Pará rapper Pelé do Manifesto played the first show of ‘A Grande Obra’, inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, on the night of Saturday the 26th, during Maré Lançante, the launch of the Festival Quebramar 2026 line-up, at the Central Única das Favelas (CUFA), in Macapá.
“I’m bringing the launch show of my record here to Macapá. It’s based on the Inferno of the Divine Comedy. We’re going to show a bit of sin, a bit of the circles and some of the characters who are fundamental to all of this, bringing it together with what we have here today,” explained Pelé do Manifesto, describing the new work.
The ten-track record was produced by Budokaos (Marcel Barreto) and draws lyrical parallels between Dante’s classic work and the daily life of Black men in Brazil. With his hybrid production style, Marcel also takes on vocals and guitar.
Through their Amazonian sound, the artists establish Brazil’s North as a hub of independent cultural production, and show how partnerships strengthen the national rap scene.
“Macapá is a very strong place for rap in the North. I was here in 2019 with Pretogonista and Brak’s, the same crew I shared the stage with tonight. A really great bunch,” he said.
Beyond music, Allan Roosevelt, known on stage as Pelé do Manifesto, works academically in the field of literature and languages at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and runs an arts-education project in Belém. His ‘Oficina de Rima’ (Rhyme Workshop) initiative has already visited more than 250 schools in Pará.
Pelé also takes part in the TV programme ‘Bora Lá’, which focuses on the leading role of Belém’s outskirts. “This is my work: with the periphery, with Black people, with art, with music and with those who need to stay alive,” the rapper concludes.
Listen to the album “A Grande Obra” on Spotify.
