When i first started hearing about Buraka Som Sistema, my sophomoric mind kept running to 1993′s classic Mortal Kombat II character Baraka and his fatality. But this Lisbon based group hits way harder than any fatality, animality, brutality or babality (oops) put together! Comprised of two MC’s, Kalaf and Conductor, and two DJ/Producers, Riot and J-Wow, the group have spearheaded the current rise of tropical influenced dance music by infusing classic Kuduro beat with techno and rave elements.

In 2006, J- Wow and Kalaf started their own imprint called Enchufada to release their signature creations and waited for the rest of the world to catch-up. In 2008 when they released “The Sound of Kuduro” featuring M.I.A., DJ Znobia, Saborosa and Puto Prato, the world was finally ready and listening.

In 2008 they also released their pivotal Black Diamond album featuring the smash hit “Kalemba (Wegue Wegue)” featuring Pongolove, earning them the Best Portuguese Act at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. “Kalemba” is still currently in heavy rotation and in two years has been full stamped a classic tropical track.

Many producers have since adopted this sound and have tried to make it their own by either adding more house/deep house harmonies, or going even more tropical sounding instruments. Unfortunately most completely miss the mark and sound that Buraka Som Sistema has not only spearheaded but keep a stranglehold over.

The group have been  spreading their Tropical gospel worldwide through their eclectic DJ sets and energetic live shows. During a recent trip to New York, they absolutely destroyed HARD NYC playing in support of Major Lazer and Boys Noize, leaving many a party goer unconscious.

The guys have just released an epic BB1 Essential Mix chock full of bouncy bangers that’s been on heavy rotation here for days… unfortunately it doesn’t including J-Wow’s ravey new release “Klang” but you can catch a lot of other Buraka tracks alongside Nightslugs, Enchufada and Sound Pellegrino releases.

- Shark