Our Story
Sounds of Brazil, known as SOB’s, is a legendary live music club in downtown Manhattan.
Founded in 1982 by owner and director Larry Gold, SOB’s was opened with a mission to amplify the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora. Independently owned and operated for over 40 years, the venue is known as one of the first clubs to bring Hip Hop, R&B, Latin, African, Caribbean, Haitian, Brazilian, South Asian, Alternative, and world music to the New York City stage.
Often referred to as “the place where legends are made,” SOB’s has been proud to serve as a launch-point for the music industry’s greatest rising stars, with alumni spanning every genre and corner of the globe. After four decades of shaping New York City nightlife, SOB’s continues to define what’s next — introducing the next generation of artists and sounds to the city’s stage.
LATIN
From day one, SOB’s has served as a hubspot for Latin music, hosting the early NYC appearances of legends like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, La India, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, and Los Van Van, followed by contemporary icons like Pitbull, Calle 13, Kali Uchis, Cazzu, Danny Lux, and Tego Calderón.
HIP HOP
By the early 1990s, SOB’s was cemented as Manhattan’s home of Hip Hop, with performances from Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Rakim, Outkast, De La Soul, Salt-N-Pepa, Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Mobb Deep, Pete Rock, THE LOX, Mos Def, and Nipsey Hussle. In later years, the torch was carried by icons like Talib Kweli, Common, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, The Alchemist, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Mac Miller, Future, Chance The Rapper, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doechii, and Doja Cat.
R&B, SOUL, FUNK
Serving as a launchpad for the greatest voices in soul and R&B, amongst those to take the SOB’s stage include Gil Scott-Heron, Questlove, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Etta James, Floetry, D’Angelo, SWV, Musiq Soulchild, Ohio Players, and Kool & The Gang, followed by The Weeknd, John Legend, H.E.R., SZA, Anderson .Paak, Khalid, Jorja Smith, Bryson Tiller, Usher, Teyana Taylor, Solange, Ella Mai, Kelis, and Roy Ayers.
CARIBBEAN, REGGAE, DANCEHALL
A cornerstone for Caribbean culture since the 1980s, SOB’s has hosted icons including Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Toots and the Maytals, Tabou Combo, Alison Hinds, Buju Banton, The Marley Brothers, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Chronixx, Wyclef Jean, Machel Montano, Sean Paul, Sweet Micky, and Kassav’.
AFRICAN & AFROBEATS
A hub for both traditional African music and contemporary afrobeats since the 1980s, SOB’s has welcomed Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela, Youssou N’Dour, King Sunny Adé, Baaba Maal, and Thomas Mapfumo, to the stage, followed by modern afrobeats stars like Wizkid, Tems, Davido, Rema, Adekunle Gold, Lojay, and Ruger.
BRAZILIAN
True to its name, SOB’s has long championed Brazilian music, hosting legendary acts like Gilberto Gil, Jorge Ben Jor, Martinho da Vila, Astrud Gilberto, Marisa Monte, Seu Jorge, Olodum, and Ed Motta in its early years.
ALT, ROCK, & OTHER ICONIC PERFORMERS
Beyond its global music focus, SOB’s has also provided a stage for boundary-breaking artists across genres, from cultural icons like David Bowie, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Phil Lesh, Lou Reed, David Byrne, and Stevie Wonder, to contemporary DJs and artists like Major Lazer, A-Trak, Mark Ronson, Boy Pablo, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Lyn Lapid, and Icon for Hire.
