Album Review: Acauã by Acauã Capucho – A Boom Bap Gem from Brazil
Alright, let’s talk about Acauã, the 2016 hip-hop album by Acauã Capucho. If you’re into raw, unfiltered boom bap beats with a Brazilian twist, this one’s gonna hit different. Released under De Lírio Records, it’s got that gritty vibe but also feels super personal, like Acauã just sat down and poured his soul into every track. And yeah, props to the crew behind it—Thiago Babalu on drums, Fidura Cardial shredding electric guitar, and Rodrigo Dário working magic on sampler and mastering duties. Oh, and Giovana Rouvier killed it with the artwork too. You can tell everyone involved brought their A-game.
Now, I gotta shout out two tracks in particular: “Bahia” and “Zumbi.” These are the ones that stuck with me after spinning the album a few times.
“Bahia” is straight fire—it’s got this laid-back groove that sneaks up on you. The cavaquinho (thanks, Fernando Saintive!) gives it this cool, almost tropical feel, but then Thiago Babalu drops these punchy drum patterns that keep things grounded in classic boom bap territory. It’s like sipping coconut water while walking through Salvador’s streets—you get lost in the rhythm without even realizing it. Plus, Acauã’s flow? Dude sounds confident as hell, spitting bars that make you wanna rewind and catch every word.
Then there’s “Zumbi,” which hits harder emotionally. The bassline, courtesy of Thiago Pereira, is deep enough to rattle your chest, and Michel de Moura’s guitar licks add this haunting edge. Lyrically, it feels like a tribute to resistance and ancestry, and honestly, it gave me goosebumps. When Acauã starts talking about Zumbi dos Palmares, you can hear the pride and pain in his voice. It’s not just a song; it’s a statement. Like, damn, man, this isn’t just music—it’s history wrapped in beats.
One thing I dig about Acauã is how organic it feels. There’s no overproduced nonsense here, just real instruments and honest lyricism. Even the mixing has this imperfect charm to it, like they didn’t try to polish away all the rough edges. And honestly? That’s what makes it stand out. In a world full of auto-tune and cookie-cutter rap, this album reminds you why hip-hop started in the first place—to tell stories, to connect, to fight back.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something fresh yet rooted in tradition, give Acauã a spin. Just don’t expect perfection because, honestly, that’s not the point. This album’s more like a conversation than a performance.
Oh, random thought: Listening to this made me wonder what would happen if Acauã linked up with some producers from the US underground scene. Could be wild, right? Anyway, go check it out. Trust me, your playlist needs this kinda flavor.
