Edilson Mendonça

Edilson Mendonça came up in Salvador, Bahia, where he first heard samba and protest songs that seemed to speak to the life around him. His song 'Não Posso' became a hit in the early 1990s, a ballad about forbidden love that connected with listeners across Brazil.

He's had his share of personal struggles, which sometimes surfaced in his music and drew criticism from some quarters. But his fans have stuck with him, finding something genuine in songs like 'Quem sabe' and 'Tolo' that keeps them listening.

In more recent years, he's turned toward faith and social justice themes, using his music to talk about poverty and addiction. He still writes and performs, keeping that direct connection with his audience.