Djonga

Ever since bursting onto the scene in the mid-2010s, Djonga has established himself as both one of the most influential figures in Brazilian hip-hop and an unyielding voice against societal injustices through his sharp and provocative lyrics. Born Gustavo Pereira Marques on June 4, 1994, in the Favela do Índio, Belo Horizonte, his life resonated with an eclectic mix of music, from the soulful Milton Nascimento and Racionais MCs to the enchanting Mariah Carey and Cartola. His initial foray into the art world was through poetry, joining the Sarau Vira-Lata collective after graduating high school. However, a turning point came when Chuck, aka Oculto Beats, offered him a platform to transform his poetry into rap, giving birth to "Corpo Fechado," his 2015 debut single. His rapid ascent to stardom continued in the subsequent years, with his collaborations with producer Coyote Beatz setting the Brazilian rap scene ablaze. Together, they unveiled the EP Fechando o Corpo, pushing Djonga further into the limelight. His alliance with underground rap label Pirâmide Perdida and participation in tracks such as Baco Exu do Blues' “Sujismundo” and Primata's "Redenção" solidified his footprint in the industry. But it was his debut album Heresia, released in 2017, that finally cemented his place in Brazilian rap through a powerful message of Black empowerment. Yearly releases followed, each echoing societal critiques, from O Menino Que Queria Ser Deus in 2018 to Histórias da Minha Área in 2020. Djonga's social commentaries reached global recognition when he became the first Brazilian artist nominated for the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2020. His sixth studio album, O Dono do Lugar, released in 2022, touched on the subject of Black masculinity, offering an introspective reflection on racism, familial ties, and the intricacies of the music industry. In 2023, the Brazilian MC returned with the mixtape Inocente, which featured cameos by Tz da Coronel ("Coração Congelado") and Mc Cabelinho ("Depois da Meia Noite").