Zapi formed in 2015 in Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, a working-class neighborhood in São Paulo. The band included vocalist Bruno Candê, guitarist Matheus Souza, bassist Lucas Vale, and drummer Lucas Oliveira. Their music pulled from Brazilian funk, hip-hop, and samba traditions.
Their 2017 debut album 'O Mundo É Nosso' brought them wider attention, particularly through the track 'Cheiro da Guela 2.' That song, along with others like 'Prada' and 'Flores de Kush,' connected with listeners in Brazil's marginalized communities. The lyrics often depicted everyday life in those neighborhoods, which sometimes drew criticism from conservative groups.
In 2019, Bruno Candê was killed in a drive-by shooting. The band continued, releasing the EP 'A Vida É Um Ciclo' in 2020 and the album 'Raízes' in 2023. Their songs, including 'Malandro Não Vacila' and 'Rain Money,' remain part of the conversation in Brazilian popular music.
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