ArtistInfo

Boss AC

*1975
Producer of Hip-Hop/Rap
A.k.a. Ângelo César do Rosário Firmino AC Firmino

Portuguese rapper and producer of Cape Verdean descent, born January 20th, 1975, considered one of the pioneers of Portuguese hip-hop. He is the son of Cape Verdean singer Ana Firmino and Cape Verdean painter António N. Firmino (Toi Firmino). He was born on Cape Verde and brought at a young age to Lisbon where he spent his childhood and adolescence. His foray into music began in the late 80s, doing vocals for Cool Hipnoise, and appearing in albums by Da Weasel, General D and Fernando Cunha. But his breakthrough came in 1994, with the release of Rapública, to which he contributed two tracks, an essential album which brought wider recognition to the Portuguese hip-hop movement, then emerging in Portugal, thanks to rappers from Lisbon. He debuted four years later with Mandachuva, recorded and mixed in the United States by Troy Hightower, who would mix his future albums. In this album he began experimenting with new musical genres (reggae, soul and r'n'b), whilst never forsaking his hip-hop origins, nor his African roots (some of the songs were sung in Creole). Afterwards he joined Gutto from Black Company and the two founded No Stress, one of the biggest labels in Portuguese hip-hop. He co-produced Gutto's debut, collaborated with Xutos & Pontapés and Santos & Pecadores, and wrote music for film (Zona J, Lena) and television (Masterplan, Último Beijo). In 2002 he compiled the tracks he made during that time in his second album, Rimar Contra A Maré, entirely recorded, produced and mixed by himself. The music video for the track Quieres Dinero, co-produced with Gutto, was nominated for the African Video Awards in the Best Special Effects category. In 2005 he returned with Ritmo, Amor E Palavras, mixed in New York by his long-time collaborator Troy Hightower. It reached gold status in August and platinum in October, becoming one of the best-selling Portuguese hip-hop albums of all time. In October he opened for 50 Cent's debut concert in Portugal. In 2009 he released Preto No Branco and in 2012 AC Para Os Amigos, his debut for Universal Music Portugal, both of which were mainstream successes.

Genres

• Hip-Hop/Rap
• Pop