Chico César
- Origin
- Catolé do Rocha, PB
- Years active
- 1991
- Genres
- MPB, forró, frevo, pop, reggae
- Instruments
- acoustic guitar, vocals
Biography
Chico César is a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, and poet born in the interior of Paraíba. After moving to João Pessoa at sixteen and graduating with a degree in journalism, he became involved with the experimental group Jaguaribe Carne. He eventually moved to São Paulo at age 21, balancing a career as a journalist at Editora Abril with his growing passion for music. A successful 1991 tour through Germany served as the catalyst for him to leave journalism and dedicate himself fully to his artistic career.\n\nHe rose to national prominence in the mid-1990s following the release of his debut album Aos Vivos and the subsequent success of the band Cuscuz Clã. His song "Mama África" became a defining hit of the era, winning awards for its music video and establishing him as a central figure in modern MPB. His compositions, such as "À Primeira Vista," have earned prestigious accolades including the Troféu Imprensa and Melhores do Ano. Recently, he has collaborated with artists such as Laila Garin and Zeca Baleiro, the latter of whom he worked with on the critically acclaimed 2024 project Ao Arrepio da Lei.\n\nBeyond his musical output, César has held significant public roles, serving as the President of the Cultural Foundation of João Pessoa and as the Secretary of Culture for the state of Paraíba. His artistic reach extends to literature, with several published works of poetry, and cinema, contributing music to the film Paraíba, Meu Amor. His career is marked by a deep commitment to the cultural identity of the Brazilian Northeast, blended with global sounds and political consciousness.