Mas que nada is a samba, samba rock and bossa nova song written by Jorge Ben Jor, credited as Jorge Ben, who is credited as both composer and lyricist. Jorge Ben e Os Copa 5 recorded it in 1963 for the debut album Samba Esquema Novo on Philips, and it was also released as a single, produced by Armando Pittigliani. Its melody and vocalisations draw on José Prates' "Nanã Imborô" (1958).
The Tamba Trio recorded it in 1963, and their version was later used in Nike's 1998 "Airport '98" commercial, directed by John Woo. Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66 released a 1966 version that reached No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on Easy Listening, and it is better known outside Brazil than the original. Mendes re-recorded it in 1989 on Arara, and his 2006 version with The Black Eyed Peas and will.i.am was a single from the album Timeless. Rolling Stone Brasil ranked it fifth among the greatest Brazilian songs.
