The singer-songwriter Criolo is one of the most influential and popular figures
within Brazil's rap and hip-hop culture. He was born Kleber Cavalcante Gomes on
September 5, 1975, and was raised in Favela das Imbuias, one of the many shanty
towns that surround the city of São Paulo. At the age of 11, Gomes began honing
his love for rap music by performing at small venues around his home
neighborhood but it wasn't until he was 31 that he eventually released his debut
album Ainda Há Tempo (2006). The album was well-received by Brazilian rap
audiences and his reputation as an up-and-...