About

Sounds of Brazil, known as S.O.B.’s, is a legendary live music venue in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of SoHo.

It was opened by owner and director Larry Gold in June 1982. Gold opened the venue with the purpose of exposing the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora to as many people as possible. True to its mission, S.O.B.’s has become renowned as the premier venue in New York City for Brazilian, African, Latin, R&B, Hip-Hop, Haitian, Caribbean, Alternative, and World music. Known as the place “where legends are made,” S.O.B.’s has been proud to serve as a launch-point for the music industry’s greatest rising stars, with over 40 years hosting the most iconic artists to date.

Among the first to take the stage were Latin legends Tito Puente, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, and Los Van Van. In the 90s, S.O.B.’s was solidified as Manhattan’s home of Hip Hop, hosting icons such as Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Mos Def, KRS-One, Tribe Called Quest, Talib Kweli, and more. This legacy continued into the 2000s and beyond, with contemporary superstars including Drake, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Jill Scott, Justin Timberlake, Cardi B, and more kickstarting their careers at the legendary venue. S.O.B.’s has also consistently booked alternative acts like Boy Pablo, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Lyn Lapid, and Icon for Hire. Today, S.O.B.’s draws both local and international crowds, providing a platform for emerging artists and industry veterans alike to share their music with New York City and beyond. 

Recent News:

In 2023, Mayor Eric Adams declared July 25th as “S.O.B.’s Day” in New York City, in honor of our 40 year anniversary. See here for the full story.

Check out our interview with NBC New York, highlighting the history of S.O.B.’s. Find the full video here.