MV Bill

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Alex Pereira Barbosa

Genres

hip hop, rap, MPB

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Alex Pereira Barbosa, better known by his stage name MV Bill, is a prominent Brazilian rapper, writer, actor, filmmaker, and social activist born in Rio de Janeiro. Growing up in the Cidade de Deus favela, he adopted the nickname "Bill" in his childhood and later earned the moniker "MV" (standing for "Mensageiro da Verdade" or Messenger of Truth) from local residents due to his candid storytelling about favela realities. He emerged onto the Brazilian hip hop scene in the late 1980s and 1990s, eventually releasing foundational rap records that addressed social inequality, police brutality, and drug trafficking. Over his career, he has collaborated with numerous notable Brazilian artists, including Ice Blue, KL Jay, and Caetano Veloso.

In addition to his music career, MV Bill has made significant contributions to literature and documentary filmmaking. Alongside Celso Athayde, he co-authored impactful works such as the book and documentary project Falcão - Meninos do Tráfico, which exposed the grim realities of youth involvement in the drug trade. His activism led him to co-found the Central Única das Favelas (CUFA), a groundbreaking non-governmental organization operating across all Brazilian states to empower marginalized communities. His work has earned recognition from international organizations like UNICEF and UNESCO, cementing his status as one of Brazil's most vocal and influential social figures.

MV Bill has also expanded his artistic footprint into television and cinema, appearing in productions such as the telenovela Malhação and the feature film Sonhos Roubados. Despite facing controversies and media scrutiny throughout his career, he has remained steadfast in his mission to give voice to the periphery. His musical output, including critically acclaimed albums like Traficando Informação and Causa e Efeito, continues to define the landscape of conscious Brazilian rap.

Discography

• CDD. Mandando Fechado (1998)
• Traficando Informação (1999)
• Declaração de Guerra (2002)
• O Bagulho é Doido (2006)
• Despacho Urbano (2009)
• Causa e Efeito (2010)
• Vitória pra Quem Acordou Agora e Vida Longa pra Quem Nunca Dormiu (2014)
• Estilo Vagabundo (2016)
• Essencial (2019)
• Vivência (2020)
• Além do Rap (Ao Vivo) (2020)
• Voando Baixo (2021)
• Na Visão do Morador (2024)
• Traficando Informação (Instrumental) (2024)