Zerão

Zerão formed in São Paulo in 1998 with Fábio Sampaio on vocals, Fernando Jatobá on guitar, Gustavo Tonini on bass, and João Santiago on drums. Their debut album 'Porra Nenhuma' came out in 2000, and that title track became something of a generational marker for its blunt, disillusioned tone. The band's sound pulled from punk, hardcore, and hip-hop, giving their records a raw, aggressive edge.

They followed up with albums like 'O Álbum Preto' in 2002, 'Ao Vivo na Praça da Sé' in 2005, and 'Cidade Perdida' in 2007. Over time, their music shifted from that initial raw aggression toward something more introspective and experimental. Songs like 'Afundando a Cidade' and 'Maldita Ambição' kept their confrontational style, but the arrangements and production opened up.

Zerão's lyrics often dealt with social inequality, poverty, and a kind of street-level realism that got them labeled as anti-establishment. They faced criticism for vulgar language and themes some saw as glorifying drug use or violence, though the band argued they were just reflecting everyday reality. Lineup changes and personal struggles, including drug addiction among some members, were part of their story, but they kept recording and playing live for a dedicated fan base that valued their unfiltered approach.