5 Generais

5 Generais formed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1980s, with founding members Wagner "Xará" Ribeiro, Alexandre "Alê" Lourenço, and Marcos "Marcão" Vinicius. Their debut album "Naturalmente" came out in 1993, and the title track became an anthem in Rio's favelas. The group's music often addressed social issues like racism and poverty, which sometimes brought them into conflict with authorities.

In 1997, their album "Nação Hip-Hop" included the song "Estrela da Morte," a sharp critique of police violence that drew criticism from law enforcement. Other tracks like "A Última Gota" and "Andando Pelas Ruas" continued their streetwise narratives. Over time, their sound incorporated elements of samba, funk, and reggae alongside their hip-hop foundation.

The band released seven studio albums through 2013, including "Killagrama" in 2003 and a self-titled album in 2007. Their lineup expanded to include DJ Fábio "Magrão" da Silva, percussionist Paulo "Coroa" Guimarães, bassist Carlos "Gordão" Mendes, and drummer Márcio "Marcinho" dos Santos.