In the mid-90s, he formed a group called Farofa Carioca, whose infectious, pop samba soon became popular in Rio. After a string of concerts, they recorded a single album and the charismatic charmer Jorge became the talk of the ?Cidade Maravilhosa?.

Feeling a little cramped in the group, he began a solo career with an album produced by Mario Caldato (Beastie Boys): Samba Esporte Fino. Released to critical acclaim, it became the 1999 album of the year in Brazil. But it was the cinema and Fernando Meirelles that really made Seu Jorge a household name: his tailored role in Cidade de Deus (City of God) rocketed him to national stardom.

Not content with his newfound celebrity in Brazil, in winter of 2004, he worked on a major Disney production directed by Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums), starring Bill Murray, Angelica Houston and Willem Dafoe. The film, The Life Aquatic, was released at the beginning of 2005.

Taking a break between Brazilian art film-making and Hollywood, Jorge went to France to recharge his batteries and made a new solo album, Cru. Produced by Gringo da Parada (one of the founders of Favela Chic) for his new label Fla Flu Prod and mixed by Renaud Letang, Cru?s lyrics range from the political commitment of ?Eu sou Favela? to the words of love of ?Tive Razao?, while the sounds include a tense cover of Gainsbourg?s ?Chatterton?, a softer take on Elvis?s ?Don?t?, laying down guitar on ?Tive Razao? and the irony of ?Mania de Peitao?. With its bossa, stripped-down rock and song, Cru is hard to categorize.

Samba Esporte Fino (1999)

Cru (Fla Flu Prod, 2004)