Black Alien - Babylon by Bus Vol

If you are looking into Brazilian hip-hop royalty, you’ve hit the jackpot. Babylon By Gus – Vol. 1: O Ano do Macaco (2004) by Black Alien (Gustavo de Almeida Ribeiro) is widely considered by critics and fans to be one of the greatest and most influential rap albums in Brazil's history.

Before dropping this solo masterpiece, Black Alien was already legendary for his work with the groundbreaking rap-rock group Planet Hemp (alongside Marcelo D2) and his brilliant collaborations with other icons like Sabotage. Known for his fluent English, intense cinephilia, and insane lyrical cadence, he brought a totally fresh flavor to the Brazilian scene.

Released through the independent label Deckdisc, Babylon By Gus broke the traditional mold of 90s/early 2000s Brazilian rap. Produced largely by Alexandre Basa, the album seamlessly fuses:Hardcore Hip-Hop & Boom BapReggae & Dancehall (Black Alien often adopts a "ragamuffin samurai" persona)Funk, Soul, and Jazz.