Gabriel O Pensador
Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
Artist, Social Activist
dreamscanbe.org

Musician and social activist Gabriel O Pensador is a pioneer of Rap Music in Brazil. A native of Rio de Janeiro he grew up and still lives near Rocinha (the largest favela or slum in Latin America). For over a decade Gabriel's music has been an inspiration to the Brazilian people - representing the voice for those who live the injustices in Brazilian society. In the early 90's Gabriel discovered the works of such artists as Run DMC, Public Enemy and Bob Marley. Disturbed by the injustices that he was seeing in Brazil at the time, he began to write music with lyrics to inspire change and provoke thought. Born Gabriel Contino, he took on the stage name; Gabriel O Pensador (Gabriel, The Thinker). Driven by the many social ills that plague Brazilian society, Gabriel drew upon his frustrations to bring about change under the disgraceful regime of the President at the time Fernando Collor. In 1992 Gabriel recorded a demo tape of "Tô Feliz - Matei o Presidente" (I'm Happy -I Killed the President) that found its way to a Rio de Janeiro radiostation. The song shot to number one within 5 days (was subsequently bannedwhen then President Collor was impeached.) The success of this song launched his career with Sony Music (Brazil) and his first national record release of the self-titled O Gabriel. His ability to voice the thoughts and feelings of an oppressed society and to champion their cause has brought him world wide acclaim. He continues to churn out hits tackling subjects such as poverty, violence and drugs, alcoholism, public health issues the environment and unemployment. Gabriel does not want to just sing (and think). He wants to protest and increase awareness as well. Therefore, Seja Você Mesmo Mas Não Seja Sempre o Mesmo ("Be Yourself But Don't Be Always The Same") - the fifth record in an 8-year career - ended up as an album focused on corruption, police brutality, injustice and generalized submission. "I'm really obsessed with making people think, protest and demand for change. We always believe that the situation can't get any worse and that it is time that things changed, but then they do get worse. Though I think it's too much, right now. It can't go on like this", Gabriel explains, referring to the political scandals and muddy stories that appear daily in Brazilian newspapers. Gabriel shares his home with his wife Aninha Lima and their new son, Tom. Much loved by people from all walks of life Gabriel O Pensador continues to evoke change.