{{Short description|São Toméan Portuguese singer of jazz, world music and fado}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Marta Dias | image = Marta Dias.JPG | caption = Marta Dias c. 2006 | birth_name = Marta Dias | alias = | birth_date = 28 November 1964 | birth_place = São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe | instrument = Vocals | genre = World music, Fado, Jazz, Hip hop | occupation = vocalist, lyricist, songwriter | years_active = 1986–present | label = União Lisboa, Movieplay, BigBit }}
'''Marta Dias''' is a São Toméan Portuguese singer of jazz, world music and fado who has recorded several solo albums and has additionally recorded and toured extensively with guitarist António Chainho. She has also appeared on several hip hop releases, including the Ithaka song, ''Escape From The City Of Angels'', which appeared in Columbia Pictures's feature film release, The Replacement Killers in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/cantora-marta-dias-apresenta-novo-disco-na-damaia_v1104547|title=Cantora Marta Dias apresenta novo disco na Damaia|first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal-|last=RTP|website=www.rtp.pt|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
==Early life==
Marta Dias was born in São Tomé, the capital city of the Central African island nation of São Tomé and Principe, to a Portuguese mother and a São Toméan father. Her paternal grandmother was from Goa, India (which along with São Tomé is a former Portuguese colony). Her father, Nuno Xavier Dias, is credited as the person who proclaimed the liberation of São Tomé from colonial rule. The family relocated to the Lisbon area of Portugal when Marta was a young girl.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glammagazine.blogs.sapo.pt/marta-dias-apresenta-esse-meu-amor-1652903|title=Marta Dias apresenta… "Esse Meu Amor"|website=glammagazine.blogs.sapo.pt|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3WmJ8RFZCk|title=1975/07/12 | Proclamação da independência de S. Tomé e Príncipe|date=Aug 24, 2018|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.odisseiasnosmares.com/2018/07/independencia-de-tome-e-principe-43.html|title=Independência de Tomé e Príncipe, 43 anos depois – Almirante Rosa Coutinho e o Engº. Nuno Xavier – Protagonistas da assinatura, ambos já falecidos – O que fora então um grande dia de festa, na praça mais emblemática da capital, agora, em Guadalupe, distrito de Lubata, com a presença de mais militares e paramilitares de que massa popular – Num ato presidido pelo Presidente do Regime, Evaristo Carvalho, que, à semelhança do que já é costume, aproveitou para partidarizar o evento, enaltecendo “os ganhos que o país tem registado graças à acção do actual governo, que goza de estabilidade política e governativa, conquistada nas urnas em Outubro de 2014”|first=Postado por|last=canoasdomar|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telanon.info/suplemento/opiniao/2018/07/14/27409/a-proposito-do-dia-12-de-julho/|title=A Propósito do dia 12 de Julho|first=Téla|last=Nón|date=Jul 14, 2018|website=Téla Nón|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
She sang for the first time as a teenager at the Teatro de Animação de Setúbal in Setúbal, Portugal. Later, while briefly living in Germany, she studied vocals in Cologne with the Brazilian singer Marta Laurito.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://danielapress.eu/2017/08/marta-dias-num-ano-particularmente-criativo-a-cultura-esta-a-sofrer-com-o-fenomeno-mundial-da-massificacao/|title=Marta Dias num ano particularmente criativo: "A cultura está a sofrer com o fenómeno mundial da massificação" – DanielaPress|website=danielapress.eu|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
==Early career== Marta Dias' first professional recordings were with the pioneering, Lisbon-based Hip hop tuga artist General D, (originally from Mozambique). She was featured on his songs "Amigo Prekavido" and "Raiz Desenraizadao" for the album ''Pé Na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu'' (EMI-1995), one of the first hip hop releases in Portugal. The recording (and concerts) with General D led to more acquaintances within the Lisbon music community. She soon recorded the song, "Bairro De Lata" with the jazzy hip hop band, Cool Hipnoise and also recorded the songs "Good Cookies", "Umbilibus" and "Escape From The City Of Angels" with Ithaka Darin Pappas, a Greek-American artist residing in Portugal, for his album Flowers and the Color of Paint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voxmedia.uc.pt/index.php/2017/03/28/rapublicar-a-micro-historia-que-fez-historia-numa-lisboa-adiada-1986-1996/|title=RAPublicar: A micro história que fez história numa Lisboa adiada – 1986–1996 | Vox Media|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
In 1996, Marta recorded her first solo album, "Y.U.É" produced and composed by UK musician Jonathan Miller for the Portuguese label, União Lisboa. Californian songwriter, Ithaka provided lyrics for two of the tracks, "Learn To Fly" and "Look To The Blue", (on ''Look to the Blue'', Ithaka also appeared as a guest vocalist). The album earned Marta the "Best Female Vocalist" award at Channel SICTV's annual televised Premios Blitz, (the Portuguese "Grammy Award".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profelectro.info/fm/?p=5300|title=Marta Dias – "Yué" | fmstereo|website=www.profelectro.info|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
António Chainho and Marta Dias performed together for the first time in November 1998, at a concert in honor of the guitarist's 30-year career. Marta Dia sang "Barco Negro" and "Nemes Paredes I confess". It was the beginning of a musical association that would last almost a decade.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cm-pontedelima.pt/pages/662?event_id=2957|title=António Chainho & Marta Dias|website=www.cm-pontedelima.pt|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlaslisboa.com/event/live-music-antonio-chainho-and-marta-dias-baixa-free/|title=LIVE MUSIC | António Chaínho and Marta Dias | Baixa | FREE|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
Through the years, she continued to collaborate with other artists on both recordings and live performances. In 1997, she appeared on Ithaka's track "Ursula Of Ithaka" for the album, Stellafly. In 1998, she performed with singing star Kika Santos at the Expo '98 ((1998 Lisbon World Exposition). The song, "Amazing Grace" by African Voices. "Invisivel" by Fernando Cunha for his album Só Há Tempo P´ra Viver Agora. The song and "Nada Mudou" by Santos e Pecadores. In 1999, she also participated on TV personality Herman José's Christmas album.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://worldmusiccentral.org/2017/08/27/captivating-music-and-poetry-of-sao-tome-and-principe/|title=Captivating Music and Poetry of Sao Tome and Principe | World Music Central.org|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
In 1999, Marta Dias release her second solo effort entitled "Aqui"(Here), which included several cover versions by known Portuguese language artist such as; "Dream" originally by Madredeus, Madresongs such as "Fado Morno", the traditional Galician "En el Sagrado en Vigo", from the songbook of Martim Codax, "Toxicity" of the GNR, Madredeus "Dream", "Eu Contigo "by Sérgio Godinho," Ossobô ", by the Brazilian Marcelo da Veiga," Grão de Arroz "," Senhora "by João Roiz de Castel-Branco," Sou Tua "or" Ahora Baixou o Sol ", this collection Giacometti. This album was nominated for the José Afonso Awards. Until the end of 2001, Marta Dias toured nationally with the songs from Aqui, also performing concerts in Spain and special a concert in São Paulo, Brazil with Ney Matogrosso, in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil.<ref name="auto5"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tab.uol.com.br/videos/?id=ney-matogrosso-e-marta-dias--rosa-de-hiroshima-04023562CC812366|title=Ney Matogrosso e Marta Dias – Rosa de Hiroshima|website=tab.uol.com.br|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/acontece/ac1308200001.htm|title=Folha de S.Paulo – Música: Ney Matogrosso leva luz e canções de "Vivo" ao ar livre – 13/08/2000|website=www1.folha.uol.com.br|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
In 2003, António Chaínho and Marta Dias, after years of touring internationally together since 1998 released the album "Ao Vivo no CCB" (Live at the Centre Cultural de Bélem, Lisbon), recorded January 28 and 29 of 2003. The record includes seven original tracks, four of which having never been recorded before. The two have continued to collaborate on recordings and live concerts until today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observador.pt/2018/01/27/antonio-chainho-faz-80-anos-e-estreia-hoje-um-novo-tema-em-direto-na-internet/|title=António Chainho faz 80 anos e estreia hoje um novo tema em direto na Internet|first1=Agência|last1=Lusa|website=Observador|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.antoniochainho.com/conteudo/discografia/disco-antonio-chainho-e-marta-dias-ao-vivo-no-ccb|title=António Chainho e Marta Dias ao vivo no CCB|website=www.antoniochainho.com|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
==Recent career== Marta Dias released the album "Quantas Tribos" in 2016. The album is a tribute to five of the greatest poets from São Tomé and Príncipe; Maria Manuela Margarido, Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo, Francisco José Tenreiro, Fernando de Macedo and Conceição Lima. The album uses these classic poems as lyrical content, intertwining Marta's vocals over instrumental compositions provided by the classical guitarist, Oswaldo Santos. Vocalist Carmen Souza participates on the song in "Os Rios Da Tribo" and Angolan poet/vocalist appears Kalaf on the song, "Humanidade".<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/antena1/discos/marta-dias-quantas-tribost_9134|title=Marta Dias – "Quantas Tribos?" – Discos|first=RTP, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal-|last=Antena1|website=Antena1 – RTP|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marta-omeucanto.blogs.sapo.pt/a-conversa-com-marta-dias-665432|title=À Conversa com Marta Dias|website=marta-omeucanto.blogs.sapo.pt|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buala.org/en/da-fala/oswaldo-santos-concerto-no-teatro-taborda|title=Oswaldo Santos – Concerto no Teatro Taborda | BUALA|website=www.buala.org|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.redeangola.info/kalaf-epalanga-no-novo-disco-de-marta-dias/|title=Kalaf Epalanga no novo disco de Marta Dias|date=Jan 21, 2016|website=Rede Angola – Notícias independentes sobre Angola|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
In 2018, Marta Dias and Goan pianist Carlos Barreto Xavier collaborated on the album, "Bandida", consisting of twelve tracks, using both traditional Portuguese music blending with more modern urbans sounds. The album also features percussionist Ruca Rebordão and Yuri Daniel on electric bass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mixcloud.com/terrapura/entrevista-marta-dias-e-carlos-barreto-xavier-bandida/?play=fb|title=Entrevista Marta Dias e Carlos Barreto Xavier | Bandida|first=Terra Pura|last=Radio|website=Mixcloud|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://remusart.blogspot.com/2018/07/projecto-bandida-com-marta-dias-e.html|title=Projecto Bandida, com Marta Dias e Carlos Barreto Xavier, já à venda|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvi.iol.pt/vocenatv/videos/marta-dias-apresenta-novo-album/5b5ae8210cf282952f034e9c|title=Marta Dias apresenta novo álbum|website=tvi.iol.pt|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
==Albums== *1996 Marta Dias – "Y.U.É" – Label: União Lisboa Label: União Lisboa *1999 Marta Dias – "Aqui" – Label: Farol Música *2003 António Chainho & Marta Dias "Ao Vivo No CCB" (Live at the Centro Cultural de Bélem) Label: Movieplay *2016 Marta Dias "Quantas Tribos" (With guests: Costa Neto, Carmen Souza) Label: Bigbit <ref name="auto6"/> *2018 Marta Dias and Barreto Xavier "Bandida"<ref name="auto3"/>
==Singles== *1996 Marta Dias "Gritar" – Label: União Lisboa *1996 Marta Dias "Mouraria" – Label: União Lisboa *2006 Marta Dias & António Chainho "Fado Tão Bom" – Label: Movieplay
==Appearances on compilations== *2005 LJS & Marta Dias "Barca Bela" Album: Composto De Mudança (Música Para Se Deixar Levar)Label: Som Livre *2006 Marta Dias & António Chainho "Fado Tão Bom" – Label: Movieplay
==Guest appearances== *1995 "Amigo Prekavido" General D feat. Marta Dias – Album: Pé Na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu – Label: EMI *1995 "Raiz Desenraizadao "General D feat. Marta Dias – Album: Pé Na Tchôn, Karapinha Na Céu – Label: EMI *1995 "Escape From The City Of Angels" Ithaka feat. Marta Dias – Album: Flowers And The Color Of Paint *1995 "Goodcookies" Ithaka feat' Marta Dias – Album: Flowers And The Color Of Paint *1995 "The Umbilibus"Ithaka feat. Lince & Marta Dias – Album: Flowers And The Color Of Paint *1995 Ithaka feat. Marta Dias "Escape From The City Of Angels" Album: Flowers And The Color Of Paint *1995 "Bairro de Lata – Cool Hipnoise feat. Marta Dias – Album: Nascer Do Soul – Label:NorteSul/Valentim de Carvalho *1997 "Ekos Do Passado" General D feat. Marta Dias & Ithaka – ALbum: Kanimambo – Label: EMI<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT_dsdr-poA|title=General D "Ekos Do Passado" (featuring. Marta Dias, Ithaka, Djoek) 1997|date=Dec 16, 2008|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref> *1997 "Ursula Of Ithaka" Ithaka feat. Marta Dias – Album: Stellafly – Label: Nortesul/Valentim de Carvalho<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuzjRLF1jLs|title=ITHAKA "Ursula Of Ithaka" (ft. Marta Dias)|date=Jan 7, 2009|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref> *1997 "Nobody Knows" Marta Dias and African Voices<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shazam.com/track/40765744/nobody-knows|title=Shazam|website=Shazam|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref> *1997 "Nada Mudou" – Santos e Pecadores<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spirit-of-rock.com/pt/discography/Santos_e_Pecadores/1|title=Santos e Pecadores – discografia completa|website=www.spirit-of-rock.com|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}</ref> *1998 "Fadinho Simples" – António Chainho *1998 "Só Há Tempo P´ra Viver Agora" Fernando Cunha feat. Marta Dias – Label: BMG *1999 "Silent Night" – Herman José [1999] *2011 "Luminoso" Fernando Alvim – Album: Fados & Canções – Label: Universal Music Group *2012 "Fadinho Simples" António Chainho feat. Marta Dias – Album: Entre Amigos – Label: Movieplay *2017 O Homem do Fraque" Dizzy – Album: O Homem Invisível
==''The Replacement Killers''== In 1998, three years after its release, the Ithaka song "Escape From The City Of Angels" (that featured Marta Dias in the infectious choruses) was used in the soundtrack of director Antoine Fuqua's feature film debut Replacement Killers released by Columbia Pictures. The song played during a critical getaway scene that involved the actors; Chinese superstar Chow Yun-fat, Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino and Screen Actors Guild Award "Best Actor" winner Clifton Collins Jr. Other musical artists on the soundtrack included; The Crystal Method, Talvin Singh, Tricky, Death in Vegas, Hed PE, and Brad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvwH1UvJ0B8|title=ITHAKA "Escape From The City Of Angels" (Replacement Killers)|date=Sep 28, 2007|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120008/soundtrack|title=The Replacement Killers (1998) – IMDb|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKRSBQGJoD4|title=The Replacement Killers soundtrack – Ithaka – Escape From the City of Angels|date=Jun 2, 2013|accessdate=May 28, 2019|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ringostrack.com:443/en/movie/the-replacement-killers/49981|title=The Replacement Killers (1998) Soundtrack|website=RingosTrack|accessdate=May 28, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514022710/https://ringostrack.com/en/movie/the-replacement-killers/49981|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==External links== * {{discogs artist|709042-Marta-Dias}} * [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marta-Dias/159405960786811 Facebook]
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dias, Marta}} Category:Living people Category:20th-century Portuguese women singers Category:Portuguese fado singers Category:Singers from Lisbon Category:Portuguese hip-hop musicians Category:1964 births Category:21st-century Portuguese women singers Category:São Tomé and Príncipe emigrants to Portugal