1960

Raised in Tijuca, on the north side of Rio de Janeiro and close to the samba, Pedro Luís Teixeira de Oliveira got used to drum beats from the very beginning. When he started to make his name, in the early 90s, Pedro was greeted as a BPM innovator, mixing rap, samba, hip hop, maracatu and funk music. His work, though, had started long before. In the early 80s, in the midst of the BRock boom, he initiated his career in the underground scene, leading the punk band Urge. Pedro attracted attention while working as arranger and musical director for singer Arícia Mess. By that time, in the mid-90s, larger crowds got to know his work due to a song (Tudo Vale a Pena) recorded by Fernanda Abreu. Later, his songs landed on albums by O Rappa (Miséria S/A), Ed Motta (Birinaite), Cidade Negra (Cidade em Movimento) and Adriana Calcanhoto (Mão e Luva). Veteran singer Ney Matogrosso also helped legitimize Pedro’s skills as a songwriter, recording Fazer o Quê? and Miséria No Japão, included in Matogrosso’s album, Olhos de Farol. Willing to invest in his solo career, he lined up Mário Moura (bass), Sidon Silva, C.A. Ferrari and Celso Alvin, responsible for the percussive salad of the group Pedro Luis & A Parede (or, Pedro Luis & The Wall), who debuted in 1996. Soon, they were hired by the label Dubas/Warner. Astronauta Tupy (1997) came out contemporary and crucial, exploring varied Brazilian beats with a slightly pop approach. In October 1998, Pedro Luís & A Parede toured Tokyo and Osaka with Japanese singer Miyazawa Kazufumi, having been checked out by 10 thousand Japanese citizens. Astronauta Tupy was well received in Japan, and the song Pena de Vida was among the top 50s on radio charts in that country for a few weeks. By the end of 1999, they played the Free Jazz Festival. Almost two years after the release of their first CD, the next, É Tudo 1 Real came out, produced by Liminha (former Mutantes bassist). Pop-rock band Paralamas do Sucesso and percussionist Marcos Suzano appear in the album.