Marcelo D2 - IBORU

This album, released by the Pupila Dilatada label, is more than just a collection of songs; it serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation, connecting local mythology with the techniques of rap. This project marks a significant step in Marcelo D2's discography, revitalizing his roots with a fresh perspective.

A bridge between tradition and innovation

This opening track, number one on the list of sixteen compositions, launches a sonic exploration where Marcelo D2's rap dialogues with the mythology of Brazilian samba. The structure of the album brings together iconic figures. Out of sixteen tracks, Marcelo D2 collaborates with the voices of established artists.

A constellation of collaborations

The list expands with Lucinha Pessoa on TAMBOR DE AÇO, actively contributing to the energy of the track, and Metá, who provides a featured performance on TEMPO DE OPINIÃO. Each name mentioned corresponds strictly to an explicit mention in the tracklist, without any extrapolation or addition.

The hybrid vocal style between flow and samba legends

The core of the work lies in the unexpected but natural meeting between Marcelo Maldonado Peixoto's technical rap and the voices of legendary Brazilian musicians. On the eleventh track, O SAMBA FALARÁ + ALTO., the vocals of Alcione and Mumuzinho intertwine with those of the rapper, creating a moment where the flow blends with the voices of the legends without ever losing its own identity.

Melodic Epilogue and Critical Acclaim

Further on, on GANDAIA, Romildo Bastos joins the project, while the legendary figures Zeca Pagodinho and Xande De Pilares collaborate on FUZUÊ, creating a track that embodies the very essence of the project. Marcelo D2's artistic journey takes on a new clarity during this period. The project culminates with PRA CURAR A DOR DO MUNDO, the final track on the album, which transforms the opening track's tribal anthem into a call for social reconciliation. This closing track provides a cohesive whole to the album, with the opening and closing tracks working together to form a complete narrative arc. The institutional recognition validates this approach: the album was chosen by the Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte as one of the 50 best Brazilian albums of 2023.

A Preserved Sonic Legacy

Iboru distinguishes itself by its refusal to be seen as a mere compilation or a fleeting project. It's a statement of intent, where each track, whether solo or featuring, contributes to a solid hybrid structure. The production, released by Pupila Dilatada, allows the sounds to circulate freely between rap and samba without imposing artificial barriers. From "Eu tiro é onda" (1998) to its return to the top in 2023, Marcelo D2's solo career finds here a moment of balance, where the past nourishes the present. The album doesn't seek to erase its origins, particularly those linked to his time with Planet Hemp, but to reactivate them with renewed freshness. It's an album that marks a precise point in the artist's discography, between two distinct periods, while standing apart from other works such as "Direct-to-Disc" (2024) or "A arte do barulho" (2008). The album opens with "SARAVÁ.," an introduction that immediately sets the scene for a project where local mythology dialogues with the technique of rap. This first track, released by the label Pupila Dilatada on June 14, 2023, is not just an introductory track, but the starting point of an artistic reflection that runs through all sixteen compositions. The structure of the project prioritizes hybridization: on eight of the sixteen tracks, Marcelo D2's voice is superimposed on that of established artists, creating a sound ecosystem where São Paulo rap meets the sacred figures of Rio de Janeiro samba. This vocal constellation goes beyond the simple sum of names to reveal a strong narrative intention. Far from being a succession of random appearances, each featuring is an essential link in a solid hybrid structure. From the track "POVO DE FÉ." with Nega Duda to the titanic meeting of Zeca Pagodinho and Xande De Pilares on "FUZUÊ.," the collaborations anchor the work in a continuous musical history while giving it a contemporary resonance. The release by Pupila Dilatada allows these sounds to circulate without barriers, transforming "Iboru" into an album that transcends its status as a sound object and becomes a statement of intent. This project, which earned the artist the distinction of being one of the 50 best Brazilian albums of 2023 according to the Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte, confirms that Marcelo D2 does not seek to erase his past or his origins linked to Planet Hemp, but to reactivate them with renewed freshness. Alongside his solo work, Marcelo D2 maintains deep ties with the Brazilian alternative scene and its historical figures. The album thus brings together a constellation of artists whose influence has marked the musical landscape of the country. On eight of the sixteen tracks, the rapper associates his voice with that of talents such as BNegão, Pedro Garcia, Zeca Pagodinho or Xande De Pilares, each bringing a distinctive touch to the proposed hybrid. This approach confirms the central role of Iboru in the artist's discographical chronology, clearly placing it between "Assim Tocam os MEUS TAMBORES," released in 2020, and "Direct-to-Disc," scheduled for 2024. The trajectory of a former member of the Planet Hemp band, born Marcelo Maldonado Peixoto, passes through a pivotal period where the past nourishes the present without ever erasing its origins. The album is released by Pupila Dilatada and has been chosen by the Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte as one of the 50 best Brazilian albums of 2023, validating this artistic approach that reactivates with renewed freshness the roots linked to his time with the band and his solo beginnings with "Eu tiro é onda" in 1998. This album is not just about adding names to the tracklist: it weaves links between sound universes that, until now, seemed distinct. The selection by Brazilian critics confirms that this fusion of styles is not a passing fad, but a durable affirmation of Marcelo D2's role in the national musical landscape.

Technical specifications

- Release date : June 14, 2023 - Label : Pupila Dilatada - Number of tracks : 16 - Opening / closing : SARAVÁ. / PRA CURAR A DOR DO MUNDO. - Guest artists : Nega Duda, Mateus Aleluia, Lucinha Pessoa, Metá Metá, BNegão, Pedro Garcia, Alcione, Mumuzinho, Romildo Bastos, Zeca Pagodinho, Xande De Pilares - Previous album : Assim Tocam os MEUS TAMBORES (2020)