Toca do Coelho

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1983–2000

Genres

samba, pagode

Instruments

voice, pandeiro, tantã, tamborim, cavaquinho

Biography

The Toca do Coelho group was a children's samba musical project, founded in 1983 by the musician Coelho in Rio de Janeiro. The initiative aimed to get children in situations of social vulnerability off the streets, offering them an opportunity through music. Coelho, who was already a samba musician and had been a member of the ensemble Rua do Samba, taught his nephews and other young people how to play instruments and formed the group.

Throughout its existence, the group went through various line-ups, with the age limit for members being 13 years old. Many of the young people who passed through Toca do Coelho pursued musical careers, joining other successful groups. The group released its first double-compact record in 1987 via RGE, titled "Pagode na Toca". In 1990, it released "Namoro Proibido" through Kaskatas Records, an album that achieved great success and earned a Gold Record, driven by the title track.

Other albums were released, such as "Grupo Toca do Coelho" in 1993, featuring participation from Mara Maravilha, and a final record in 1994, which marked the formation of the group Moleke Travesso. Even without a record label after 1994, Toca do Coelho continued its work of revealing children's talents until the year 2000. The group's legacy lies in its contribution to samba and the opportunity given to countless children, including special guest appearances by renowned artists such as Zeca Pagodinho and D. Ivone Lara in their works.

Discography

• Grupo Toca Do Coelho (1987)
• Tem Criança no Samba (1992)
• Fofoca na Toca (1993)
• Agora Dá (1995)
• Namoro Proibido (2018)