Edinho Ribeiro

Edinho Ribeiro grew up in Madureira, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro where samba was part of everyday life. He learned to play cavaquinho and write songs, drawing from older samba composers like Cartola and Nelson Cavaquinho. His music was made for Carnival parades, a style called samba-enredo.

In 1990, his song 'Paulo Henrique Ganso' became widely popular. The track was about a Flamengo soccer player, and its straightforward melody connected with listeners. Other songs like 'Ouro e Prata' and 'Maravilha Maralivia' followed, though some of his lyrics touched on social issues that drew criticism. Radio stations and Carnival competitions occasionally kept his work off the air.

He recorded albums such as 'O Samba do Crioulo Doido' in 1992 and 'Samba de Terreiro' in 1996. Musicians like Zeca Pagodinho worked with him, and his band at times included players such as Eduardo Gallotti on guitar. The sound stayed rooted in samba but sometimes incorporated other styles.