Zé Cupido

Zé Cupido formed in Fortaleza, Ceará in the mid-1990s, with the vocalist and songwriter Cupido at the center. Their music drew from forró, reggae, and hip-hop, and spoke to life in the favelas. The 2002 single 'Pé de Poeira' became a breakout hit, and later tracks like 'Puxando o Fole' kept their sound grounded in Brazilian rhythms while touching on social themes.

Their lyrics often addressed poverty, racism, and drug use, which brought both a dedicated following and criticism from some quarters. The band faced accusations of glorifying violence, but they continued to perform and record, with their concerts sometimes doubling as spaces for protest.

Over several albums, from 2002's 'Pé de Poeira' to 2021's 'Caminho de Volta', their sound incorporated funk, samba, and rock while keeping a core lineup that included Magrão on bass, Tonho on drums, and Dedé on percussion. They remained a fixture in Brazilian music, known for raw energy and social commentary rather than polished production.