Maria Esmeralda
Thalin, Cravinhos, VCR Slim, Pirlo & iloveyoulangelo
2024
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Maria Esmeralda, released in June 2024, stands out as one of the most notable phenomena in the São Paulo music scene, winning over critics and audiences with its innovative approach. The album is an engaging collaboration between producers and rappers Thalin, Cravinhos, VCR Slim, Pirlo and iloveyoulangelo, who boldly fuse the classic and contemporary elements of Brazilian music. The work is distinguished by a multifaceted dialogue between genres, fluidly transitioning from MPB to boombap, from jazz to rap, incorporating electronic elements and modern arrangements. Its dense narrative and modern poetry, rooted in classic themes, unfold into a mosaic of interpretations and feelings, making the intimate universally resonant. Across 16 tracks, Maria Esmeralda explores the intricacies of love, family, betrayal, hatred, and revenge, constructing a poetic and melancholic portrait of existence that oscillates between the real and the symbolic. The intelligent use of samples and excerpts from films and telenovelas adds layers of texture and atmosphere, solidifying its unique and captivating style.
Context
The artists behind Maria Esmeralda, Thalin, Cravinhos, VCR Slim, Pirlo and iloveyoulangelo, were already known for their work on other musical projects, such as Dupla 02, Os Fonsecas and Base Company. The album represents a landmark in Brazilian rap production, challenging conventions and demonstrating that sensitivity can be a potent source of expression. The album's conception benefits from the union of established names in the scene, such as DonCesão and yung vegan, and emerging new talents, promoting a generational exchange. The central figure who gives the album its name, Maria Esmeralda, is a fictional character who serves as a muse and metaphor, inspired by the artists' grandmothers and Brazil's own popular history. She symbolises the fusion of a common Brazilian name with the preciousness of a rare gem.
Recording
The production of Maria Esmeralda was conceived collectively and horizontally, with each artist contributing significantly to the final sound. The creative process was often organic and collaborative, as illustrated by the track "Lince", which emerged from a spontaneous studio session. iloveyoulangelo played a crucial role as the researcher responsible for finding the samples that punctuate the album, while VCR Slim is noted for his cinematic, older-sounding beats. Cravinhos, in turn, contributed high-fidelity beats, creating a rich and diverse sonic tapestry. The compositions are built through a colourful superposition of elements, including film excerpts, fragments of old MPB works, and a vast array of instrumental and rhythmic textures. Notable is the inclusion of dialogue cut from a telenovela called Esmeralda and an interlude featuring a recording of Thalin's late grandfather, a church singer, adding a personal and nostalgic touch to the work.
Songs
Comprising sixteen tracks, Maria Esmeralda is enriched by several special guest appearances, including Marília Medalha, DonCesão, tchelo rodrigues, RUBI, Servo, yung vegan, and Quiriku. The album opens with "Lúdica", an emotional introduction performed by Marília Medalha, who recites a poem by her late sister, Marly Medaglia, setting the work's cinematic tone. Songs like "Lince" exemplify the group's sound, with a cyclical base, fragmented samples reminiscent of Madvillain, and highly dramatic verses. "Poliesportiva", featuring DonCesão, brings reflections on the construction of life, while "Não Haverá Casamento" and "Amarelo Cor do Sol", with Servo, explore love and disillusionment. Other highlights include "Todo Tempo do Mundo", which transitions from trap to MPB with a cathartic approach and verses laden with restlessness, and "Dedo Cheio de Anel", which reinforces the album's thematic and sonic diversity. The tracks "McCoy Tyner", "Primo Favorito", "Bill Evans", "Waldomiro", "Judas Beijoqueiro", "Boca de Ouro", "Chão de Mármore", "Nova Ternura" and "Revoada" also stand out, contributing to the richness and depth of the repertoire.
Legacy
Maria Esmeralda was widely acclaimed by critics, recognised as one of the most praised albums of its release year and listed among the best rap albums of the decade. The work's impact was solidified with the New Artist of the Year award in 2024, granted by the São Paulo Association of Art Critics (APCA). The album's repercussion transcended the rap scene, reaching a broad audience, which, in Thalin's words, means that a large part of the music scene has already heard of Maria Esmeralda. The group has taken its repertoire to important festivals, such as C6 Fest, Rec-Beats, and Novas Frequências, in addition to performances at Sesc Pompéia and Belenzinho, consolidating its presence and recognition in the Brazilian musical landscape.
Tracks
Videos
TODO O TEMPO DO MUNDO | CRAVINHOS, THALIN, VCR SLIM, LANGÊLO E PIRLO APRESENTAM MARIA ESMERALDA
Cultura Livre
How I Did It: 'Maria Esmeralda' rescues Marília Medalha and weaves nostalgia into a rap album
Splash
Analyses
Maria Esmeralda (album) — Grokipedia
grokipedia.com
Maria Esmeralda is a collaborative Brazilian rap album released on June 7, 2024, by artists Thalin, Cravinhos, VCR Slim, Pirlo, and iloveyoulangelo, featuring 16 tracks and running for 38 minutes. [1][2] The project centers on a fictional muse named Maria Esmeralda, inspired by the artists' grandmothers and elements of Brazilian popular history ...
BE IN: Maria Esmeralda - Bossa FM
bossafm.com
"Make way, Maria Esmeralda is coming through," already hailed as one of the best albums of 2024. RADAR BOSSA FM Want to stay updated on the latest Brazilian music releases? Follow the Radar Bossa FM playlist on Spotify. CONCERTS AND EVENTS PROGRAMA COMPLETO Tagged: BE IN, Maria Esmeralda, en, Hip Hop, Trap, Beats
Uma breve conversa com Maria Esmeralda, um dos discos mais relevantes ...
oganpazan.com.br
An album like Maria Esmeralda, the result of a collaboration between 5 artists: Thalin, VCR Slim, Cravinhos, Pirlo, and iloveyoulangelo, should be received with enthusiasm by the national music ecosystem, especially within rap; however, this is risky today.
Como "Maria Esmeralda" se tornou um dos melhores álbuns de rap da ...
tenhomaisdiscosqueamigos.com
With its references ranging from classical MPB to marginal cinema, Maria Esmeralda marks a new production line in Brazilian rap, one that challenges conventions and shows that sensitivity is also power.
Conheça o disco 'Maria Esmeralda', um dos melhores lançamentos do ano
vejasp.abril.com.br
The album Maria Esmeralda (2024), by Thalin, Cravinhos, VCR Slim, Pirlo and iloveyoulangelo, along with other special guests, is one of the most interesting new releases in the São Paulo music scene this year. And, this Thursday (19th), the album will be played live for the first time, at the Sesc Pompeia theatre, with tickets sold out.
