Rafael MQ

Rafael MQ is the stage name of Brazilian singer-songwriter Rafael Marques. He came up in Rio de Janeiro, where he started playing guitar and singing at local open mics as a teenager. His music draws from the samba, funk, and MPB he heard growing up.

In 2016, his single 'A Primeira Vez' became a national hit in Brazil. The song's melody and lyrics about young love connected with listeners and pushed him into the mainstream. He followed it with two studio albums, a self-titled one in 2017 and 'Pra Te Ver Sorrir' in 2019.

His songs, like 'Agora Chora' and 'Meu Primeiro Beijo,' often deal with love and relationships. In 2018, he faced plagiarism accusations over similarities between one of his tracks and another artist's work, which he denied. He's also been known to speak out on social and political issues, which has drawn some criticism.