Léo Richar

Léo Richar came up in Recife, a coastal city in Brazil. His music pulls from samba, bossa nova, and rhythms with African roots, which gives his songs a particular feel. The track 'Afro-Brasileiro' from 1989 became something of an anthem for him, touching on cultural pride and identity.

His lyrics often dealt with social issues, sometimes directly. In 1990, a song called 'Só Quero Ser Feliz' sparked a public conversation about homosexuality and prejudice. He kept writing about race, poverty, and inequality in songs like 'Amor de Cachaceiro' and 'Moça', which didn't always sit easily with everyone.

He put out several albums in the late '80s and '90s, including 'Correnteza' in 1992 and 'Brasil Afro' in 1997. His band typically featured him on vocals and guitar, with Paulinho da Costa on bass and Marcio Bahia on drums.