Zé Vidal e Vidalzinho

Zé Vidal e Vidalzinho formed in 1997, two childhood friends from Rio de Janeiro's Rocinha neighborhood. They started by self-releasing their debut album 'Ela Partiu' in 2002, which included songs like 'Já Não Gosta Mais de Mim' and 'Dinheiro Assassino.' The title track 'Ela Partiu' became particularly well-known, with lyrics that touched on everyday struggles in their community.

Their music drew from samba, hip-hop, and funk, and they later worked with other Brazilian artists like MV Bill and Jorge Aragão. Over time they put out more albums, including 'Tô Nem Aí' in 2004 and 'Vida Bandida' in 2007, which brought in some jazz and reggae touches. Other songs in their catalog include 'Moreninha,' 'Não Quero Que Ela Saiba,' and 'Te Amo Eternamente.'

Zé Vidal handled production and vocals while Vidalzinho wrote most of the lyrics. Their straightforward approach to themes like neighborhood life and relationships connected with many listeners, though it also drew criticism at times for being too blunt or explicit. They kept recording through the 2010s with albums like 'O Som da Favela' and 'Só Pra Quem Tem Moral.'