Oliver Heldens and Ian Asher release a new version of the worldwide hit “Mas Que Nada“. The song is based on the spirit of Rio’s yearly Carnival. Jorge Ben originally wrote and sang the song. Sérgio Mendes and his famous band Brasil ’66 made it hugely popular around the world when they released a cover of it.
Ian Asher’s viral sound inspired the collaboration, catching Oliver Heldens‘ attention. Heldens added a funky bassline, creating a groovy, nostalgic anthem. Sérgio Mendes praised the effort, expressing enthusiasm for reinterpretations of his classic hit.
The history of Mas Que Nada and how the collaboration was born in Oliver Heldens, Ian Asher, and Sérgio Mendes’s words
“Mas Que Nada” reached #4 on the U.S. Billboard charts when it came out in 1966. It was admitted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013. The song is still an important part of Latin American culture and music.
I’ve always loved the vocals of the timeless ‘Mas Que Nada,’ and over the years, I must’ve played it in hundreds of my DJ sets in several mashups/remixes, which always got great reactions from the crowds. Last year I really liked what Ian did in his initial viral sound with the stuttering/gated vocal drop, so when he approached me to collaborate on it and finish it together, I had no doubts at all! I’m glad I could do my thing with it by adding a funky, distinctive melodic bassline while staying true to Ian’s initial idea, keeping the main focus on the stuttered ‘Mas Que Nada’ vocal. It’s been a pleasure working with Ian, and it’s such an honor to get the approval of the legendary Sergio Mendes! – Oliver Heldens
I teamed up with @IanAsherMusic to reimagine Sergio Mendes' classic 'Mas Que Nada'! 🎶 Honored to have the legend himself, Sergio Mendes, on board. Obrigado! 🙌🇧🇷 we hope you like it 🙂https://t.co/S269kYgj9t pic.twitter.com/dMXycG9eTN
— 🌴🦎Oliver Heldens 🐨🕺🏻 (@OliverHeldens) January 12, 2024
The song started as a sound that went viral when Ian Asher shared it in July 2023. Oliver Heldens then changed it into a happy, groovy, and nostalgic party song with lots of percussion. The legendary Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes praised the work.
It was fascinating to see the incredible reaction to Ian’s initial sampling of the song. It’s always flattering when young artists want to reinterpret one of my songs, and I’m eager to see what happens with this release – three-time Grammy Award® winner and Oscar®-nominated songwriter, Sérgio Mendes
Fans are crazy about this stuttery, high-energy dance hit. Since Ian Asher’s original sound post, over 175,000 user-generated videos have been posted on social media.
Asher is no stranger to making catchy reworks. In 2023, he made Jain’s “Makeba” famous again with a hugely popular TikTok remix. Since then the remix amassed 50 million plays around the world.
The new version of Mas Que Nada has rich production, uptempo energy, feel-good chords, and a stuttering voice that you can’t get out of your head for days.
I’m so excited to be working with one of my favorite artists Oliver Heldens, and the Brazilian legend Sérgio Mendes to rework his classic Mas Que Nada! I first posted a snippet of the edit last summer, and when I did, I had no idea that it would become such a viral moment that would be shared around the world… even being heard by Sérgio, the man himself who made the song famous so many years ago. After getting his blessing and working on it with Oliver, I think we made something that’ll be a weapon on the dance floors for many years to come. – Ian Asher
Olivia Heldens, Ian Asher, and Sergio Mendes‘ “Mas Que Nada” comes out on Easier Said on January 12.
