Sião Reggae

Sião Reggae formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1993, playing reggae with Brazilian samba and funk touches. The original lineup included Marcos Ruffino on vocals, Carlos Emmanuel on guitar, Fabrício Melo on bass, and Fernando Ramalho on drums. They released their first album, Rasta Reggae Roots, in 1997, followed by others like Abraço Universal in 2000 and A Vida É Um Presente in 2003.

Their 2005 album Barquinho gave them one of their best-known songs, a ballad about navigating life's challenges. In 2007, Ruffino was diagnosed with cancer, which paused the band's activities for a time. They returned with O Caminho that same year and kept recording through the next decade.

Sião Reggae's lyrics often dealt with social issues and spirituality, which sometimes drew criticism. They played festivals internationally and worked with artists including Ziggy Marley. The band's sound stayed rooted in reggae while incorporating elements from Brazil's musical traditions.