O Rappa
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Rio de Janeiro , Brazil |
Area served | Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
O Rappa was a reggae rock group originating from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known for blending genres including rock, reggae, funk, hip hop, and samba. Their songwriting frequently tackled Brazilian social challenges, aligning with the band's advocacy for numerous community initiatives.
History
In 1993, the reggae musician Papa Winnie arrived in Brazil without his usual band and chose Nelson Meirelles, Marcelo Lobato, Alexandre Menezes, and Marcelo Yuka to accompany him. Following these performances, the four musicians decided to continue playing together and later incorporated Falcão as their lead singer.
Their first album, O Rappa, was launched in 1994 through WEA, initially gaining popularity predominantly among working-class neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. The 1996 release Rappa Mundi featured notable tracks such as their rendition of "Hey Joe".
The band achieved broader acclaim with their third record, Lado B Lado A (1999), which surpassed sales of 150,000 copies. The music video for "Minha Alma" received several MTV Brasil Vídeo Music Awards.
In November 2000, drummer Marcelo Yuka was critically injured in a robbery shooting that left him paraplegic, leading to his exit from the band; Marcelo Lobato took over drumming duties.
Their inaugural live album, Instinto Coletivo ao Vivo, was released in August 2001 and included collaborations with bands like Sepultura and Asian Dub Foundation.
On July 7, 2007, O Rappa appeared at the Brazilian segment of Live Earth held in Rio de Janeiro.
Following their 2008 album 7 Vezes, they issued the live album and DVD Ao Vivo na Rocinha in 2010, recorded at Rio's largest favela. This collection featured major hits along with several lesser-known tracks.
On May 3, 2017, O Rappa announced via Facebook that after completing their February 2018 tour, they would enter an indefinite hiatus without intentions to reunite.
Studio albums
- (1994) O Rappa
- (1996) Rappa Mundi
- (1999) Lado B Lado A
- (2003) O Silêncio Q Precede O Esporro
- (2008) 7 Vezes
- (2013) Nunca Tem Fim...
Live albums
- (2001) Instinto Coletivo
- (2005) Acústico MTV: O Rappa
- (2010) Ao Vivo na Rocinha
- (2016) Acústico Oficina Francisco Brennand
- (2017) Marco Zero
Video albums
- (2004) O Silêncio Q Precede O Esporro (Toca do Bandido + Documentário + Show no Olimpo)
- (2005) Acústico MTV: O Rappa
- (2010) Ao Vivo na Rocinha
- (2016) Acústico Oficina Francisco Brennand
- (2017) Marco Zero
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRA Hot 100 | |||
| 1996 | "Pescador de Ilusões" | — | Rappa Mundi |
| "A Feira" | — | ||
| 1997 | "Miséria S.A" | — | |
| 1999 | "Me Deixa" | 50 | Lado B Lado A |
| "Minha Alma" | 15 | ||
| 2000 | "O Que Sobrou do Céu" | 55 | |
| "Lado B Lado A" | 45 | ||
| 2001 | "Instinto Coletivo" | 90 | Instinto Coletivo |
| "Ninguém Regula a América" (part. Sepultura) |
49 | ||
| 2003 | "Reza Vela" | 25 | O Silêncio Q Precede O Esporro |
| 2004 | "Rodo Cotidiano" | 42 | |
| "O Salto" | 16 | ||
| 2005 | "Mar de Gente" | 29 | |
| "Na Frente do Reto" | 3 | Acústico MTV: O Rappa | |
| "Pescador de Ilusões" (acoustic) | 8 | ||
| 2006 | "Não Perca as Crianças de Vista" (acoustic) | 35 | |
| "Eu Quero Ver Gol" (acoustic) | 57 | ||
| 2008 | "Monstro Invisível" | 5 | 7 Vezes |
| "Meu Mundo é o Barro" | 16 | ||
| 2009 | "Súplica Cearense" | 14 | |
| "Hóstia" | — | ||
| "7 Vezes" (live performance) | — | Ao Vivo na Rocinha | |
| 2013 | "Anjos (Pra Quem Tem Fé)" | 25 | Nunca Tem Fim... |
| "Auto-Reverse" | 23 |
Band members
- Final lineup
- Marcelo Falcão – lead vocalist, rhythm and acoustic guitarist (1993–2018)
- Xandão (Alexandre Menezes) – lead guitarist (1993–2018)
- Lauro Farias – bass guitar, synth bass, backing vocals (1996–2018)
- Marcelo Lobato – keyboards, backing vocals (1993–2018); drums (2001–2008)
- Previous members
- Marcelo Yuka – drummer (1993–2001)
- Nelson Meirelles – bassist (1993–1996)
- Touring musicians
- DJ Negralha – turntables (1998–2018); backing vocals (2001–2018)
- Marcos Lobato – keyboards, samplers (2001–2018)
- Cleber Sena – drums and percussion (2003–2013)
- Felipe Boquinha – drums (2013–2018)