Aurea

Áurea Isabel Ramos de Sousa, (Santiago do Cacém, September 7, 1987), better known as Aurea, is a Portuguese singer, songwriter and actress.

Aurea has been a milestone in Portuguese music, leading her to be the New Queen of Portuguese Music, being a landmark and influence for the new generation and representing the modernization of Portuguese music. Aurea is one of the most distinguished and successful names in Portuguese music since the beginning of the 2010s.

Among her influences are names like Aretha Franklin, Joss Stone, John Mayer, Amy Winehouse, James Morrison and even Zero 7.

From an early age she stated that she wanted to be an actress and in 2005 she attended the Theater course at the University of Évora where her friend Rui Ribeiro discovered her talent for music.

They recorded a model and the theme “Okay Alright” was chosen to be part of the soundtrack of the series “Morangos com Açúcar”. In 2008 she collaborates with Vintém (ex-D’ZRT) on the theme “É só conversation” from her first solo album. In December of that year, he participated in the concert “Morangos Ao Vivo” held at Pavilhão Atlântico, where he sang live the theme “Okay Alright” and also versions of “No One” (duet with Vintém) and “Valerie” (duet with Cifrão).

The eponymous debut album was released on September 27, 2010, having reached the first place on the chart in Portugal, staying eight weeks in a row in the 1st place. Rui Ribeiro was the author of 9 of the 10 songs on his debut album, which clearly marks pop and soul influences. The album was produced by João Matos and Ricardo Ferreira.

The album Viva Elvis The Album, released on November 9, 2010, includes a new version of “Love Me Tender”, in a virtual duet in which the king’s voice was added next to Aurea’s.

In May 2011, Aurea’s talent was recognized at the Golden Globes gala, where she was awarded an award in the category of Best Individual Performer.

In 2011 she won the “Best Portuguese Act” category at the MTV Europe Music Awards. That same year, the album Aurea – Ao Vivo no Coliseu dos Recreios was released, recording a version of “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” for a TMN advertisement.

The second studio album, entitled Soul Notes, was released on November 26, 2012. The lead single “Scratch My Back” premiered the month before. The album was produced by Blim Records and again featured the collaboration of Rui Ribeiro and Ricardo Ferreira.

The song Scratch My Back was for the Brazilian series Malhação. Her song Busy (for me) was for the telenovela Amor à Vida.

She again won Best Portuguese Act at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards and was thus automatically nominated for the award.

“Worldwide Act” that took place in Frankfurt, Germany on November 11, 2012.

In 2013 she participated in Rock in Rio together with the band The Black Mamba. In 2014 she participated in the Brazilian edition of Rock In Rio together with Boss AC. In 2015, she was part of the jury of the 3rd edition of The Voice Portugal.

In March 2016 she released the album Restart which was produced by Cindy Blackman and Jack Davies, having been recorded in Las Vegas. The album marks her debut as a songwriter, signing the tracks “Hold Me In Your Arms” and “Saint and Sinners”. Restart features songs like “I Didn’t Mean It” and “Restart”. She records the theme song for the telenovela “A Impostora”.

Saint and Sinners went to the Brazilian series Rock Story.

In 2016, he again integrates the jury of the 4th edition of The Voice Portugal contest.

In 2017 she records a version of “Starman” in the tribute to David Bowie organized by David Fonseca. In September 2017 she continues to mentor the 5th edition of The Voice Portugal contest.

In May 2018, he released the album “Confessions” where he wanted to record some of the stories or ‘secrets’ that he was confided to at various times in his life. Confessions features songs like “Done With You” and “Thrill Seeker”

In September 2018 she continues to mentor the 6th edition of The Voice Portugal contest.

In 2019, after talking about wanting to return to represent Aurea, he recorded a short film called “A Escritora” and played a role in the SIC soap opera “Nazaré” after having participated in the SIC soap opera “Alma e Coração (telenovela) “

In 2019 she continues as a mentor on The Voice Portugal.
Still in 2019, together with Marisa Liz, she formed the project Elas

On September 27, 2020, she makes her 6th edition as a mentor of The Voice Portugal.

“Frágil” appears in mid-April 2021 and is the motto for her new album. Composed by Agir, the new album will have a greater composition coming from Aurea, in addition to artists from the new generation of Portuguese music also working on the album. Rui Ribeiro will probably not be on the album, as he will leave for China. Rumors indicate that Diogo Piçarra will have a song on the new album, which has not been confirmed, but during an Instagram live it was revealed that “a fellow judge” collaborated on a song for the album. The most likely is Diogo, as he is part of the new generation of Portuguese composers.

The album will be released at the end of 2022, but due to COVID-19 the future of the album is uncertain. The theme was presented on The Voice Kids Portugal. Rumors indicate that Charlie Beats will also be working on the disc. Aurea, Charlie Beats, Agir, Diogo Piçarra and Jonny Abbey are the names that will probably be collaborating on the album.

That same year, she makes the 7th edition as a mentor of The Voice Portugal and is part of the theme “Leva-Me A Viajar” by the Sara Carreira Association.

In 2022, she participates in the Festival RTP da Canção 2022, with a 5th place, and according to bookmakers she was the favorite to win, with the song “Why?”. The theme has lyrics by Aurea.