Sobre Crianças, Quadris, Pesadelos e Lições de Casa…

Though Criolo has stolen the limelight as the voice of those living on Brazil's periphery, Emicida's career has followed a similar path. With a reputation built on his abilities of improvisation – which made him one of the most formidable opponents in São Paulo's rap battles – it's only in the last few years that Emicida has begun to release official albums and demonstrate his versatility. This is clear from the beginning of Sobre Crianças, which includes the pseudo-funk song ‘Mufete’, the rousing tough beat of ‘Casa’ (with an infant-led chorus that brings back memories of Jay-Z's ‘Hard Knock Life’) and the more contemplative ‘Mãe’, an ode to his mother. Whether spitting rhymes or lamenting loved ones lost, Emicida is always passionate and erudite, more like rappers such as 2Pac or Gift of Gab than the crude or self-aggrandising stereotypical rapper.

The conventional hip-hop formula of breaks, beats and loops is present, though Emicida keeps it fresh with vocals and instruments recorded during a trip to Angola and Cape Verde, as well as guest spots from Caetano Veloso and Vanessa da Mata, who contributes to the ridiculously upbeat ‘Passarinhos’.