Bio
Award-winning singer/songwriter Soraia Drummond is one of the leading lights on Salvador’s high-grade reggae scene. After touring with the late great Gregory Isaacs, she took an extended trip to Kingston, Jamaica and worked with legends such as Sly & Robbie and Mad Professor. Back in Salvador she recorded her impressive debut album, and had several tracks picked up for release on compilations by UK labels such as Mais Um Discos (Daora, 2013) and Far Out (Brazilian Bass, 2014). A gifted daughter of Bahia - Brazil's reggae heartland - Soraia has taken her energetic live show combining Jamaican and Brazilian vibes on tours across Brazil and Europe.
Born in the City of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Soraia was revealed at Gregory Isaacs show on 07.07.07, since then Soraia has performed in many reggae festivals, such as the Kalau Festival in St. Lucia, with Gregory Isaacs in tours around Europe, as well as in the Jamaican traditional summer Reggae festival: Reggae Sumfest. She has played on stage with Gregory Issacs, Alpha Blondy, The Wailers, The I Threes, Dean Fraser, Mad Professor, Eek-a-Mouse, Talib Kweli, Steel Pulse, Manu Chao, Earl Sixteen and others.
In August 2013 represented the state of Bahia at Festival Spirit Provance in France.
In May 2014 the Bass Culture Clash: Brazil x England presented her UK debut.
From June to August 2014 held her first tour throughout Europe performing in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Vienna and several cities of Italy like Roma, Bologna, Brienza, Potenza, Matera, Baragiano, Atella and Titus, being crowned by local press as the Queen of Basilicata.
In September 2014 performed at Gungo Walk Alternative World Music & Arts Festival in Kingston-Jamaica, representing the Brazilian Reggae Culture in the land of King Bob Marley.
From June to September 2015 held her second tour through Europe performing at big festivals like PlayGreen Festival, Ariano Folk Festival, Rockers Calore Festival, Metaponto Beach Festival and at Athens - Greece, where her new single "Novo dia" produced by the duo supersan is very successful.
In 2016 performed her third tour in Europe, performing in Italy in several cities such as Rome at the annual Romamuffing festival, in Potenza, Piceno and Tito participating in the release of the Basic One collection, in addition to performing in Paris and Amsterdam where she performed three shows at the Noorderlicht, Munganga Theater and Blijburg.
In May 2017 returns to Europe for another tour.
Awards:
In 2010, Soraia Drummond was honored with the Rumos Itaú 2010 Award for her music “Estamos em pleno Mar”. She drew inspiration from Castro Alves’ poem “O Navio Negreiro”.
In 2012 was awarded by Conexão Vivo na Sala do Coro at Teatro Castro Alves. Soraia Drummond recorded her first live DVD by Conexão Vivo featuring new music from Bahia.
The song "Sorriso forte na luta" was selected to compose the compilation Volume 3 of Bahia Music Export. The curator of the tracks for this collection was conducted between July and August 2012, by the music critic Jody Gillett, English, specialist agent of Brazilian music, part of the Free Associates / London, and consultant BM & A - Brazil Music and Art. "Sorriso forte na luta" also appears on the 846th position of Top 1000 World Music Charts in 2012 alongside namos like Criolo, Céu, Lenine, Chico Buarque, Caetano Velozo e Gilberto Gil.
The song "Eu acho é pouco" was selected to appear in the promotional CD "Brazilian Culture Bass & Beyond," on the same disc are artists like B'Negão, Real da Rima, Bixiga 70, Fernandinho Beatbox, Aton Dub, etc.
In 2013 The song "Irie feeling" was selected to appear in the promotional CD "Bahia Bass Culture - Volume 5" project by Bahia Music Export, part of the Mobility Program of Arts and Culture, sponsored by the Department of Culture from the State of Bahia (SecultBA) and the Cultural Foundation from the State of Bahia (FUNCEB), the launch and initial distribution of the collection was at WOMEX - World Music Expo, one of the most important trade shows and opportunities of the international music market.
In 2014 she was nominated for the Brazilian Music Award in the category independent artist.