Celso Athayde

Origin

Nilópolis, RJ

Genres

hip hop, rap

Biography

Celso Athayde was born in Nilópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, on February 27, 1963, and lived in the Baixada Fluminense and various favelas during his youth. A self-taught individual and highly prominent social activist, he founded the Unified Central of Favelas (CUFA), Favela Holding, and the Data Favela institute, in addition to creating major events such as the Brazilian Popular Rap (RPB) festival and the Hutúz awards.

His artistic and cultural trajectory includes directing and producing important documentaries and films, such as Falcão Meninos do Tráfico, co-directed alongside the renowned rapper MV Bill, who is also part of his Brazilian hip hop talent agency, along with Nega Gizza. Celso also worked in literature as an author and co-author of widely circulated works, engaging directly with the reality of the peripheries and contributing to the consolidation and visibility of the hip hop movement in Brazil.

Internationally recognized for his entrepreneurial and social work, Celso took the agenda of the favelas to spaces of great global relevance, such as the UN and universities like Harvard and MIT. His contribution to urban culture and Brazilian music extends to the creation of initiatives that bring rap closer to regional sounds and strengthen the artistic scene of the communities.