Manu da Cuíca

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Manuela Trindade Oiticica

Years Active

2019–Present

Genres

samba, MPB

Instruments

percussion, cuíca

Biography

Manuela Trindade Oiticica, known as Manu da Cuíca, is a Brazilian writer, composer, and percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro on May 4, 1984. She graduated in Letters from UERJ (State University of Rio de Janeiro) and also played for the women's football team of Fluminense. Manu da Cuíca began her musical journey in the samba circles of Bip-Bip, a legendary bar in Copacabana. Her work is characterized by political engagement combined with poetic sensitivity, influenced by her literary background and experiences in bars and carnival blocks. She is recognized as a significant lyricist of her generation.

Manu da Cuíca made history by being the first woman to have a samba-enredo composition accepted by a major samba school in Rio de Janeiro for two consecutive years. In 2019, her samba "História pra Ninar Gente Grande" (Story to Lull Big People) won the "Estandarte de Ouro" (Golden Banner) for "Best Samba-Enredo" and contributed to Estação Primeira de Mangueira winning the carnival that year. In 2020, she co-wrote the samba-enredo "A verdade vos fará livre" (The Truth Will Set You Free) for Mangueira, which presented a unique perspective on Jesus Christ. Her compositions have been recorded by artists such as Marina Iris and Marcos Sacramento.

Beyond her work in samba, Manu da Cuíca has also contributed to other musical projects. She co-wrote the song "Pra matar preconceito" (To Kill Prejudice) with Raul DiCaprio, which was recorded by the collective ÉPreta and also by Maria Menezes. She has collaborated with various artists and participated in albums and events related to Brazilian popular music, including contributions to samba-enredo albums for the Mangueira carnival parades.

Discography

• É Pretinha (2024)