Maciel Moraes

Maciel Moraes came up in Rio de Janeiro, a self-taught guitarist and singer. In the late 1980s, he worked with composer Aldir Blanc on a ballad called "Chora, Bebê." The song came out in 1989 and connected with listeners, becoming a hit that defined his early career.

His lyrics often dealt with love and loss, and sometimes social themes, which drew both fans and critics. He kept writing in that vein, putting out albums like "Praça Mauá" in 1992 and "Cantando o Amor" in 1998. Another song people remember is "Saudade Do Sertão."

Moraes had an outspoken way about him that sometimes led to media attention. He kept performing and recording into the 2000s, but that straightforward, sometimes confrontational style remained part of his work.