Quebra Mato

Quebra Mato formed in Salvador, Bahia in the early 1990s. The name references the dense forests that once covered the region, and their music draws from the indigenous, African, and European influences that shape Northeast Brazil.

Their debut album "Âmago" came out in 1997. The title track became an instant sensation, blending traditional rhythms with contemporary harmonies in a way that earned them critical attention and international recognition.

In 2002, the band was involved in a legal dispute over unauthorized use of their music in a commercial advertisement. Their eclectic approach has sometimes drawn criticism for straying from traditional Brazilian forms, but they've continued working with their own blend of influences.