Thaíde

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Altair Gonçalves

Years Active

1983

Genres

hip hop, rap, black music, soul

Instruments

voice, percussion

Biography

Altair Gonçalves, globally known as Thaíde, is one of the fundamental pillars of hip hop culture in Brazil. Born in Vila Missionária, a neighborhood in the South Zone periphery of São Paulo, he began his artistic journey in the 1980s through breakdancing. Alongside iconic figures like Nelson Triunfo and frequenting historical spots in the capital of São Paulo such as Rua 24 de Maio and Estação São Bento, Thaíde helped consolidate the street movement that would give rise to national rap. His transition from dance to rhyming happened organically, often improvising beats on trash cans when the electricity or the batteries of his radios failed.

Acclaim came through his emblematic partnership with DJ Hum. Together, they formed one of the most influential duos in Brazilian music, pioneering the professional recording of rap in the country. With the collaboration of musicians like Nasi and André Jung (members of the band Ira!), they released tracks that became anthems, such as "Corpo Fechado" and "Senhor Tempo Bom". The latter is celebrated to this day as a nostalgic portrait of peripheral youth and the heritage of 70s and 80s black music. During the 1990s, Thaíde shared the genre's spotlight with the group Racionais MCs, elevating rap to a new level of commercial and critical visibility.

Beyond music, Thaíde expanded his talent to television and cinema, becoming a versatile communicator. He hosted remarkable shows such as "Yo! MTV Raps" and "Manos e Minas" on TV Cultura, in addition to acting in productions like the film and series "Antônia". His longevity in the scene is marked by constant renewal, collaborating with names ranging from Sabotage to groups like Da Guedes, always maintaining his position as one of the "godfathers" of Brazilian hip hop. His work is a vital link between the old school and the new generations of MCs.

Discography

• Preste Atenção (1996)
• Assim Caminha a Humanidade (2000)
• Apenas (2006)
• Vamo que Vamo que o Som Não Pode Parar (2017)
• Thaíde no Estúdio Showlivre (Ao Vivo) (2018)
• Corpo Fechado, Mente Aberta (2025)