Edgard Ferreira

Edgard Ferreira came up in Salvador, Bahia, where he sang in a church choir as a kid. In the late 1970s, he joined the band CMA as a vocalist and percussionist, putting out albums that leaned into reggae with some social commentary in the lyrics.

He went solo in 1983 with an album called 'Reggae da Família.' The title track became a hit across Brazil, a straightforward reggae tune about unity that people latched onto. It's still the song most associated with him.

After that, he kept recording through the '80s and '90s, with albums like 'Esperança,' 'Rasta Reggae,' and 'Reggae Sem Fronteiras.' He worked with musicians like bassist David Santos and guitarist Marcos Souza. Some reggae traditionalists early on questioned his approach, but he kept making music.