Mc Zagueirinho

Mc Zagueirinho, born Matheus Aleixo, came up in the Vigário Geral favela of Rio de Janeiro. He started rapping young, drawing from the rhythms around him. In 2018, his track 'Amor É Só de Mãe' broke through, its melody and lyrics about a mother's bond finding a wide audience in Brazil.

His music includes songs like 'Beira do Rio' and 'Boladão', working in funk, hip-hop, and samba elements. He writes and performs his material himself. In 2019, a video showing him kicking a dog led to accusations of animal abuse and a suspension from his label. Some have also criticized his lyrics for explicit content and depictions of drug use.

Despite these controversies, he kept putting out music, with tracks like 'Bonde da Zp' and 'Bonde do Guará' appearing in his catalog. The response to his work has been mixed, with listeners drawn to his sound and others questioning what his songs represent.