográfico como sabe ser. Trouxe a diáspora e a ousadia consigo, iluminado por Sun Ra, Stevie Wonders ou Erykah Badu, numa viagem sensorial de ritmos e palavra. O tom confessional que atravessa o seu trabalho permite a entrada em recantos da mente, porém guia-nos igualmente para esse confronto com o dito real. A realidade histórica, social e política que Contour se debruça com emoção. Pelo uso a material de arquivo como interlúdios e uma lírica cronista e eficazmente inteligente, recorda-nos a estreia de Kendrick Lamar; no entanto, paira por aqui mais céu e lua, mais meditação activa. A imensidão de retalhos aveludados com que opera dá-nos a pista para uma criatividade multifacetada, consciente do seu tempo. NA

Gonçalo Lopes aka gonsalocomc is a producer/beatmaker from Braga with an abstract, nostalgic, dirty and more relaxed take on the national hip-hop sound. Using Jazz, Funk, Soul and RnB samples, the influence of these genres is noticeable among the subtly clumsy rhythms of his instrumentals. He produced the EP “Mal Passado Bem Pensado”, a collaborative project with Wugorila (2020) and a third of the beattape “Vigairada” with Herege and DoisPês (2022).

oseias., an Angolan artist, has already published several works, including “seis.”, by Slow Habits, and more recently “loops[2].”. His instrumental pieces are marked by unpredictable rhythms and swings and by his influences, which range from jazz and soul to hip-hop and electronic music. Also known for his DJ sets, and a regular presence on Portuguese nights, oseias. is now taking to the stage in concert format.