Mc Gelo

Mc Gelo came out of São Paulo's favelas in the late 1990s, performing at local block parties with a raw take on funk carioca. The group included MC André, MC Luciano, and DJ Bruno. Their sound caught on with the city's marginalized communities, though mainstream outlets often dismissed the genre as crude.

Their breakout single was '1995 Ano Especial,' a nostalgic track with an infectious rhythm that became an anthem in the favelas and beyond. The song's success brought Mc Gelo national attention, though it also drew criticism from some who felt their lyrics glorified violence and drug use.

They went on to release albums like 'Funk do Gueto' in 2000, 'Sem Falsidade' in 2002, and 'Favela Chic' in 2005. For many Brazilians, their music became a soundtrack to daily life in the urban underclass.